PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nick Hay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Hay
vs
Hamidovich Saitiev

178 cm
28
180 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

183 cm
33
185 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
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 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nick Hay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Tiny Johnson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hay gets caught flat footed, as Hamidovich Saitiev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev connects with a couple of short punches.
Hay knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hamidovich Saitiev on the ground.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hay holds on and takes a little breather.
Hamidovich Saitiev engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hamidovich Saitiev content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamidovich Saitiev passes Hay's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
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. Hamidovich Saitiev connects with a nice short shot to Hay's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hay on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev drops an elbow to the side of Hay's head.
Hay's coaches at Bonsai Club MMA have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Hay on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hay tries to get out of the position.
Hay keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hamidovich Saitiev thows a huge punch but Hay dodges it nicely.
Ground and pound from Hamidovich Saitiev.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hamidovich Saitiev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hay's head.
Hay on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hay blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hamidovich Saitiev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Hamidovich Saitiev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hay is refusing to be controlled, as Hamidovich Saitiev sits in half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hay defending well though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nice strikes from Hamidovich Saitiev there.
Hamidovich Saitiev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hamidovich Saitiev drops an elbow to the side of Hay's head.
Hay taking some punishment here, with Hamidovich Saitiev in his half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev slips a nice elbow through Hay's hands, connecting with Hay's forehead.
Hamidovich Saitiev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hamidovich Saitiev in particular looking to stall.
Hay is staying active underneath Hamidovich Saitiev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hay keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev lands with a punch from half guard.
Hay wants to get back to full guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hay avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hamidovich Saitiev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hay's head.
Hamidovich Saitiev controlling the pace.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hamidovich Saitiev throwing shots but Hay is blocking nicely.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hay wants to clinch up but Hamidovich Saitiev keeps it at a distance.
Hamidovich Saitiev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hay misses with a double jab

and Hamidovich Saitiev counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hay won't be happy with that.
Hamidovich Saitiev sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Hay is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev cracks Hay with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Hamidovich Saitiev in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Hamidovich Saitiev lands some shots froms side control.
Hamidovich Saitiev cracks Hay with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Hamidovich Saitiev working the body and head with strikes.
Sloppy strikes there by Hamidovich Saitiev.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hamidovich Saitiev lands a decent elbow from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hamidovich Saitiev scores with punches from side control.
Hamidovich Saitiev lands an elbow.
Check out the look on Hamidovich Saitiev's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev 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.

Hay clinches with his opponent.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to drag Hay to the mat but Hay just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hay prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hay lands a left hand.
Hamidovich Saitiev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hay walks away with a smile on his face. Hamidovich Saitiev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nick Hay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hay throws out a leg kick but Hamidovich Saitiev moves out of range and Hay only half commits.
Hay fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries for a takedown but Hay sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hay goes for a double leg but Hamidovich Saitiev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hamidovich Saitiev continues to drive forward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hay throws a combination that misses

and Hamidovich Saitiev counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hamidovich Saitiev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hamidovich Saitiev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hamidovich Saitiev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev throws a big right hand that misses.
Hamidovich Saitiev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hamidovich Saitiev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hamidovich Saitiev makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev lands a couple of elbows.
Hamidovich Saitiev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hay works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hamidovich Saitiev working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hay swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hay keeping moving, preventing Hamidovich Saitiev from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hamidovich Saitiev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hay can't keep his opponent in guard - Hamidovich Saitiev advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hay is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hamidovich Saitiev scores with a couple of nice shots.
Hay keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hay's head.
Hay taking some punishment here, with Hamidovich Saitiev in his half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev is keen to just control but Hay is a slippery customer.
Hamidovich Saitiev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hay throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hamidovich Saitiev darts in looking for a takedown but Hay gets double underhooks and turns Hamidovich Saitiev into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hamidovich Saitiev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hay moves away.
Hay throws a head kick that misses.

Hay drives through and clinches with Hamidovich Saitiev against the cage.
Hay lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hay lands an elbow that stopped Hamidovich Saitiev in his tracks for a moment.
Hay tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hay throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hamidovich Saitiev blocks it with crossed arms.
Hamidovich Saitiev blocks an elbow strike.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to take the fight to the mat but Hay manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Hamidovich Saitiev pulls Hay into guard.

Hamidovich Saitiev has his foot on Hay's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hay works his way back into a safe position though.
Hamidovich Saitiev has Hay pulled in close to control his posture.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hamidovich Saitiev is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hay throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hamidovich Saitiev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hay stopping the sweep attempt from Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hamidovich Saitiev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hay stopping the sweep attempt from Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hamidovich Saitiev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hay's guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hay keeping moving, preventing Hamidovich Saitiev from controlling successfully.
Hay avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hay moves into the clinch.
Hay lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hamidovich Saitiev is working for takedown but Hay is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hay tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hamidovich Saitiev jumps guard but Hay turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hamidovich Saitiev jumps guard but Hay turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Nick Hay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hay lands with a light punch inside.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to take the fight to the mat but Hay manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Hay lands with a left to the head.
Hay gets underhooks to prevent Hamidovich Saitiev's takedown attempt.
Hay controlling the action here for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hay to keep the fight standing.
Hamidovich Saitiev blocks the elbow strike.
Hamidovich Saitiev is trying to pull guard but Hay turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Hay.
Hay looking to throw knees to the head but Hamidovich Saitiev is blocking nicely.
Hay tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hay throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hay just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hay presses Hamidovich Saitiev against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hay tries to land a knee to the head but Hamidovich Saitiev blocks with his arms.
Hamidovich Saitiev has Hay pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hay manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A body shot lands from Hay.
Hay misses with an elbow strike.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants a takedown.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hay.
Hamidovich Saitiev jumps guard but Hay stands there with Hamidovich Saitiev around his waist. Hamidovich Saitiev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Hay.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hay lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Hay breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Hay throws a series of strikes that have Hamidovich Saitiev backpedaling.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hay forces Hamidovich Saitiev back against the cage and clinches.
Hamidovich Saitiev jumps guard but Hay stands there with Hamidovich Saitiev around his waist. Hamidovich Saitiev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hamidovich Saitiev jumps guard but Hay turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hay gets through Hamidovich Saitiev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hay gets underhooks to prevent Hamidovich Saitiev's takedown attempt.

Hay breaks from the clinch.
Hay wants to clinch.
And Hamidovich Saitiev tries to counter it with a takedown but Hay pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hay darts in and clinches Hamidovich Saitiev up against the cage.

Hay breaks from the clinch.
No luck for Hamidovich Saitiev with that takedown attempt.
Hamidovich Saitiev throws a hook but Hay blocks it.
Hay lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Hay drives through and clinches with Hamidovich Saitiev against the cage.
Hay gets underhooks to prevent Hamidovich Saitiev's takedown attempt.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hay creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to pull guard but Hay holds him up against the cage and eventually Hamidovich Saitiev drops back down to his feet.
Hay tries to land a knee to the head but Hamidovich Saitiev blocks with his arms.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hay lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hamidovich Saitiev backwards.
Hamidovich Saitiev fails to pull guard.
Hay using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hamidovich Saitiev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hay lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hamidovich Saitiev backwards.
Hamidovich Saitiev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hay after a bit of a struggle.
Hay lands with a short head shot on the inside.
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!
Hay lands a nice uppercut.
Hay with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hay gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hay creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hay with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nick Hay has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hamidovich Saitiev jumps guard but Hay turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hay lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Hay showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hamidovich Saitiev has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a draw!