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 kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is I Want it All. Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. 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
11 - 8 - 0

183 cm
30
185 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
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 11 - 8 - 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 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Daniel Bishop and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hamidovich Saitiev throws a shot from downtown. Dickens moves away and avoids it.
Dickens changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Dickens throws a nice looking combination but Hamidovich Saitiev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hamidovich Saitiev slips under a jab from Dickens.
Hamidovich Saitiev feints the counter takedown.
Hamidovich Saitiev scores with a decent looking hook.
Dickens throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Hamidovich Saitiev counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hamidovich Saitiev.
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 pulls Hamidovich Saitiev in close to his closed guard and prevents Hamidovich Saitiev from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hamidovich Saitiev stopping the sweep attempt from Dickens.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamidovich Saitiev throws an elbow that misses. Dickens uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hamidovich Saitiev's guard. Nice move by Dickens!

Dickens is in close to Hamidovich Saitiev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Dickens won't allow Hamidovich Saitiev to get back to his feet.
Dickens missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dickens scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to get back to his feet but Dickens is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Dickens lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hamidovich Saitiev has momentary wrist control but Dickens slips an elbow through the middle.
Dickens prevents Hamidovich Saitiev from getting back to his feet.
Dickens throws a big right hand that misses.
Hamidovich Saitiev keeping moving, preventing Dickens from controlling successfully.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to sweep here but Dickens controlling him for the moment.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dickens landing with the ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dickens is controlling him.
Hamidovich Saitiev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to sweep but no luck.
Dickens content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Dickens postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dickens's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Dickens missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to stand and escape but Dickens is having none of it.
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.
Dickens landing with the ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dickens.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dickens trying to control the position from guard on top but Hamidovich Saitiev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dickens is looking to work some ground and pound but Hamidovich Saitiev has wrist control.
Dickens lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dickens throwing strikes but missing.
Dickens throwing strikes but missing.
Dickens postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Dickens sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hamidovich Saitiev's guard.
Dickens lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dickens scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ground and pound from Dickens.
Dickens slips a nice elbow through Hamidovich Saitiev's hands, connecting with Hamidovich Saitiev's forehead.
Dickens looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Dickens lands a nice short elbow.

Hamidovich Saitiev is rocked!
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking to improve his position.
Dickens working Hamidovich Saitiev over with strikes.
Hamidovich Saitiev is still in real trouble! Can Dickens finish him?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dickens takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hamidovich Saitiev seems to have recovered his senses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dickens sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hamidovich Saitiev defending well though.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to get to full guard but Dickens has control of the leg.
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 misses with an uppercut. Hamidovich Saitiev saw that one coming.
Hamidovich Saitiev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Dickens misses with the combination.
Hamidovich Saitiev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Dickens throws a nice looking combination but Hamidovich Saitiev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Oliver Dickens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dickens misses with a body shot.
Hamidovich Saitiev feints the counter takedown.
Dickens is looking to chop away at Hamidovich Saitiev's legs.
Hamidovich Saitiev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hamidovich Saitiev staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dickens misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dickens throws a lazy right hand but Hamidovich Saitiev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dickens misses the shot to the body.
Hamidovich Saitiev feints the counter takedown.
Hamidovich Saitiev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dickens.
Hamidovich Saitiev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dickens misses with a lunging right hand

and Hamidovich Saitiev counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev is pressing down on Dickens's thigh, looking to free his foot. Dickens is holding on for now.
Dickens slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hamidovich Saitiev stands up over Dickens, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Oliver Dickens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dickens 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 must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dickens is on top in guard.

Dickens working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dickens might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to sweep but no luck.
Dickens with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dickens won't allow Hamidovich Saitiev to get back to his feet.
Hamidovich Saitiev working a defensive guard but Dickens manages to pass into side control anyway.
Hamidovich Saitiev is breathing heavily.
Dickens is chipping away with strikes.
Dickens throws an elbow but Hamidovich Saitiev slips to the side and avoids it well.
Dickens lands a decent elbow from side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dickens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hamidovich Saitiev keeps working.
Hamidovich Saitiev gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to kick Dickens off in order to stand up. Dickens Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to improve position but can't.
Dickens lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dickens throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The strikes coming from Dickens are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Dickens tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hamidovich Saitiev sneaks back into half guard.
Dickens lands with a punch from half guard.
Dickens scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Dickens winds up and cracks Hamidovich Saitiev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hamidovich Saitiev is looking to improve his position.
Dickens is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to improve his position but Dickens is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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.
Ground and pound from Dickens.
Dickens is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Dickens lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hamidovich Saitiev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dickens.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to get back to full guard.
Nice strikes from Dickens there.
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 thows a huge punch but Hamidovich Saitiev dodges it nicely.
Dickens not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to stand up here but Dickens is controlling him well.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hamidovich Saitiev slips under a jab.
Hamidovich Saitiev feints the counter takedown.
Hamidovich Saitiev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dickens throws out the jab.
Hamidovich Saitiev with the counter takedown but Dickens avoids it easily.
Hamidovich Saitiev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dickens.
A swing and a miss from Dickens.
Dickens misses the jab.
Dickens misses with a hook.
Hamidovich Saitiev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dickens.
Dickens misses with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamidovich Saitiev throws the left hand but Dickens avoids the punch easily.
Dickens jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Dickens throws a low kick but Hamidovich Saitiev moves out of range easily.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dickens waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hamidovich Saitiev.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hamidovich Saitiev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dickens waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hamidovich Saitiev.
Dickens misses with a hook. Hamidovich Saitiev ducked under it nicely.
Hamidovich Saitiev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dickens throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Dickens is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Hamidovich Saitiev's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Dickens looks to land a left hand but Hamidovich Saitiev moved out of range nicely.
A slow jab from Dickens misses its intended target.
Dickens throws a lazy right hand but Hamidovich Saitiev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dickens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hamidovich Saitiev slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dickens throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big right from Dickens misses.
Dickens keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hamidovich Saitiev.
Dickens misses with a hook.
Hamidovich Saitiev feints the counter takedown.
Hamidovich Saitiev misses with a hook.
Hamidovich Saitiev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dickens.
Hamidovich Saitiev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Dickens uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hamidovich Saitiev has time to react.
Dickens throws a low kick but Hamidovich Saitiev moves out of range easily.
Dickens throws an off balance right hand

and Hamidovich Saitiev decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Dickens's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hamidovich Saitiev scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to control from the top but Dickens keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dickens wants to sweep here but Hamidovich Saitiev controlling him for the moment.
Dickens bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hamidovich Saitiev's guard.

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 wriggles free and stands up.
Dickens misses with a straight left.
Hamidovich Saitiev feints the counter takedown.
Dickens misses with a body shot

and Hamidovich Saitiev counters with a nice double leg into side control. Dickens won't be happy with that.
Dickens is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hamidovich Saitiev can do to turn this around?
Dickens gets back to half guard.
Dickens is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hamidovich Saitiev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hamidovich Saitiev throwing shots but Dickens is blocking nicely.
Ground and pound from Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hamidovich Saitiev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dickens's head.
Hamidovich Saitiev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Dickens is trying to get back to full guard.
Dickens is refusing to be controlled, as Hamidovich Saitiev sits in half guard.
Dickens controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Dickens tries to roll over but Hamidovich Saitiev keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Oliver Dickens.
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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oliver Dickens!
Oliver Dickens was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.