PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between The Sandman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hadi Ozturk (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.

Sandman
vs
Ozturk

180 cm
23
210 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

186 cm
24
192 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

AnonymouS
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

KAISER
MMA Hype Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, The Sandman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Hadi Ozturk!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ozturk fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sandman.
Sandman checks a leg kick.
Sandman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ozturk circles away.
Sandman connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ozturk lands a slapping body shot.
Ozturk throws a wild body kick that Sandman sees coming a mile off.
Sandman half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ozturk throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A thudding body kick lands there by Ozturk!
Nice body kick there by Ozturk.
Ozturk delivers a nice body kick.
Sandman is breathing heavily.
Ozturk throws a sloppy head kick and Sandman moves out of range easily.
Sandman attempts a counter takedown but Ozturk avoids it well and moves away.
Ozturk delivers a nice body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice defenses there by Ozturk.
Sandman looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ozturk misses with a kick to the body.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ozturk. Sandman shrugs it off though.
Ozturk tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sandman was well out of range. Poor timing from Ozturk.
Ozturk throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sandman drops down looking for a counter takedown but Ozturk sprawls and moves away.

Sandman fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ozturk sprawls well initially but Sandman persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ozturk is looking to control Sandman's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ozturk avoid being mounted?
Ozturk really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sandman. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sandman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sandman is looking to take a break and control but Ozturk is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ozturk can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ozturk is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sandman is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ozturk sees it coming and defends easily.
Sandman wants to free his trapped foot but Ozturk is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sandman 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.
Sandman content to control rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ozturk looks like he's trying to stand up.
Sandman not doing much here.
Ozturk is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandman tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ozturk knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Sandman wants to control but Ozturk is keeping him busy.
Sandman drops an elbow to the side of Ozturk's head.
Ozturk is looking to control Sandman's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ozturk avoid being mounted?
Sandman trying to control the pace.

Ozturk is defending against the submission attempts here by Sandman.
Ozturk wants to get back to full guard.
Ozturk is trying to maintain the position but Sandman is very close to passing his half guard.
Ozturk is positioning himself well to prevent Sandman advancing to mount.
Sandman is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Ozturk!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandman looking to finish Ozturk with some ground and pound. This is bad for Ozturk!
Ozturk tries to lock up and control but Sandman gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sandman content just to control the position here.
Sandman unloading with bombs!
Sandman tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Sandman is landing with some decent strikes but Ozturk is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Sandman is working for a guillotine from mount but Ozturk frees his head quite easily.
Sandman lands a big elbow.

Sandman is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Sandman extends the arm and Ozturk is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). The Sandman!
After the big win, The Sandman made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors AnonymouS and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
The defeated Hadi Ozturk had this to say: 'I took this fight with 2 days notice, I guess that's probably why I lost this one.'.