PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Forrest Gryphen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Saddi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saddi has chosen Duran Duran - The Wild Boys as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Bob Saddi acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Gryphen
vs
Saddi

191 cm
23
216 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

182 cm
25
215 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Forrest Gryphen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bob Saddi!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Hugh Johnson and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saddi tries to clinch but Gryphen moves out of range.
Gryphen throws a leg kick
and Saddi counters with a three punch combo that has Gryphen backing up. Gryphen nods at Saddi to acknowledge the strikes.
Saddi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Saddi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gryphen can pounce on him.
Gryphen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Gryphen scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Gryphen misses with a two punch combination.

Gryphen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gryphen trying to control the position here.
Saddi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gryphen manages to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saddi is keen to just control but Gryphen is a slippery customer.
Gryphen wants to get back to his feet.
Saddi wants to control but Gryphen is keeping him busy.
Saddi controlling the pace.

Saddi looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Gryphen is looking for a sweep. Saddi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Saddi is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Saddi tries to pass to full mount but Gryphen defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saddi is trying to work for a kimura but Gryphen is defending well.
Saddi wants to pass to mount but Gryphen is defending the position.
Saddi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gryphen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gryphen is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Saddi seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Saddi in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gryphen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Saddi is working away from the top position though.
Gryphen wants to improve his position but Saddi is controlling well.
Gryphen wants to control but Saddi is keeping busy.
Saddi trying to control from half guard but Gryphen is working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gryphen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Saddi. Saddi obviously looking to wear him down.
Gryphen misses with a series of wild punches.
Saddi throws a right and a left that Gryphen avoids nicely.
Gryphen throws a leg kick but Saddi moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gryphen throws a leg kick which misses Saddi's front leg but catches the back leg as Saddi tries to avoid it.
Gryphen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Saddi avoids it really well and circles away.

Gryphen clinches with his opponent.
Gryphen blocks a body shot from Saddi.
Saddi looking to stall.
A hook to the body from Saddi.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gryphen avoiding damage as Saddi throws knees to the body.
Saddi tries to throw a body punch but Gryphen avoids it by throwing Saddi back against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saddi struggles to land a body shot inside as Gryphen controls his hands.
Saddi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Saddi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gryphen up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Saddi dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Saddi tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Saddi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Some wild striking there from Gryphen.
Saddi misses with a looping right.

Gryphen forces Saddi back against the cage and clinches.
Gryphen can't break the clinch.
Gryphen wants a takedown.
Gryphen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Saddi in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Saddi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gryphen throws a nice looking combination but Saddi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Saddi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Gryphen instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saddi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Gryphen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saddi lands a jab to Gryphen's midsection.
Gryphen avoids the head kick by Saddi.

Gryphen moves into range and clinches up with Saddi.
Gryphen avoiding damage as Saddi throws knees to the body.
Saddi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gryphen avoids it.
Gryphen avoiding damage as Saddi throws knees to the body.
Gryphen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saddi is defending well for now.
Saddi stalling in the clinch but Gryphen improves position.
Gryphen tries to land knees in the clinch but Saddi avoids the damage to the body.
Gryphen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saddi's elbow.
Saddi is looking to take this one to the mat.
Saddi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Saddi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saddi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saddi blocks a body shot from Gryphen.
Saddi lands a knee to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gryphen managing to block the knees to the body from Saddi.
Saddi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gryphen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saddi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gryphen.
Saddi landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Gryphen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Saddi.
Saddi trying to land knees to the body.
Gryphen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Saddi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gryphen lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Saddi or not.
Saddi avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gryphen trying to land knees to the body.
Saddi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gryphen avoids it.
Knees in the clinch landing for Saddi.
Gryphen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Saddi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gryphen blocks a body shot from Saddi.
Saddi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gryphen throws an elbow but misses.
Saddi trying to control the position but instead, Gryphen has worked for underhooks and has pushed Saddi into the cage.
Gryphen has Saddi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Saddi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Forrest Gryphen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saddi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saddi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saddi has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gryphen after a bit of a struggle.
Gryphen tries to land knees in the clinch but Saddi avoids the damage to the body.
Gryphen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saddi is defending well for now.
Saddi missing with knees to the body.
Gryphen is trying to force a seperation but Saddi has the dominant position.
Gryphen unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Saddi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gryphen wants to take the fight to the mat but Saddi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gryphen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gryphen managing to block the knees to the body from Saddi.
Saddi misses with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bob Saddi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Saddi throws a series of punches but Gryphen avoids them all with ease.
Gryphen moves out of range as Saddi throws a body kick.
Gryphen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gryphen cracks the inside of Saddi's front leg.
Gryphen throws a front kick aimed at Saddi's knee but Saddi avoids it well.

Gryphen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gryphen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gryphen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Saddi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saddi misses with a punch to the body.
Saddi is trying to drag Gryphen to the mat but Gryphen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Gryphen obliges.
Gryphen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Saddi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gryphen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gryphen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Saddi.
Gryphen tries for a takedown but Saddi manages to get underhooks.
Gryphen misses with a knee strike.
Saddi scores with a hook to the body.
Saddi avoiding damage as Gryphen throws knees to the body.
Saddi pressing his opponent against the cage.
Gryphen missing with knees to the body.
Saddi takes a knee to the side of the body.
Saddi missing with knees to the body.
Saddi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gryphen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Forrest Gryphen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bob Saddi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saddi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gryphen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gryphen avoids the head kick by Saddi.
Saddi throws a head kick that misses.
Gryphen shoots in but Saddi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Saddi checks a low kick from Gryphen.
Saddi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gryphen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Saddi.
The fighters circling - Saddi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Saddi is looking to land body kicks.

Gryphen moves into range and clinches up with Saddi.
Bob Saddi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gryphen wants to get back to striking at distance but Saddi won't allow it.
Saddi blocks a body shot from Gryphen.
Saddi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Saddi can't get the takedown.
Forrest Gryphen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bob Saddi.
Gryphen blocks an elbow strike.
Gryphen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Saddi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Saddi can't find room to land a body shot as Gryphen controls the action.
Gryphen cracks Saddi with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saddi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Saddi goes for a takedown attempt but Gryphen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gryphen misses with a two punch combination.
Forrest Gryphen is winning the standup battle so far.
Saddi shoots for a takedown but Gryphen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Saddi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gryphen is staying active underneath Saddi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bob Saddi has got the better of the ground game so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gryphen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gryphen keeping moving, preventing Saddi from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Forrest Gryphen.
I think Saddi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Saddi!
Our winner, Bob Saddi, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.