PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Oliver Dickens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dickens comes to the cage accompanied by I Want it All. Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Dickens
vs
Hamidovich Saitiev

172 cm
29
185 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

183 cm
30
185 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Oliver Dickens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Sam Margolis and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dickens looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to get back to full guard.
Dickens misses with a head shot. Hamidovich Saitiev uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We've been hearing good reports from Dickens's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Dickens working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dickens is looking to work some ground and pound but Hamidovich Saitiev has wrist control.
Hamidovich Saitiev has momentary wrist control but Dickens slips an elbow through the middle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hamidovich Saitiev trying to control the position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to stand up but Dickens is controlling him.
Dickens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dickens is looking to work some ground and pound but Hamidovich Saitiev has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev looking for a sweep. Not yet Hamidovich Saitiev, not yet.
Dickens might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dickens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dickens 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.
Dickens chips away with some ground and pound.
Dickens working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Dickens preventing the sweep.
Dickens throws a big elbow that misses.
Dickens working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hamidovich Saitiev's head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hamidovich Saitiev can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hamidovich Saitiev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dickens is one step ahead there.
Dickens advances to half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev taking some punishment here, with Dickens in his half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dickens.
Dickens slips a nice elbow through Hamidovich Saitiev's hands, connecting with Hamidovich Saitiev's forehead.
Hamidovich Saitiev keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to get to full guard but Dickens has control of the leg.
Dickens trying to control from half guard but Hamidovich Saitiev is working away.
Dickens seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Dickens missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking for a sweep. Dickens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking to escape.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to get to full guard but Dickens has control of the leg.
Hamidovich Saitiev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dickens scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to stand.
Dickens lands strikes from half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dickens.
Hamidovich Saitiev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Dickens landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Dickens trying to control the action but Hamidovich Saitiev is working from the bottom.
Dickens scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Dickens scores with a couple of nice shots.
Dickens lands with a punch from half guard.

Hamidovich Saitiev is rocked!
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking to improve his position.
Dickens drops an elbow to the side of Hamidovich Saitiev's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dickens looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hamidovich Saitiev with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Dickens drops an elbow to the side of Hamidovich Saitiev's head.
Hamidovich Saitiev regains full guard. Nicely done.
Dickens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dickens chips away with some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hamidovich Saitiev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Hamidovich Saitiev working for a triangle but Dickens defends it easily.
Dickens prevents Hamidovich Saitiev from getting back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dickens accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dickens is working Hamidovich Saitiev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hamidovich Saitiev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dickens is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oliver Dickens dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dickens changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hamidovich Saitiev looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Dickens working the body and head with strikes.
Dickens is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hamidovich Saitiev can do to turn this around?
Dickens working the head with strikes.
Hamidovich Saitiev can't do much from the bottom here.
Dickens throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Dickens working the head and body with strikes.
An elbow from Dickens crashes against the mat.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Dickens in side control, throwing shots but Hamidovich Saitiev defends.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to improve position but can't.
We've been informed that Hamidovich Saitiev has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Dickens connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hamidovich Saitiev some visible discomfort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dickens grinds an elbow into Hamidovich Saitiev's temple.
Hamidovich Saitiev is still in real trouble! Can Dickens finish him?
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking to reverse the position.
Dickens landing strikes.
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking to reverse the position.
Dickens cracks Hamidovich Saitiev with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Dickens postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Dickens throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Dickens misses with the ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Dickens.
Dickens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hamidovich Saitiev keeps working.
Hamidovich Saitiev seems to have recovered his senses.
Hamidovich Saitiev is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Dickens postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dickens scores with punches from side control.
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking for a sweep.
Dickens throws an elbow but Hamidovich Saitiev slips to the side and avoids it well.
Dickens postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Dickens prevents Hamidovich Saitiev from escaping the position.
Dickens throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Dickens lands a nice forearm strike.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Dickens misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dickens working the head with strikes.
Hamidovich Saitiev is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Dickens asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Dickens works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Dickens has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to control but Dickens postures up.
Dickens looks up at the clock and then as Hamidovich Saitiev takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Dickens smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Dickens wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Dickens working the head with strikes.
Hamidovich Saitiev pushes Dickens away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Dickens gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Dickens working the body and head with strikes.
Dickens sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Hamidovich Saitiev is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Dickens postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hamidovich Saitiev is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Dickens off and has taken his back!
Hamidovich Saitiev missing with strikes from the back.
Hamidovich Saitiev lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Hamidovich Saitiev is punishing Dickens with some ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev is punishing Dickens with strikes - can he finish him?!
Dickens controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.
Dickens tries to roll but Hamidovich Saitiev sticks to his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dickens wants to control his opponent's hands but Hamidovich Saitiev gets his hands free.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Can Dickens hold on?! Hamidovich Saitiev is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Hamidovich Saitiev keeps control of the position as Dickens tries to break free.
Dickens manages to reverse the position and now he's in Hamidovich Saitiev's guard. Nice work there by Dickens.
Dickens working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hamidovich Saitiev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Dickens working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oliver Dickens dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Hamidovich Saitiev tries to sprawl but Dickens drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Oliver Dickens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dickens working the head and body with strikes.
Dickens sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hamidovich Saitiev defending well though.
Dickens looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking to improve his position.
Nice strikes from Dickens there.
Hamidovich Saitiev controlling the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dickens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hamidovich Saitiev keeps working.
Dickens working over Hamidovich Saitiev with some ground and pound. Hamidovich Saitiev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to stand up here but Dickens is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dickens slips a nice elbow through Hamidovich Saitiev's hands, connecting with Hamidovich Saitiev's forehead.
Dickens seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hamidovich Saitiev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dickens slips a nice elbow through Hamidovich Saitiev's hands, connecting with Hamidovich Saitiev's forehead.
Dickens working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hamidovich Saitiev pushes Dickens off looking to stand but Dickens dives back in and keeps control.
Hamidovich Saitiev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Dickens there.
Dickens lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Hamidovich Saitiev manages to get to full guard.
Dickens with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dickens with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dickens working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hamidovich Saitiev's head.
Dickens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hamidovich Saitiev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dickens loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hamidovich Saitiev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dickens throws a strike but Hamidovich Saitiev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dickens is on top in guard.

Dickens loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
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!
Dickens won't allow Hamidovich Saitiev to sweep him here.
Dickens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dickens won't allow Hamidovich Saitiev to sweep him here.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to control the position but Dickens postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dickens stops Hamidovich Saitiev from standing up.
Dickens is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dickens distracts Hamidovich Saitiev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Dickens is working Hamidovich Saitiev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Dickens missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dickens loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dickens with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hamidovich Saitiev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dickens.
Hamidovich Saitiev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dickens.
Hamidovich Saitiev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dickens is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Dickens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hamidovich Saitiev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Dickens decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Dickens throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Dickens slips a nice elbow through Hamidovich Saitiev's hands, connecting with Hamidovich Saitiev's forehead.
Dickens missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Oliver Dickens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hamidovich Saitiev flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Hamidovich Saitiev striking from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oliver Dickens showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Dickens has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oliver Dickens!
Oliver Dickens decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.