PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sadiq Hossein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ba Lil III (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.

Hossein
vs
Lil III

170 cm
34
152 lbs
26 - 16 - 4

180 cm
32
160 lbs
21 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

LOPS 160q + 90% Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 16 - 4, fighting out of New York, Sadiq Hossein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Ba Lil III!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Russell Pearce and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for Lil III.
Lil III dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Some wild striking there from Hossein.
Hossein throws a head kick that misses.
Hossein tries to land a leg kick but Lil III saw it coming and moves away.
Hossein moves out of range of the strikes.
Hossein tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hossein blocks a low kick nicely.
Hossein has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lil III finds it's way round the side to connect with Hossein's head.
Lil III tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hossein was well out of range. Poor timing from Lil III.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Hossein is predictable there

and Lil III decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hossein's guard.
Hossein looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hossein is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hossein seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Hossein managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil III loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lil III wants to control from the top but Hossein keeps moving.

Lil III avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hossein managing to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lil III lunges at Hossein with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hossein's hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hossein. Lil III does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sadiq Hossein is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lil III dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hossein fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lil III has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Lil III looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hossein is fending him off so far but Lil III persists. Nope, Hossein circles away and we're back to standing.
Hossein throws a right hand that misses

and Lil III counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Lil III wants to control from the top but Hossein keeps moving.
Lil III trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lil III is looking to work some ground and pound but Hossein has wrist control.
Lil III forces his way into half guard.
Hossein avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lil III.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hossein manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hossein preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lil III loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lil III throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hossein wants to sweep but no luck.
Lil III lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hossein keeping moving, preventing Lil III from controlling successfully.
Hossein is trying to control the position but Lil III postures up.
Lil III keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hossein's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lil III trying to control but Hossein is working from the bottom.
Lil III distracts Hossein with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hossein is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lil III in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hossein trying to keep a closed guard but Lil III is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sadiq Hossein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hossein takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lil III fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hossein has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hossein on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Lil III scores with a jab to the jaw.
Lil III throws a nice outside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ba Lil III dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice uppercut there from Hossein.
Lil III moves out of range of the body kick.
Lil III takes one on the button.
Hossein throws a right hand that Lil III ducks under and follows up with a left that Lil III also avoids with ease.
Hossein's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Lil III connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hossein scrambles back to his feet.
Hossein throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lil III.
Lil III throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hossein on the side of the head.
Hossein throws a looping overhand right but Lil III ducks down to avoid it.
Hossein fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hossein looks to score with a jab to the body but Lil III is just out of range.
A slow jab from Hossein misses its intended target.
Hossein pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lil III is out of range and Hossein settles back down.
Hossein throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hossein avoids the body shot from Lil III.
Lil III has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hossein takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hossein takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hossein throws a lazy uppercut

and Lil III counters with a takedown into side control.

Lil III thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The strikes coming from Lil III are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Hossein is looking to regain half guard here but Lil III keeps moving and retains side control.
Lil III lands a decent elbow from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lil III sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Hossein is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Hossein tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Lil III wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hossein takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

Lil III is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hossein is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
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!

Lil III wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hossein, who protects the arm well.
You can see the frustration on Hossein's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lil III moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Lil III connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hossein some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lil III in side control lands a decent elbow.

Lil III working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hossein is looking to regain half guard here but Lil III keeps moving and retains side control.
Ba Lil III has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hossein takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lil III trying to control the action but Hossein is working from the bottom.
The strikes coming from Lil III are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Lil III tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Lil III is chipping away with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ba Lil III showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hossein's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hossein moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Lil III bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hossein's head backwards.
A jab from Lil III finds it's way through Hossein's defenses.
Hossein tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hossein cracks Lil III with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hossein swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Lil III counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Lil III trying to control from half guard but Hossein is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lil III missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hossein is trying to control but can't.

Lil III is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Lil III is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hossein is just riding it out for now. Lil III eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil III keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Lil III missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hossein moves into full guard.
Hossein keeping moving, preventing Lil III from controlling successfully.
Hossein keeping full guard, as Lil III tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hossein utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hossein is trying to control the position but Lil III postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hossein throws a shot from downtown. Lil III moves away and avoids it.
Lil III gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Lil III has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Lil III ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lil III throws a series of punches but Hossein moves out of range.
Lil III gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hossein.
Lil III stuns Hossein with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lil III jabs Hossein to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Lil III throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hossein stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hossein swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hossein blocks a jab.
Lil III takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hossein tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hossein throws a body shot but no joy.
Hossein checks a leg kick.
Hossein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lil III.
An inside leg kick lands from Lil III.
Ba Lil III is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hossein throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Lil III on the side of the head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Lil III.
Lil III keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lil III blocks a low kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lil III lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Lil III cracks a nice hook into Hossein's ribs.
Lil III connects with an inside leg kick.
Hossein moves out of range of the strikes.
Lil III uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hossein.
Ba Lil III seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hossein rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Lil III counters with a shoot takedown. Hossein fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lil III stays in close to Hossein's body and controls the position.
Lil III throws a big right hand that misses.
Lil III sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Lil III trying to control but Hossein is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ba Lil III comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lil III has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ba Lil III!
After winning the bout, Ba Lil III thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.