PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Equinox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saddam Hussain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Hussain's choice of entrance music: Dabke Huwara. John Equinox has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Equinox
vs
Hussain

172 cm
25
146 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

162 cm
24
140 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Equinox!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Saddam Hussain!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Seu Braga and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Equinox ducks under a wild hook from Hussain.
A jab from Hussain misses.
Equinox drops his hands momentarily and Hussain takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hussain swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Equinox fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hussain misses with a looping right.
Hussain thows a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hussain throws the left hand but Equinox avoids the punch easily.

Equinox moves into the clinch.
Equinox lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hussain backwards.
Equinox tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Hussain pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox moves out of range as Hussain strikes.
Equinox is looking to clinch.
A punch lands to the side of Equinox 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Equinox tries to clinch there but Hussain circles away.
Nice defenses there by Equinox.
Hussain digs a good hook to Equinox's body.
Equinox fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hussain manages to avoid it.
Equinox moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Equinox needs to keep his hands up - Hussain had a free shot at his head there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussain misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Equinox counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A right hook to the body lands for Hussain.
Hussain wants to get back to striking at distance but Equinox won't allow it.
Hussain blocking some punches.
Equinox blocks a body shot from Hussain.
Hussain wants to break the clinch but can't.
Equinox swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Equinox wants to break free but Hussain has control.
Hussain makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Hussain escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hussain throws the left hand but Equinox avoids the punch easily.
Hussain takes a swing at Equinox's ribcage but misses.
Hussain throws a shot from downtown. Equinox moves away and avoids it.
Equinox misses with a jab, cross combination.
Equinox ducks under a wild hook from Hussain.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussain misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Equinox counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hussain throws a hook to the side of Equinox's head but Equinox sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hussain swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Equinox connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hussain keeps the fight on the outside.
Hussain waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Equinox.
Hussain pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hussain misses with a body shot
and Equinox counters with a left to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Equinox looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Hussain.
Equinox wants to clinch up but Hussain keeps it at a distance.
Equinox avoids the body shot from Hussain.
Equinox doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hussain thows a body shot but no joy.
Hussain tests Equinox's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Equinox has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Equinox there as he acknowledges the shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saddam Hussain dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch but Hussain swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Equinox avoids the body shot from Hussain.
A big right from Hussain misses.
Equinox slips a jab from Hussain.
Equinox doesn't manage to clinch there - Hussain circles away.
A slow jab from Hussain misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Equinox slips under a jab.
Equinox slips under a jab.
Hussain moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox slips a jab from Hussain.
Hussain misses with a hook to the body
and Equinox counters with a nice body shot.
Equinox scores with a nice head shot.
Hussain throws an overhand right that lands on Equinox's shoulder, as Equinox tries to avoid the shot.
Equinox uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hussain.
Hussain takes a swing at Equinox's ribcage but misses.
Equinox slips a jab from Hussain.
Equinox fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Equinox slips under a jab.
Hussain thuds his right hand into Equinox's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Equinox misses with a two punch combination.
Hussain missing with a left hand there. Equinox was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Equinox wants to clinch.
Hussain throws a shot from downtown. Equinox moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussain throws a hook but Equinox avoids it easily.
Saddam Hussain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Equinox keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hussain.
Equinox takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hussain connects with a right hand. Equinox shakes it off.
Nice defenses there by Equinox.
Equinox doesn't manage to clinch there - Hussain circles away.
Hussain lands a head shot.
Hussain misses the jab.
Hussain misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Equinox moves in looking to clinch but Hussain pushes him off.
Hussain misses the shot to the body.
Equinox moves out of range of the strikes.
Hussain throws a hook to the side of Equinox's head but Equinox sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Equinox ducks under a wild hook from Hussain.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hussain swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Equinox uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hussain.
Hussain throws a lazy right hand but Equinox sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saddam Hussain showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hussain misses with a body shot.
Hussain lands a glancing blow to the side of Equinox's head.
Hussain throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hussain throws a sloppy body shot

and Equinox counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Equinox lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hussain backwards.
Hussain wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Equinox tries to break the clinch but Hussain is controlling the position.
Hussain tries to throw a body punch but Equinox avoids it by throwing Hussain back against the cage.
Equinox misses with some punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Equinox.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hussain. Equinox does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hussain looks to land a right hand but Equinox moved out of range.
Hussain throws a body punch but Equinox moves out of range.
Hussain lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hussain lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Equinox circles away quickly and effectively.
Hussain scores with a jab. Equinox acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hussain misses the shot to the body.
Equinox avoids the body shot from Hussain.
A shot to the body from Hussain misses

and Equinox counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Equinox.
Hussain blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hussain throws a punch but it's blocked by Equinox.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hussain wants to break free but Equinox has control.

Hussain pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Equinox doesn't manage to clinch there - Hussain circles away.
Hussain misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Equinox pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch but Hussain swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A big right from Hussain misses.
Hussain throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hussain ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Equinox moves away.
Nice defenses there by Equinox.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussain looks to throw the jab but Equinox is out of range.
Hussain thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hussain throws a right and a left that Equinox avoids nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Hussain misses the target.
Equinox moves out of range of the strikes.
A slow jab from Hussain misses its intended target.
Equinox defending well as Hussain loads up on a big left hand.
Hussain looks to throw the jab but Equinox is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hussain misses with a hook. Equinox ducked under it nicely.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hussain paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hussain takes a swing at Equinox's ribcage but misses.
Hussain tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Equinox was well out of range. Poor timing from Hussain.
A big right from Equinox misses.
Hussain throws a series of punches but Equinox moves out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Equinox is looking to clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Hussain.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but John Equinox did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Equinox misses with a hook. Hussain ducked under it nicely.
Hussain scores with a crisp jab that stopped Equinox in his tracks.
Equinox misses with a body shot.
Hussain takes one to the side of the head.
A jab from Equinox misses.
Hussain throws a series of strikes that have Equinox backpedaling.
Equinox is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hussain swats away the attempt to clinch by Equinox.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussain throws a body punch but Equinox moves out of range.
Hussain throws an overhand right that lands on Equinox's shoulder, as Equinox tries to avoid the shot.
Hussain throws a hook but Equinox avoids it easily.
Equinox fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saddam Hussain seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hussain throws a big shot that misses.
Hussain throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Equinox sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Equinox tries to clinch but Hussain is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Equinox ducks under a wild hook from Hussain.
Equinox takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Equinox walks into a left hand.
Hussain throws a sloppy body shot
and Hussain takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Equinox slips under a jab.
Hussain throws a one two combo.

Equinox is rocked!
Equinox slips a jab from Hussain.
Hussain throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Equinox is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox tries to clinch up.
Equinox misses with a body shot.
Hussain swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hussain thows a left - swing and a miss!
A big right from Hussain misses.
Equinox tries to clinch up.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hussain swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Equinox has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hussain throws a punch but it's blocked by Equinox.
Hussain can't break the clinch.
Equinox misses with a hook to the ribs.
A hook to the body from Hussain.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hussain.
Equinox lands a right hand.
Hussain misses with the head strike.
Equinox tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hussain's elbow.

Hussain breaks from the clinch.
Hussain throws a big shot that misses.
Equinox takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hussain looks to land a right hand but Equinox moved out of range.
Hussain throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hussain throws a good cross that connects.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hussain paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saddam Hussain dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Equinox slips a jab from Hussain.
Hussain swats away the attempt to clinch by Equinox.
Hussain throws a big shot that misses.
Hussain misses with a body shot

and Equinox counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hussain wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Equinox throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hussain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Equinox tries to clinch but Hussain is having none of it.
A swing and a miss from Hussain.
Hussain ducks under a wild hook from Equinox.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussain punishes Equinox's body with a nice straight punch.
Hussain throws the kick towards the body but Equinox avoids it.
Hussain missing with a left hand there. Equinox was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hussain misses with a shot to the body

and Equinox counters by clinching up.
Equinox keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hussain's efforts to push away.

Hussain breaks from the clinch.
A shot to the body from Equinox misses
and Hussain counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hussain just misses with a punch to the body.
Equinox is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A telegraphed right hand from Hussain misses the target.
Equinox uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hussain.
Hussain jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Equinox slips under a jab.
Hussain looks to score with a jab to the body but Equinox is just out of range.
Hussain misses with a straight right.
Equinox throws a shot from downtown. Hussain moves away and avoids it.
Hussain ducks under a wild hook from Equinox.
John Equinox has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussain connects with a right hand. Equinox shakes it off.
Equinox moves in looking to clinch but Hussain pushes him off.
Equinox fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hussain moves out of range as Equinox strikes.
Hussain misses with a wild body shot.
Equinox tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Equinox slips under a jab from Hussain.
Hussain falls off balance throwing a combination

and Equinox counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Equinox.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hussain lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hussain blocks an uppercut.
Hussain takes a shot to the head.

Hussain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hussain misses with an uppercut. Equinox saw that one coming.
Equinox steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hussain.
Hussain works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Oh Equinox is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hussain throws a lazy right hand but Equinox sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Equinox seems to have got his legs back now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hussain misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Equinox.
Saddam Hussain is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Equinox ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saddam Hussain comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hussain has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 46:49
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 46:49
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saddam Hussain!
Saddam Hussain is the new bantamweight champion!