PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Keosayan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elias Al Haddad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Elias Al Haddad has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Keosayan
vs
Al Haddad

169 cm
23
166 lbs
6 - 5 - 2

174 cm
26
163 lbs
13 - 12 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

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 6 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sergey Keosayan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 1, fighting out of New York, Elias Al Haddad!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Haddad misses with a hook. Keosayan ducked under it nicely.
Elias Al Haddad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Al Haddad scores with the left hand. Keosayan knows he should have avoided that one.
Keosayan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Al Haddad is looking to clinch but Keosayan is avoiding it.
Keosayan tries to counter with a takedown but Al Haddad is quick to defend against it.
Keosayan swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Al Haddad lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Al Haddad wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A slapping body kick lands there for Keosayan.
Keosayan wants to slow Al Haddad down by chopping away at his legs.
Al Haddad checks a leg kick nicely.
Al Haddad is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Keosayan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Al Haddad fails in his attempt to clinch.
Keosayan has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gym Beam in the buildup to the fight.
Al Haddad tries to bum rush Keosayan with a series of wild strikes but Keosayan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Keosayan scores with a hook to the body. Al Haddad takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Al Haddad lands a jab to Keosayan's midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A clash of legs there as Al Haddad blocks the low kick.
A little jabbing left from Al Haddad on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Keosayan looks for a takedown but Al Haddad sprawls well.
Keosayan takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keosayan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Keosayan looks to land a body kick but Al Haddad moved away.
Al Haddad is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Keosayan with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Al Haddad throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Al Haddad throws a hook but Keosayan blocks it.
Keosayan misses with a straight right.
Keosayan takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Al Haddad misses with a looping right.
Keosayan drops down looking for a counter takedown but Al Haddad sprawls and moves away.

Keosayan closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Al Haddad to the mat! Al Haddad manages to get full guard.
Keosayan tries to free his leg and advance position but Al Haddad is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Al Haddad looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Keosayan trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Haddad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Keosayan stops Al Haddad from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad tries to strike from the bottom.
Keosayan slips nicely into half guard.
Al Haddad missing with punches from the bottom.
Al Haddad is looking to improve his position.
Well, if Keosayan is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Keosayan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Al Haddad is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Keosayan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Al Haddad doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Keosayan.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keosayan is looking to advance position but Al Haddad won't allow it.
Keosayan is working hard here to advance position.
Keosayan working Al Haddad over with strikes.
Al Haddad wants to control but Keosayan is keeping busy.
Keosayan throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Al Haddad to regain full guard.
Keosayan advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad is trying to maintain the position but Keosayan is very close to passing his half guard.
Keosayan tries to pass to full mount but Al Haddad defends it.
Keosayan is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Keosayan is working for a guillotine from mount but Al Haddad frees his head quite easily.
Keosayan lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Al Haddad hang on?
Keosayan putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Keosayan landing shots from mount.
Al Haddad is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Keosayan dominated that 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.

Keosayan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Keosayan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Elias Al Haddad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Al Haddad slips a straight right by Keosayan.
Al Haddad 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.
Keosayan throws a hook to the side of Al Haddad's head but Al Haddad sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Al Haddad looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Keosayan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Al Haddad moves out of range as Keosayan strikes.
Keosayan walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Al Haddad checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Al Haddad throws out a loose jab but Keosayan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Keosayan looks to throw the jab but Al Haddad is out of range.
Keosayan scores with a hook to the body. Al Haddad takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Al Haddad throws a looping overhand right but Keosayan ducks down to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keosayan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A jab from Al Haddad misses.
Al Haddad misses with a jab, cross combination.
Al Haddad lands a body shot.
Keosayan works the jab nicely.
Keosayan lands with a good body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Haddad misses with a looping right.
Al Haddad misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Keosayan.
Keosayan moves out of range as Al Haddad strikes.
Al Haddad throws a jab but it's blocked by Keosayan.
Al Haddad pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Keosayan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Al Haddad can do to turn this around?
Al Haddad loads up on a big right hand but Keosayan slips the punch.
Keosayan just misses with a punch to the body.
Elias Al Haddad seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Al Haddad closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Keosayan connects with a solid leg kick.
Al Haddad stuffs the takedown.
Keosayan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Al Haddad checks a low kick from Keosayan.
Keosayan misses with a looping right.
Al Haddad misses with a few strikes there.
Keosayan tries to counter with a takedown but Al Haddad is quick to defend against it.
No joy there for Al Haddad, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Keosayan is looking to chop away at Al Haddad's legs.
Al Haddad throws a series of punches but Keosayan moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Haddad dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Keosayan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Keosayan takes a swing at Al Haddad's ribcage but misses.
Al Haddad moves out of range of the leg kick from Keosayan.
A telegraphed right hand from Keosayan misses the target.
Elias Al Haddad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Al Haddad misses with a body shot.
Al Haddad connects with a nice looking jab.
Al Haddad tries to clinch up.
Keosayan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Al Haddad connects with a single shot there.
Al Haddad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al Haddad connects with a nice looking jab.
Keosayan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Al Haddad.
Keosayan changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Al Haddad has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Keosayan.
Keosayan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Al Haddad.
Keosayan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keosayan lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Al Haddad swings for the body but Keosayan moves out of range.
Keosayan throws a body kick that misses.
Al Haddad tries to clinch but Keosayan moves out of range.
Al Haddad throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Al Haddad dips to his left and cracks Keosayan with an uppercut!

Keosayan closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Al Haddad's guard.
Al Haddad looking to control.
Keosayan works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Al Haddad is trying to maintain the position but Keosayan is very close to passing his half guard.
Keosayan is trying to control. Al Haddad wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Keosayan connects with a nice short shot to Al Haddad's temple.
Keosayan prevents Al Haddad from improving his position.
Keosayan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Al Haddad defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Keosayan seems to be looking for submissions.
Al Haddad is staying active underneath Keosayan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Keosayan wants to pass the guard but Al Haddad is defending well.
Keosayan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Keosayan sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Sergey Keosayan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Al Haddad kicks Keosayan off and gets back to his feet.
Al Haddad avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Elias Al Haddad will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Al Haddad throws out a loose jab but Keosayan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Keosayan takes one on the button.
Nice defenses there by Keosayan.
Keosayan moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Al Haddad lands a body shot.
Al Haddad lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Keosayan circles away quickly and effectively.
Keosayan half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Al Haddad tries to clinch up but Keosayan circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Haddad swings for the body but Keosayan moves out of range.
Keosayan looks to land a right hand but Al Haddad moved out of range.
Al Haddad looks to score with a jab to the body but Keosayan is just out of range.
Al Haddad throws a lazy right hand but Keosayan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Al Haddad scores with a sloppy right hand. Keosayan should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch lands to the side of Al Haddad 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Keosayan takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Al Haddad misses with a few strikes there.
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!
Al Haddad rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Keosayan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Al Haddad throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Keosayan lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Al Haddad has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Al Haddad and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Keosayan throws a right hand that misses
and Al Haddad counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Keosayan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Al Haddad checks a low kick from Keosayan.
The crowd cheers as Al Haddad lands an impressive looking overhand right. Keosayan doesn't seem phased though.

Keosayan shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Al Haddad napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Keosayan 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.
Al Haddad taking a bit of punishment here - Keosayan scoring with strikes.
Al Haddad sneaks back into half guard.
Keosayan seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Keosayan works his way into side control.
Keosayan is chipping away with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Keosayan lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Keosayan has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Al Haddad is looking for a sweep.

Keosayan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Al Haddad manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Keosayan scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Keosayan is trying to control. Al Haddad wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Keosayan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Al Haddad wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Keosayan there.
Keosayan prevents Al Haddad from improving his position.
Al Haddad is trying to stand back up but Keosayan is controlling him
Al Haddad is trying to control but can't.
Al Haddad is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Keosayan's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Keosayan's back!
Keosayan manages to reverse the position and now he's in Al Haddad's guard. Nice work there by Keosayan.
Keosayan advances position into side control!
Al Haddad wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keosayan landing a few strikes.
Keosayan scores with a couple of short elbows.
Al Haddad manages to get back to half guard.
Keosayan is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Al Haddad!
Keosayan avoids the attempt from Al Haddad to control.
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!
Keosayan landing shots from mount.
Al Haddad squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Keosayan can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Al Haddad is looking to escape.
Keosayan putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergey Keosayan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Keosayan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28

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