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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sami Saalistaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nuib Sharaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 175 cm
25
177 lbs
2 - 1 - 0 |
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160 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sami Saalistaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nuib Sharaz!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Eliza Hachem and Skip Squint.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saalistaja will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A big left from Sharaz misses.
Sharaz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sharaz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saalistaja circles away quickly and effectively.
Sharaz shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Saalistaja eats them both and turns towards Sharaz to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Saalistaja shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Saalistaja is defended easily by Sharaz.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sami Saalistaja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saalistaja shoots in and drives through. Sharaz sprawls well.
Sharaz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sharaz rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Saalistaja makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Saalistaja gets a clinch.
Saalistaja blocking some punches.
Saalistaja manages to break the clinch.
Sharaz throws a hook to the side of Saalistaja's head but Saalistaja sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Saalistaja lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saalistaja tries to clinch up.
Sharaz swings widly with a right hand
and Saalistaja holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sharaz is trying to break free.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saalistaja slows down the pace here.
Sharaz throws a punch but it's blocked by Saalistaja.
Sharaz lands with a short shot to the head.
Sharaz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Saalistaja has him pressed against the cage.
Sharaz working aggressively here.
Sharaz can't break the clinch.
Sharaz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sharaz looks winded!
Saalistaja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sharaz should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Saalistaja dives in and grabs Sharaz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sharaz pushes down on Saalistaja's head and hops out.
Sharaz throws a body punch but Saalistaja moves out of range.
Sharaz misses with a few strikes there.
Saalistaja rushes Sharaz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sharaz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sharaz is trying to break free.
Saalistaja is trying to maintain a safe position but Sharaz gets an underhook and turns Saalistaja into the cage.
Saalistaja scores a nice knee to the body.
Sharaz blocks the elbow strike.
Sharaz wants to stall.
Sharaz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saalistaja pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sharaz throws a hook but Saalistaja avoids it easily.
Saalistaja wants to clinch up but Sharaz keeps it at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Saalistaja.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saalistaja looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sharaz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sharaz tries to keep at a distance but Saalistaja has taken the fight into the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saalistaja tries for a takedown but Sharaz manages to get underhooks.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Sharaz has eaten all the pies!
Sharaz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sharaz swings wildly with an uppercut but Saalistaja uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sharaz swings wildly with an uppercut but Saalistaja uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saalistaja is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sharaz is defending well.
Sharaz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Saalistaja has him pressed against the cage.
Sharaz slowing the pace effectively.
Saalistaja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sharaz misses with an uppercut
and Saalistaja counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Nuib Sharaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saalistaja fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Saalistaja has managed to clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sharaz wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Saalistaja has him pressed against the cage.
Sharaz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sharaz tries to throw a body punch but Saalistaja avoids it by throwing Sharaz back against the cage.
Saalistaja escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sharaz lands with an overhand left.
Saalistaja displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sharaz throws out the jab.
Saalistaja fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sharaz sprawls well initially but Saalistaja persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Saalistaja will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Saalistaja is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sharaz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Saalistaja.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sami Saalistaja dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Saalistaja keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sharaz.
Saalistaja slips under a jab.
Saalistaja wants to clinch up but Sharaz keeps it at a distance.
A swing and a miss from Sharaz.
Sharaz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sami Saalistaja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saalistaja fails in his attempt to clinch.
Saalistaja is looking to clinch but Sharaz is avoiding it.
Sharaz paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The fight stays on the outside here - Saalistaja looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Horrible takedown by Saalistaja or perhaps it was just good defense by Sharaz which made him look bad.
Saalistaja takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sharaz throws a lazy uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Sharaz in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Sharaz is breathing heavily.
Sharaz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A nice leg kick lands there from Saalistaja.
Saalistaja is looking to clinch.
Sharaz misses with a straight right.
Saalistaja scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saalistaja wants to stand up but Sharaz is controlling the position.
Saalistaja missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sharaz is refusing to be controlled, as Saalistaja sits in half guard.
Saalistaja perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Sami Saalistaja.
Saalistaja shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Sharaz manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sharaz preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saalistaja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Saalistaja loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Saalistaja throws a big elbow that misses.
Saalistaja working some strikes from top position.
Saalistaja wants to control from the top but Sharaz keeps moving.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saalistaja throwing strikes but missing.
Saalistaja won't allow Sharaz to get back to his feet.
Sharaz keeping moving, preventing Saalistaja from controlling successfully.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Sami Saalistaja.
Saalistaja closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sharaz circles away.
Saalistaja shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sharaz as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sami Saalistaja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sharaz lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sharaz misses with a straight right.
Saalistaja closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Sharaz did well to prevent Saalistaja getting side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sharaz wants to get back to full guard.
Sharaz is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Saalistaja prevents Sharaz from standing back up.
Saalistaja drops an elbow to the side of Sharaz's head.
Saalistaja wants to pass the guard but Sharaz is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sharaz is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sami Saalistaja dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!
Saalistaja rushes Sharaz and presses him up against the cage.
Saalistaja trying to control the position but instead, Sharaz has worked for underhooks and has pushed Saalistaja into the cage.
Saalistaja escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Saalistaja fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Saalistaja is looking to clinch.
Sharaz throws a looping overhand right but Saalistaja ducks down to avoid it.
Sharaz misses with a straight right.
Sharaz looks to land a left hand but Saalistaja moved out of range nicely.
Saalistaja uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sharaz.
Sharaz feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Saalistajas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
The fight stays on the outside here - Saalistaja looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Saalistaja tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sharaz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sharaz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Saalistaja takes a body punch but keeps moving.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saalistaja fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sharaz, pushing him back against the cage.
Saalistaja leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sharaz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sharaz misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saalistaja.
Saalistaja looking to stall.
Saalistaja blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saalistaja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Sharaz as Saalistaja shoots in.
Nice defenses there by Saalistaja.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Saalistaja.
Saalistaja misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Nuib Sharaz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sharaz is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Saalistaja asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Sharaz avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Saalistaja.
Saalistaja has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saalistaja clinches up against the cage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saalistaja.
Sharaz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Saalistaja breaks the clinch.
Saalistaja tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sharaz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saalistaja looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Saalistaja fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saalistaja is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saalistaja tries to close the distance and clinch but Sharaz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sharaz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Saalistaja tries to clinch up but Sharaz circles away and keeps his distance.
Saalistaja tries to clinch but Sharaz moves out of range.
Saalistaja slips a straight right by Sharaz.
Saalistaja shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sharaz as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sami Saalistaja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sharaz misses with a straight right.
A combination from Sharaz does no damage.
A big left from Sharaz misses.
Saalistaja darts in and clinches Sharaz up against the cage.
Saalistaja landing knees to the body.
Sharaz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sharaz tries to throw a body punch but Saalistaja avoids it by throwing Sharaz back against the cage.
Saalistaja throws a head punch that misses.
Saalistaja pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saalistaja shoots in looking for a takedown. Sharaz tries to sprawl out of it but Saalistaja keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sharaz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sharaz throws an overhand right that lands on Saalistaja's shoulder, as Saalistaja tries to avoid the shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saalistaja is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sami Saalistaja is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sharaz is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Sharaz misses with the combination.
And that's the end of the fight!
Sami Saalistaja showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Saalistaja has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sami Saalistaja!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
69% |
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