PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Craig Clifton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ushman Haszan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Clifton
vs
Haszan

179 cm
22
176 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

175 cm
28
167 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Craig Clifton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ushman Haszan!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Fedor Mirinova and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haszan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Clifton.
Clifton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Haszan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Clifton shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Haszan defends it nicely.
Haszan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Clifton sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Clifton shoots in for a double leg but Haszan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Craig Clifton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haszan lands a body shot.
Haszan misses with a straight right.
Haszan misses with a series of wild punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Haszan. Clifton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Haszan misses with a straight right.
The fighters circling - Haszan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haszan loads up on a big right hand but Clifton slips the punch.
Haszan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Clifton.
Clifton staying out of range there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Clifton is defended easily by Haszan.

Clifton decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Clifton is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Clifton seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Haszan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Haszan is looking to improve his position.
Clifton wants to control but Haszan is keeping him busy.
Haszan holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Clifton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haszan keeps working.
Haszan wants to improve his position but Clifton is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Clifton is taking a breather. Haszan says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Clifton wants to work for an arm triangle but Haszan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Haszan wants to improve his position but Clifton is controlling well.

Clifton is working for a submission of some sort.
Haszan is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clifton is pressing down on Haszan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Haszan is holding on for now.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Clifton is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Clifton is looking for a kimura but Haszan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Clifton to get the leverage.
Haszan trying to hold on to Clifton's head to control him but Clifton postures up.
Clifton trying to mount his opponent but Haszan defends it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Haszan gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Clifton to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clifton wants to control from the top but Haszan keeps moving.
Clifton stopping the sweep attempt from Haszan.

Clifton is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Haszan wants to sweep here but Clifton controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Craig Clifton will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Clifton doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Haszan makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Haszan throws out a loose jab but Clifton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Clifton ducks under a wild hook from Haszan.
Haszan stuffs the takedown attempt from Clifton. Clifton gets slowly back to his feet.
Clifton looks for a takedown but Haszan sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Craig Clifton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haszan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Clifton shoots in looking for a takedown. Haszan tries to sprawl out of it but Clifton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Haszan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Haszan lands with a straight right. Clifton didn't see that one coming.
Craig Clifton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clifton doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Haszan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Clifton fails with the takedown
and Haszan counters with a nice body shot.
Clifton shoots in for a takedown but Haszan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clifton closes this distance looking for a takedown but Haszan circles away.
Clifton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Haszan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Clifton somewhat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Clifton looks for a takedown but Haszan sprawls well.
A jab from Haszan misses.
Clifton moves away from the strike by Haszan.
Haszan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A swing and a miss from Haszan.
Haszan connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Clifton momentarily.
Clifton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Haszan swivels and escapes.
Clifton doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Clifton takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Haszan lands the left hand.
Haszan lands the left hand.
Craig Clifton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Clifton dodges the punch combination from Haszan.
Clifton takes one to the chin there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haszan misses with a hook.
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!
Haszan lands a really nice looking cross but Clifton seems unphased.
Ushman Haszan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Haszan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Clifton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Haszan as he avoids it easily.
Haszan scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Haszan throws a lazy right hand but Clifton sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Haszan misses the target.
Haszan misses with a body shot.
Clifton doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Haszan counter with a right hand.
Clifton gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Haszan counters with a stiff right hand.
Haszan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Haszan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Haszan scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Haszan has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Clifton is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Ushman Haszan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Clifton shoots in looking for a takedown but Haszan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Clifton's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haszan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Haszan wants it to stay on the feet.
Clifton walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Clifton moves out of range as Haszan strikes.
Haszan cracks Clifton with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Clifton dives in and grabs Haszan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Haszan pushes down on Clifton's head and hops out.
Haszan tests Clifton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Clifton takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Haszan throws a jab but it's blocked by Clifton.
Haszan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Haszan misses with a wild body shot.

Haszan tries to sprawl but Clifton drives through with a takedown into half guard.
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!
Haszan is trying to control but can't.
Haszan wants to get back to full guard.

Clifton is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clifton trying to control from half guard but Haszan is working away.

Clifton is trying to work for a kimura but Haszan is defending well.
Haszan is refusing to be controlled, as Clifton sits in half guard.
Clifton trying to pass the guard but Haszan defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ushman Haszan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Haszan misses with a double jab.
Haszan throws out a loose jab but Clifton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Haszan throws a hook to the side of Clifton's head but Clifton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Clifton has his takedown stuffed
and Haszan counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Clifton fails with the takedown.
Haszan lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Clifton moves out of range as Haszan strikes.
Clifton has his takedown stuffed
and Haszan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Craig Clifton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Clifton with a poor takedown
and Haszan counters with a straight right hand.
Clifton takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
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!
Clifton shoots and misses
and Haszan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Haszan tries to bum rush Clifton with a series of wild strikes but Clifton uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A big right from Haszan misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Haszan.
A jab from Haszan finds it's way through Clifton's defenses.
Clifton shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Haszan counters with a straight right hand.
Clifton with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Haszan counter with a right hand.
Clifton misses with a takedown
and Haszan counters with a nice body shot.
Haszan takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A telegraphed right hand from Haszan misses the target.
Clifton shoots in but no luck this time.
Haszan scores with a shot to the body.
Clifton looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Clifton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Haszan pinned against the cage. Haszan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Clifton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Haszan.
Haszan jabs Clifton right on the nose. Clifton blinks but takes it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haszan scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Clifton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Haszan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Clifton somewhat.
Haszan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Clifton gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Clifton takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Clifton has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Haszan finds it's way round the side to connect with Clifton's head.
Haszan stuffs the takedown attempt from Clifton. Clifton gets slowly back to his feet.
Haszan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Clifton sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Clifton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Haszan.
Clifton gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Haszan counters with a nice body shot.
Haszan misses the jab.
Clifton tries for a takedown but Haszan circles away easily
and Haszan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Haszan.
Haszan misses with an uppercut.
A jab from Haszan misses.
Clifton takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Clifton takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Haszan with a jab.
Clifton displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Haszan throws out the jab.
Haszan misses with a looping left.
Clifton blocks a jab.
Haszan bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Clifton's head backwards.
Haszan leaves Clifton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Haszan misses with a straight right.
Haszan slaps away a takedown attempt from Clifton, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haszan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Clifton doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Haszan counters with a stiff right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Haszan just misses with a punch to the body.
Haszan throws a series of punches but Clifton avoids them all with ease.
Haszan swings for the body but Clifton moves out of range.

Clifton closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Haszan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Clifton. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Haszan is not content to let Clifton control the position.

Clifton is working for a submission of some sort.
Haszan tries to roll over but Clifton keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ushman Haszan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Haszan 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ushman Haszan!
During a confident post fight interview, Ushman Haszan thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.