PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Saadi Al Fayyad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cyril Kalenth (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Al Fayyad kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Desert Storm. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Cyril Kalenth enters the cage!

Al Fayyad
vs
Kalenth

193 cm
22
217 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

189 cm
29
210 lbs
14 - 5 - 2

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Saadi Al Fayyad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 2, fighting out of London, Cyril Kalenth!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Dean Styles and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kalenth forces Al Fayyad back against the cage and clinches.
Al Fayyad has had enough of the clinch but Kalenth keeps him there for the moment.
Al Fayyad creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Al Fayyad has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Al Fayyad lands an elbow inside.

Al Fayyad's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kalenth doesn't manage to clinch there - Al Fayyad circles away.
Kalenth lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Al Fayyad throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kalenth lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Al Fayyad tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Al Fayyad attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kalenth is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kalenth. Al Fayyad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kalenth tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Al Fayyad manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kalenth throws out a loose jab but Al Fayyad uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kalenth misses the shot to the body.
Kalenth misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Al Fayyad.
Kalenth throws a body punch but Al Fayyad moves out of range.
Kalenth tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al Fayyad paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kalenth takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Fayyad pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Al Fayyad motions for Kalenth to come forward. Al Fayyad throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kalenth misses with a wild body shot.
Kalenth is looking to clinch but Al Fayyad is avoiding it.
Saadi Al Fayyad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Al Fayyad slips a straight right by Kalenth.
Kalenth wants to clinch up but Al Fayyad keeps it at a distance.
Kalenth fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kalenth swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kalenth misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kalenth ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Al Fayyad moves away.
Kalenth is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Al Fayyad rather than just go for the knockout.
Al Fayyad avoids the body shot from Kalenth.
Kalenth tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Al Fayyad tries to land a front kick but Kalenth steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Al Fayyad misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kalenth takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A head kick from Al Fayyad lands but Kalenth takes it in his stride.
Kalenth throws a hook to the side of Al Fayyad's head but Al Fayyad sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kalenth ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Al Fayyad moves away.
Al Fayyad avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kalenth moves in looking to clinch but Al Fayyad pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Fayyad misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Al Fayyad moves away from the strike by Kalenth.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Al Fayyad.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Fayyad throws a head kick that Kalenth semi-blocks.
Good leg kick by Al Fayyad there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kalenth misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Al Fayyad.
Kalenth tries to clinch up but Al Fayyad circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Fayyad scores with a leg kick.
Al Fayyad lands a front kick.
Al Fayyad moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Al Fayyad uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kalenth.
Kalenth throws a head kick that misses.
Kalenth wants to clinch.
Kalenth shoots in but no luck this time.
Al Fayyad keeps the fight on the outside.
Kalenth blocks a low kick nicely.
Kalenth tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Al Fayyad manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalenth moves out of range as Al Fayyad throws a body kick.
Kalenth thows a body shot but no joy.
Kalenth looks to land a combination but Al Fayyad avoids it well.
Al Fayyad throws a push kick but Kalenth slaps the foot to one side.
Al Fayyad lands a high kick!
Al Fayyad cracks the inside of Kalenth's front leg.
Al Fayyad moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kalenth. Al Fayyad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kalenth misses with an uppercut. Al Fayyad saw that one coming.
Kalenth doesn't manage to clinch there - Al Fayyad circles away.
Al Fayyad looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kalenth throws a jab when Al Fayyad was well out of range.
Al Fayyad connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Al Fayyad moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A head kick misses from Al Fayyad.
Al Fayyad fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kalenth has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kalenth avoids the head kick by Al Fayyad.
Kalenth looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Fayyad is just out of range.
Al Fayyad throws a half hearted mid kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Al Fayyad thows a body kick. Kalenth tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Al Fayyad, right into the meat.
Kalenth lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Al Fayyad circles away quickly and effectively.
Al Fayyad throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kalenth has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Al Fayyad.
Al Fayyad throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kalenth crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Al Fayyad - the referee stops the clock and Kalenth gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Al Fayyad. Kalenth manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kalenth looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Al Fayyad swats away the attempt to clinch by Kalenth.
Kalenth avoids the head kick by Al Fayyad.
Al Fayyad misses with a kick to the body.
Kalenth lands a right hook to the body.
Al Fayyad with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kalenth fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Al Fayyad doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kalenth jabs at Al Fayyad's body.
Al Fayyad walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kalenth checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Al Fayyad ducks right into an uppercut from Kalenth.
Kalenth takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Saadi Al Fayyad will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kalenth fails with a takedown attempt.
Kalenth shoots in looking for a takedown but Al Fayyad manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kalenth's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Al Fayyad throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kalenth tries to clinch up.
Kalenth on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Al Fayyad fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kalenth has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Al Fayyad throws a body kick that misses.
Kalenth looks to land a left hand but Al Fayyad moved out of range nicely.
Kalenth's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Al Fayyad throws a nice head kick!
Kalenth tries to clinch but Al Fayyad moves out of range.
Al Fayyad scoring well with a low kick there.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kalenth.
Saadi Al Fayyad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cyril Kalenth.
Al Fayyad misses with a head kick.
Al Fayyad lands a leg kick that knocks Kalenth off balance momentarily.
Kalenth checks a leg kick.
Al Fayyad fakes the leg kick and cracks Kalenth in the body.
Kalenth misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Al Fayyad.
Al Fayyad lands a head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalenth on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Al Fayyad. Al Fayyad obviously looking to wear him down.
Al Fayyad throws a low kick but Kalenth avoids it.
Al Fayyad goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Al Fayyad throws a leg kick but Kalenth moved away.
Al Fayyad misses with a low kick.
Kalenth jabs Al Fayyad to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Al Fayyad throws a leg kick but Kalenth sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kalenth tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al Fayyad paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Al Fayyad throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Saadi Al Fayyad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Al Fayyad misses with a head kick.
Kalenth lands a right hook to the body.
A jab lands there for Kalenth.
Kalenth dips to his left and cracks Al Fayyad with an uppercut!
Kalenth wants to clinch up but Al Fayyad keeps it at a distance.
A big left from Kalenth misses.
Kalenth misses with a straight right.
Kalenth takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Al Fayyad. Kalenth shrugs it off though.
Al Fayyad looks for the body kick but Kalenth saw that one coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Al Fayyad tries a head kick but it misses.

Al Fayyad gets tackled into the cage by Kalenth. Kalenth maintains the clinch.
Kalenth lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kalenth dodges an elbow strike from Al Fayyad.

Al Fayyad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Al Fayyad throws a head kick that half lands.
Al Fayyad defending well as Kalenth loads up on a big left hand.
Kalenth throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Al Fayyad stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kalenth wants to clinch.
Kalenth just misses with a punch to the body.
Al Fayyad throws a push kick but Kalenth slaps the foot to one side.
Al Fayyad slaps away a takedown attempt from Kalenth, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kalenth avoids the head kick by Al Fayyad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalenth shoots in but no luck this time.
Kalenth moves out of range as Al Fayyad throws a body kick.
Al Fayyad throws a nice inside leg kick.
Al Fayyad circles away from the clinch attempt.
Al Fayyad takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Al Fayyad looks to land a body kick but Kalenth moved away.
Al Fayyad throws a front kick aimed at Kalenth's knee but Kalenth avoids it well.
Kalenth is looking to clinch but Al Fayyad is avoiding it.
An inside leg kick lands from Al Fayyad.
Kalenth tries to close the distance and clinch up but Al Fayyad swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kalenth shoots in but no luck this time.
Kalenth digs a good body shot into Al Fayyad's ribs.
Al Fayyad throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kalenth's head.
Al Fayyad ducks under a wild hook from Kalenth.
Kalenth shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Al Fayyad as he avoids it easily.
Al Fayyad scores with a push kick.

Kalenth clinches.
Kalenth is working for takedown but Al Fayyad is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kalenth is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kalenth tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Fayyad's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalenth blocks an elbow strike from Al Fayyad.
Al Fayyad is pressed up against the cage. Kalenth has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Al Fayyad down to the mat. Al Fayyad avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kalenth throws a nice looking combination but Al Fayyad bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Al Fayyad thumps Kalenth with a low kick.
Kalenth thows a body shot but no joy.
Al Fayyad lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Al Fayyad lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kalenth misses with a wild body shot.
Kalenth takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Saadi Al Fayyad is winning the standup battle so far.
Kalenth looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Fayyad is just out of range.
Kalenth misses with a body shot.
Kalenth blocks a head kick by Al Fayyad.
Al Fayyad fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kalenth has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Al Fayyad lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
That kick from Al Fayyad tenderised Kalenth's leg. Kalenth is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kalenth has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Al Fayyad.
Kalenth takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Kalenth looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saadi Al Fayyad dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Al Fayyad looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kalenth steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Al Fayyad. That one must have hurt.
Kalenth throws an overhand right that lands on Al Fayyad's shoulder, as Al Fayyad tries to avoid the shot.
A clash of legs there as Kalenth blocks the low kick.
Kalenth tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Al Fayyad keeps Kalenth at a distance using the push kick.
Kalenth tries to clinch but Al Fayyad is having none of it.
Kalenth changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Al Fayyad ducks right into an uppercut from Kalenth.
Al Fayyad lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kalenth swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Kalenth closes the distance and clinches.
Kalenth tries to throw a body punch but Al Fayyad avoids it by throwing Kalenth back against the cage.
Kalenth misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kalenth misses with a body punch.
Al Fayyad lands an elbow that stopped Kalenth in his tracks for a moment.
Kalenth tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Fayyad creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Al Fayyad throws an elbow but misses.
Al Fayyad lands an elbow inside that Kalenth shrugs off.
Al Fayyad throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Al Fayyad with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Al Fayyad connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kalenth's face.
Al Fayyad lands a nice elbow.
Kalenth takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Al Fayyad lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Al Fayyad prevents a body shot from Kalenth.
Kalenth goes for a takedown attempt but Al Fayyad pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kalenth checks a low kick from Al Fayyad.
Both fighters circling a little - Al Fayyad finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Al Fayyad throws a half hearted mid kick.
Al Fayyad takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Cyril Kalenth has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalenth tries to bum rush Al Fayyad with a series of wild strikes but Al Fayyad uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kalenth moves out of range as Al Fayyad throws a body kick.
Nice body kick from Al Fayyad.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Al Fayyad lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kalenth will feel that in the morning.
Al Fayyad throws a half hearted mid kick.
Al Fayyad connects with a solid leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kalenth checks a leg kick.
Al Fayyad lands a high kick!
Kalenth tries to close the distance and clinch up but Al Fayyad swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Al Fayyad looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kalenth tries to clinch up but Al Fayyad circles away and keeps his distance.

Kalenth rushes Al Fayyad and presses him up against the cage.
Kalenth avoids a wild elbow strike from Al Fayyad.
Al Fayyad is trying to break the clinch but Kalenth is controlling him.
Kalenth has a couple of punches blocked by Al Fayyad.
Al Fayyad is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Al Fayyad escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Al Fayyad turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kalenth closes the distance and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Al Fayyad's face as he tries to break the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Al Fayyad just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kalenth's brow.
Al Fayyad misses with an elbow strike.
Al Fayyad creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Al Fayyad just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kalenth's brow.
Al Fayyad landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Saadi Al Fayyad is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kalenth.

Al Fayyad manages to break the clinch.
Al Fayyad swats away the attempt to clinch by Kalenth.
A slapping leg kick lands for Al Fayyad.
Kalenth sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Al Fayyad scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kalenth jabs at Al Fayyad's body.
Kalenth moves out of range as Al Fayyad throws a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Kalenth.
Kalenth wants to clinch.
Al Fayyad looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kalenth chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Al Fayyad can pounce on him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Al Fayyad throws a head kick but Kalenth moves out of range.
Al Fayyad connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kalenth works over Al Fayyad's head and body with a nice combination.
Kalenth throws an overhand right that lands on Al Fayyad's shoulder, as Al Fayyad tries to avoid the shot.
Kalenth is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kalenth looks to land a right hand but Al Fayyad moved out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kalenth takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A solid leg kick lands there for Al Fayyad.
Kalenth on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Al Fayyad. Al Fayyad obviously looking to wear him down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saadi Al Fayyad showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Al Fayyad, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saadi Al Fayyad!
An out of breath Saadi Al Fayyad thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.