PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Charles Clayton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elias Al Haddad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Clayton comes to the cage accompanied by Lose Yourself. Charles Clayton had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Clayton
vs
Al Haddad

180 cm
24
164 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

174 cm
20
163 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charles Clayton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Elias Al Haddad!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Dillan Fox and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Clayton thows a body shot but no joy.
Al Haddad moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Al Haddad on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Clayton does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Clayton takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Al Haddad lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Clayton backs up against the cage.
Clayton misses the shot to the body.

Al Haddad rushes Clayton and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Al Haddad using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Clayton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Clayton throws an elbow that misses.
Al Haddad tries to work over Clayton's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Al Haddad misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Clayton has a couple of punches blocked by Al Haddad.
Al Haddad's coach down at Midnight MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Al Haddad's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Al Haddad taking a breather.
Al Haddad lands a hook that snaps the head of Clayton backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Al Haddad.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Haddad stalling.
Al Haddad lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Haddad is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Clayton taking a breather.
Al Haddad wants to break the clinch but can't.
Clayton's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Al Haddad blocks an elbow strike from Clayton.
Clayton is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Al Haddad is defending well for now.
Clayton creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Al Haddad lands a nice shot to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Clayton blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Clayton displaying some good clinch control by pressing Al Haddad up against the cage.

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

Al Haddad darts in and clinches Clayton up against the cage.

Al Haddad breaks from the clinch.
Clayton is looking to land body kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Clayton manages to avoid it.
Clayton fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Al Haddad checks it well.
Al Haddad scores with a crisp jab that stopped Clayton in his tracks.
Al Haddad uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Clayton has time to react.
Al Haddad misses with a series of wild punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A solid body kick from Clayton.
Clayton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Al Haddad sprawls well. Al Haddad wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Clayton gets slowly back to his feet.
Clayton takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Clayton swings for the body but Al Haddad moves out of range.

Al Haddad drives through and clinches with Clayton against the cage.
Al Haddad lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Clayton backwards.
Clayton trying to land knees to the body.
Al Haddad has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Clayton.
A short left from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad is trying to force a seperation but Clayton has the dominant position.
Al Haddad pushes Clayton back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Al Haddad working hard to break the clinch.
Al Haddad looking to stall.
Clayton is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Al Haddad is defending well for now.
Al Haddad taking a breather.
Clayton looking for a takedown.
Al Haddad looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Al Haddad creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Al Haddad is trying to break the clinch but Clayton has him pressed against the cage.
Al Haddad blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Al Haddad can't find room to land a body shot as Clayton controls the action.
Clayton prevents a body shot from Al Haddad.
Clayton blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad can't find room to land a body shot as Clayton controls the action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Al Haddad.
Clayton being controlled against the cage.
Clayton is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Clayton is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Al Haddad is defending well for now.
Al Haddad tries a knee to the head but Clayton blocks it.
Al Haddad presses Clayton against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Clayton misses with a knee to the head.
Clayton tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Al Haddad avoids it.
Clayton missing with knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Clayton unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Al Haddad blocks the elbow strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Al Haddad.
Clayton has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Al Haddad avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Al Haddad 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.

Al Haddad tries to bum rush Clayton with a series of wild strikes but Clayton uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Al Haddad lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Al Haddad scores with a hook.
Al Haddad closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Al Haddad takes the fight into the clinch.
Al Haddad tries to circle away but Clayton has him pinned against the cage.
Al Haddad managing to block the knees to the body from Clayton.
Clayton tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Al Haddad misses with a body punch.
Al Haddad tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Clayton tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Haddad's elbow.
Al Haddad lands a shot to the body.
Clayton can't find room to land a body shot as Al Haddad controls the action.
Clayton lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Haddad struggles to land a body shot inside as Clayton controls his hands.
Al Haddad can't find room to land a body shot as Clayton controls the action.
Al Haddad tries to work over Clayton's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Al Haddad taking a breather.
Clayton leaning against his opponent.
Clayton tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Clayton misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Al Haddad.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Al Haddad.

Al Haddad manages to break the clinch.
Clayton checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Al Haddad thuds his right hand into Clayton's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Clayton takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Al Haddad motions for Clayton to come forward. Al Haddad throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Al Haddad swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Al Haddad.
Sloppy strikes from Al Haddad. Those never looked like landing.

Clayton bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Al Haddad taking a bit of punishment here - Clayton scoring with strikes.
Al Haddad looks to move to half guard but instead Clayton has passed into mount! Damn!
Al Haddad really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Clayton. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Al Haddad gets back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Clayton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Al Haddad keeps working.
Al Haddad has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Clayton is working away from the top position though.
Clayton slows the pace down in half guard.
Al Haddad tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clayton prevents Al Haddad from improving his position.
Clayton scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Clayton wants to pass the guard but Al Haddad is defending well.
Clayton lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Clayton stops Al Haddad from getting back to his feet.
Al Haddad wants to control but Clayton is keeping busy.
Clayton has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Clayton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Al Haddad is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Al Haddad looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Al Haddad is not content to let Clayton control the position.
Clayton is looking to advance position but Al Haddad won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Al Haddad is pressing down on Clayton's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Al Haddad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Clayton misses with a straight left.
Al Haddad keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Clayton shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Al Haddad is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Al Haddad tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Al Haddad is trying to control but can't.
Al Haddad won't allow Clayton to pass to mount.
Al Haddad tries to get to full guard but Clayton has control of the leg.
Al Haddad moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clayton postures up.
Clayton trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Haddad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A punch combination from Al Haddad misses.
Al Haddad lands with a nice combination. Clayton backs away looking to recover.
Al Haddad connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Clayton checks a low kick from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad lands the left hand.
Al Haddad lands with an overhand left.
Elias Al Haddad seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Clayton avoids the head kick by Al Haddad.
Charles Clayton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clayton throws out a loose jab but Al Haddad uses good head movement to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Clayton. Al Haddad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Al Haddad swings and misses with a shot to the body

so Clayton counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Al Haddad looking to hit a scissor sweep but Clayton is one step ahead there.
Al Haddad wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Clayton manages to pass to side control.
Clayton is trying to control the action in half guard but Al Haddad is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Clayton is really struggling to control Al Haddad but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Al Haddad trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clayton is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Al Haddad is squirming around, avoiding Clayton's attempts to control the action.
Clayton in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Clayton trying to control but Al Haddad is having none of it.
Clayton lands a big shot there that rocks Al Haddad but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Clayton looking to finish Al Haddad with some ground and pound. This is bad for Al Haddad!
Clayton lands a big elbow.
Clayton prevents Al Haddad from getting the reversal.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Clayton looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Clayton looking to control but Al Haddad is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Clayton looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Charles Clayton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The referee warns Al Haddad that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Al Haddad wants to hold on but Clayton pushes him away.
Charles Clayton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Al Haddad is trying to stand up.
Elias Al Haddad is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Al Haddad is squirming around, avoiding Clayton's attempts to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Clayton raining down shots from the mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Charles Clayton showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Al Haddad 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elias Al Haddad!
After the big win, Elias Al Haddad made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.