PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ahilen Quarrel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and CJ Saaim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Quarrel comes to the cage accompanied by Hype. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Quarrel
vs
Saaim

190 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

182 cm
23
187 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ahilen Quarrel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, CJ Saaim!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Jonathan Paton and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saaim misses with a hook. Quarrel ducked under it nicely.
Quarrel throws a head kick but Saaim moves out of range.
Quarrel looks for a takedown but Saaim sprawls well.
Saaim swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Saaim misses with a double jab
and Quarrel counters with a nice body kick.
Saaim tries to score a power double leg takedown but Quarrel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Saaim somewhat.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Saaim crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Quarrel - the referee stops the clock and Saaim gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Quarrel. Saaim manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Quarrel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Quarrel seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Quarrel fails with an attempt to clinch.
Quarrel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saaim tries to counter with a clinch but Quarrel shakes him off and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Quarrel fails to land with a series of punches.
Quarrel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Quarrel throws a head kick that misses

and Saaim counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Quarrel!
Quarrel wants to get back to his feet but Saaim is dominant here and he's now got Quarrel's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saaim has the hooks in. Quarrel is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Quarrel trying to control the position but Saaim manages to sink in the hooks.
Saaim has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Quarrel.
Quarrel is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Saaim controlling from the back.
You can see the frustration on Quarrel's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Quarrel is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Saaim lands with a hammerfist to the side of Quarrel's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Quarrel trying to get back to his feet but Saaim is in full control for now.
Quarrel looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Quarrel just trying to survive but Saaim is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Saaim biding his time, controlling Quarrel.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
You can see the frustration on Quarrel's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Quarrel is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Quarrel preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Saaim.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saaim scores with punches from the back.

Saaim working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Quarrel trying to get back to his feet but Saaim is in full control for now.
Quarrel tries to escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saaim scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Quarrel is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

CJ Saaim dominated that round.
That's time! Quarrel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Saaim misses with a head kick.

Quarrel closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Saaim tries to break free but Quarrel pushes him back against the cage.
Saaim stalls.
Saaim keeps control of Quarrel as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Saaim breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Quarrel fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Quarrel.

Quarrel gets tackled into the cage by Saaim. Saaim maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saaim jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Quarrel walks away with a smile on his face. Saaim gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Quarrel tries to bum rush Saaim with a series of wild strikes but Saaim uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Saaim tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Saaim clinches with his opponent.

Saaim manages to break the clinch.
Ahilen Quarrel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Some wild striking there from Quarrel.

Saaim moves into the clinch.
Saaim fails to pull guard.
Quarrel tries to break free but Saaim pushes him back against the cage.
Saaim changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Quarrel fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ahilen Quarrel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of CJ Saaim.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Quarrel shoots in looking for a takedown. Saaim tries to sprawl out of it but Quarrel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Saaim manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Saaim appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Saaim has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saaim looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Saaim throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Quarrel tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Saaim is in Quarrel's guard.
Saaim is breathing heavily.
Saaim is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Quarrel looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Saaim won't allow Quarrel to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saaim working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Saaim passes Quarrel's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Saaim content to control rather than advance.
Saaim winds up and cracks Quarrel with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Saaim tries to stand and escape but Quarrel is controlling the position.
Saaim working the head and body with strikes.
Saaim looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Quarrel is in trouble now - Saaim has advanced to mount!

Saaim goes for an armbar but Quarrel turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Quarrel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Quarrel preventing the sweep.
Quarrel trying to control but Saaim is working from the bottom.
Quarrel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saaim is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saaim tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Saaim keeping moving, preventing Quarrel from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

CJ Saaim showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Saaim is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Quarrel.
Quarrel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Saaim as he avoids it easily.
Saaim looks to throw the jab but Quarrel is out of range.

Saaim clinches with his opponent.

Quarrel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Quarrel misses with the combination.
Quarrel connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Saaim instigates a clinch.

Saaim gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Quarrel trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saaim scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Saaim lands a nice short elbow.
Saaim perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Saaim is continuing to stall.
Saaim lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Saaim is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Saaim controlling the action here.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Quarrel tries to get to full guard but Saaim has control of the leg.
Saaim working the head and body with strikes.
Saaim wants to control but Quarrel is keeping him busy.
Saaim lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Quarrel looks like he's trying to stand up.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Saaim lands strikes from half guard.
Quarrel trying to control but Saaim postures up.
Saaim perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Saaim misses with a body kick.

Saaim clinches up with Quarrel and pushes him back against the cage.

Saaim breaks from the clinch.
Saaim has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Quarrel tries for a takedown but Saaim sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Quarrel tries a head kick but it misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saaim shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Quarrel sprawls well. Quarrel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Saaim gets slowly back to his feet.
Quarrel lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Quarrel shoots for a double leg takedown but Saaim sprawls well. He's pushed Quarrel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ahilen Quarrel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Saaim has taken the fight to the clinch.
CJ Saaim is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Saaim can't get the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
CJ Saaim comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Saaim winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... CJ Saaim!