PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jon Richard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ali Dadaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ali Dadaev will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Richard
vs
Dadaev

163 cm
19
162 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

179 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jon Richard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ali Dadaev!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Damien Edna and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richard connects with a good right hand that stumbles Dadaev. Dadaev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

It looks like Ali Dadaev has been cut.
Dadaev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Richard steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Dadaev. That one must have hurt.
Richard wants to clinch up but Dadaev keeps it at a distance.
Richard could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Dadaev clinches up with Richard and pushes him back against the cage.

Dadaev pulls guard successfully.
Dadaev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dadaev trying to control the position here.
Richard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dadaev manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Richard is desperately trying to improve his position but Dadaev has a good base and remains in mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richard gets back to half guard.

Dadaev stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Richard to get to his feet.

Richard gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Dadaev lands a hook to the side of the head.
Richard stops a takedown attempt from Dadaev.
Richard is trying to pull guard but Dadaev turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Richard fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Dadaev manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Dadaev trying to control the position here.
Dadaev lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Richard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dadaev tries to take Richard's back but instead Richard uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Richard keeping hold of Dadaev's head, controlling as best he can.
Dadaev moves into full mount! Richard won't be happy about that!
Richard is squirming around, avoiding Dadaev's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richard tries to hold on but Dadaev pushes him away.
Dadaev punching from mount but Richard doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Dadaev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Richard is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Richard trying desperately to get to his feet.
Richard really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Dadaev trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dadaev throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Richard because Dadaev loaded up on that one.
Dadaev trying to control but Richard is having none of it.
Richard is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Dadaev throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Richard because Dadaev loaded up on that one.
Richard wants to control but Dadaev is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Richard tries to improve his position but instead Dadaev has taken his back!
Richard is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Dadaev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ali Dadaev's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Dadaev throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Richard's head.
Dadaev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Richard circles away.

Richard closes the distance and clinches.
Richard can't get the takedown.
Dadaev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Dadaev is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jon Richard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ali Dadaev.
Dadaev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Richard.
Dadaev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Dadaev manages to break the clinch.
Jon Richard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Richard lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dadaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richard fails to land the takedown.
Dadaev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Richard sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dadaev somewhat.
Dadaev is breathing heavily.
Richard tries to clinch there but Dadaev circles away.
Dadaev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Richard.
Richard tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dadaev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Richard sizes up Dadaev with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Richard misses with a body kick.
Dadaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Richard paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Dadaev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dadaev can't get the takedown.
Richard goes for a takedown attempt but Dadaev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Richard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Richard stuffs the takedown.
Richard has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Dadaev stuffs the takedown attempt from Richard. Richard gets slowly back to his feet.
Dadaev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Richard pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dadaev tries for a takedown but Richard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Richard changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dadaev tries to avoid it but Richard manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dadaev to the ground. Dadaev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Richard tries to clinch up but Dadaev circles away and keeps his distance.
Richard shoots in looking for a takedown. Dadaev tries to sprawl out of it but Richard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dadaev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Dadaev drives through and clinches with Richard against the cage.
Dadaev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Richard avoids it.

Dadaev manages to break the clinch.
Richard shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dadaev as he jumps to the side.
Dadaev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Richard swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richard shoots in looking for a takedown. Dadaev tries to sprawl out of it but Richard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dadaev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Dadaev misses with a low kick as Richard jumps back.
Dadaev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dadaev wants it to stay on the feet.
Dadaev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Richard avoids it really well and circles away.
Dadaev shoots for a takedown but Richard saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Richard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dadaev defends it nicely.
Richard shoots in looking for a takedown. Dadaev tries to sprawl out of it but Richard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dadaev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ali Dadaev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ali Dadaev's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Dadaev.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Richard is defended easily by Dadaev.

Dadaev forces Richard back against the cage and clinches.
Dadaev lands a body shot.
Dadaev jumps guard but Richard turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Richard wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dadaev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jon Richard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ali Dadaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richard tries to pull guard but Dadaev holds him up against the cage and eventually Richard drops back down to his feet.
Dadaev fails to pull guard.
Dadaev wants a takedown.
Dadaev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Richard jumps guard but Dadaev turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Dadaev manages to break the clinch.
Richard throws a nice looking combination but Dadaev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Dadaev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Richard sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dadaev somewhat.
Dadaev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Richard but Richard pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Richard is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dadaev has a takedown stuffed.
Richard looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dadaev lands with a kick to the ribs.
Dadaev tries to clinch up but Richard circles away and keeps his distance.
Dadaev shoots in looking for a takedown. Richard tries to sprawl out of it but Dadaev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Richard manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Richard fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jon Richard is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richard shoots in looking for a takedown. Dadaev tries to sprawl out of it but Richard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dadaev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Dadaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Richard misses with a takedown attempt - Dadaev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dadaev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Richard misses with a low kick.
Richard fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dadaev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Richard shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Dadaev sprawls well. Dadaev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Richard gets slowly back to his feet.
Richard throws a head kick that misses.
Richard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Richard shoots in for a double leg but Dadaev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Dadaev throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Richard.
Richard takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Richard throws a right hand that Dadaev ducks under and follows up with a left that Dadaev also avoids with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ali Dadaev.
I've got Dadaev winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ali Dadaev!