PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elias Al Haddad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesus St Pierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). St Pierre has chosen For Heavy Metal we will die! as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Jesus St Pierre enters the cage!

Al Haddad
vs
St Pierre

174 cm
34
163 lbs
19 - 21 - 2

176 cm
30
159 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 21 - 2, fighting out of New York, Elias Al Haddad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jesus St Pierre!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
St Pierre moves out of range as Al Haddad strikes.
Elias Al Haddad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
St Pierre throws a body shot but no joy.
Al Haddad stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
St Pierre takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A combination from Al Haddad does no damage.
St Pierre feints the counter takedown.
Al Haddad swinging wildly here.
Al Haddad connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed St Pierre momentarily.
St Pierre ducks under a wild hook from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad throws a front kick aimed at St Pierre's knee but St Pierre avoids it well.
St Pierre bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Al Haddad's head backwards.
Al Haddad throws a shot from downtown. St Pierre moves away and avoids it.
St Pierre uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Al Haddad has time to react.
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!
St Pierre misses with a straight left.

St Pierre moves into the clinch.
St Pierre lands a shoulder strike.
St Pierre swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Al Haddad misses with a short punch on the inside.
Al Haddad lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Pierre has Al Haddad pressed against the cage, preventing Al Haddad from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

St Pierre instigates a clinch.
Al Haddad lands with a short shot to the head.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Al Haddad ducks right into an uppercut from St Pierre.
Elias Al Haddad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Al Haddad jabbing away but nothing is landing.

St Pierre clinches up against the cage.
St Pierre tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by St Pierre as Al Haddad tries to tie him up.
St Pierre lands with a short head shot on the inside.
St Pierre misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Al Haddad lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of St Pierre backwards.
St Pierre working aggressively here.
Al Haddad has a couple of punches blocked by St Pierre.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Al Haddad.
St Pierre goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad just leaning against St Pierre, taking a breather.
Al Haddad holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Al Haddad lands with a short shot to the head.
Al Haddad blocks an uppercut.
Al Haddad lands a shot to the body.
Al Haddad is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Al Haddad swings wildly with an uppercut but St Pierre uses good head movement to avoid it.
Al Haddad throws a head punch that misses.
Al Haddad misses with a shot to the kidneys.
St Pierre lands a left hand.
Al Haddad blocks a punch to the side of the head.
St Pierre cracks Al Haddad with a nice body shot.
St Pierre misses with a short punch on the inside.
Al Haddad lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Al Haddad is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
St Pierre blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre gets through Al Haddad's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
St Pierre tries to work over Al Haddad's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Al Haddad lands with a right to the head.
Al Haddad misses with the head strike.
Al Haddad tries a body shot but St Pierre blocks it.
Al Haddad is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
St Pierre tries a body shot but Al Haddad blocks it.
Al Haddad fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Al Haddad lands a body punch in the clinch.
Al Haddad effectively controlling the action here.
Al Haddad softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Al Haddad's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Good exchange - Al Haddad coming out on top.
St Pierre misses with a hook
and Al Haddad counters with a nice uppercut.
Sloppy strikes from St Pierre. Those never looked like landing.
St Pierre tries for a takedown but Al Haddad sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Al Haddad misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
St Pierre takes a swing at Al Haddad's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre misses with a hook
and Al Haddad counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nice cross by St Pierre.
Al Haddad lands with a nice body punch.
A swing and a miss from Al Haddad.
St Pierre feints the counter takedown.
Good exchange - Al Haddad coming out on top.
St Pierre shoots in looking for a takedown. Al Haddad tries to sprawl out of it but St Pierre keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Al Haddad manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Elias Al Haddad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesus St Pierre.

St Pierre decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
St Pierre slips a nice elbow through Al Haddad's hands, connecting with Al Haddad's forehead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
St Pierre throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Al Haddad tries to get to full guard but St Pierre has control of the leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Al Haddad manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Al Haddad dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

St Pierre tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Al Haddad manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
St Pierre fails in his attempt to clinch.
St Pierre ducks under a wild hook from Al Haddad.
Elias Al Haddad is winning the standup battle so far.
St Pierre misses with a series of wild punches.
Al Haddad darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Al Haddad missing with a left hand there. St Pierre was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Al Haddad avoids the body shot from St Pierre.
St Pierre throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Al Haddad feints a jab promting St Pierre to slip. Al Haddad then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. St Pierre slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Nice uppercut there from Al Haddad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Haddad connects with a crisp jab.
St Pierre cracks Al Haddad with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
St Pierre tries to close the distance and clinch but Al Haddad swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Al Haddad lands a two punch combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
St Pierre lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Al Haddad rushes St Pierre and presses him up against the cage.
Al Haddad stalling in the clinch but St Pierre improves position.
St Pierre managing to block the knees to the body from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad looking to slow down the pace here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Elias Al Haddad has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Al Haddad wants to stall.
Al Haddad prevents a body shot from St Pierre.
Al Haddad stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Elias Al Haddad.
Al Haddad uses good head movement to avoid the hook from St Pierre.
St Pierre pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Al Haddad scores with the left hand. St Pierre knows he should have avoided that one.
Al Haddad keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from St Pierre.
Al Haddad is looking to clinch but St Pierre is avoiding it.
St Pierre scores with a three punch combo!
A jab from St Pierre misses.
A lazy left from St Pierre finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Al Haddad. Those never looked like landing.
Elias Al Haddad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Al Haddad slips a jab from St Pierre.
St Pierre clobbers Al Haddad with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice straight punches there by St Pierre. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of St Pierre.
Al Haddad steps to the side to avoid the strikes from St Pierre.
St Pierre swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
St Pierre takes a swing at Al Haddad's ribcage but misses.
Al Haddad swings for the body but St Pierre moves out of range.
St Pierre is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Al Haddad on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Al Haddad dodges the punch combination from St Pierre.
Al Haddad looks to land a combination but St Pierre avoids it well.
Al Haddad ducks under a wild hook from St Pierre.
St Pierre changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Al Haddad tries to avoid it but St Pierre manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Al Haddad to the ground. Al Haddad escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
St Pierre shoots for a double leg takedown but Al Haddad sprawls well. He's pushed St Pierre's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
St Pierre throws a body punch but Al Haddad moves out of range.
Al Haddad thuds a left hand into St Pierre's body.
Al Haddad throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre misses with a left hand
enabling Al Haddad to counter with a crisp jab.
Al Haddad lands a really nice looking cross but St Pierre seems unphased.
Al Haddad lands with an overhand left.
Al Haddad lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Al Haddad throws a combination that misses
and Al Haddad takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
St Pierre lands a nice shot to the body.
St Pierre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad throws an ugly left hook that misses
and St Pierre counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
St Pierre ducks under a wild hook from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad connects with a crisp jab.
Al Haddad throws a body punch but St Pierre moves out of range.
Al Haddad ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A quick step to the side and Al Haddad tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Al Haddad throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
St Pierre getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
St Pierre takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Al Haddad goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre misses with a body shot.
St Pierre throws a combination. Al Haddad tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
St Pierre throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
St Pierre displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Al Haddad throws out the jab.
Al Haddad fails to land with a series of punches.
Al Haddad looks to land a body kick but St Pierre moved away.
A combination from Al Haddad does no damage.
Jab by Al Haddad.
St Pierre smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A slow jab from St Pierre misses its intended target.
Al Haddad misses with a straight left.
St Pierre changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Al Haddad's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Al Haddad duly obliges.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
St Pierre misses with a right hand
and Al Haddad counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Al Haddad thuds his right hand into St Pierre's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
St Pierre throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Al Haddad wants to clinch
enabling St Pierre to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Elias Al Haddad will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

St Pierre jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Al Haddad looks to land a combination but St Pierre avoids it well.
St Pierre throws a jab when Al Haddad was well out of range.
St Pierre walks into a stiff left hand from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that St Pierre can do to turn this around?
Nice uppercut lands for Al Haddad. That snapped St Pierre's head back.
Al Haddad misses with a low kick.
St Pierre closes this distance looking for a takedown but Al Haddad circles away.
St Pierre throws a hook but Al Haddad avoids it easily.
St Pierre falls off balance throwing a combination
and Al Haddad connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Al Haddad moves forwards but St Pierre connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Al Haddad throws a lazy uppercut
and St Pierre counters with a nice body shot.
Al Haddad connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed St Pierre momentarily.
Al Haddad lands a lovely overhand right.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Haddad fakes high and swings low for a body shot but St Pierre manages to avoid it.
Al Haddad takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
St Pierre takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Pierre throws a looping overhand right but Al Haddad ducks down to avoid it.
St Pierre slips a jab and a cross from Al Haddad.
Nice defenses there by Al Haddad.
Al Haddad's jab looks to have found its range, popping St Pierre under the eye.
Al Haddad misses with a hook. St Pierre ducked under it nicely.
Al Haddad throws a lazy right hand but St Pierre sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from St Pierre.
No joy there for Al Haddad, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
St Pierre staying out of range there.
Al Haddad throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Al Haddad throws the left hand but St Pierre avoids the punch easily.
Al Haddad misses with a leg kick
and St Pierre counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Al Haddad getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Al Haddad getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
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!
St Pierre throws a body punch but Al Haddad moves out of range.
Al Haddad throws a series of punches but St Pierre moves out of range.
St Pierre lands a nice shot that snaps Al Haddad's head back.
Jesus St Pierre has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad misses with the combination.
St Pierre lands a jab to the head.
St Pierre has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Al Haddad takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

St Pierre has Al Haddad up against the cage in a clinch.
Al Haddad trying to control the position but instead, St Pierre has worked for underhooks and has pushed Al Haddad into the cage.
Al Haddad is trying to push St Pierre away but St Pierre has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Elias Al Haddad is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A short right from St Pierre on the inside.
St Pierre misses with a hook to the ribs.
St Pierre goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
St Pierre swings wildly with an uppercut but Al Haddad uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad effectively controlling the action here.
Al Haddad's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
St Pierre throws a head punch that misses.
St Pierre tries to work over Al Haddad's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
St Pierre misses with some punches.
Al Haddad blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for St Pierre.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch.
Al Haddad pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Al Haddad ducks under a wild hook from St Pierre.
St Pierre blocks a jab.
St Pierre with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Al Haddad to score with a decent uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre with a poor takedown
and Al Haddad counters with a right hand to the body.
St Pierre shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Al Haddad defends it nicely.
Elias Al Haddad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesus St Pierre.
St Pierre with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Al Haddad to score with a decent uppercut.
St Pierre throws a lazy uppercut
and Al Haddad counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
St Pierre falls off balance throwing a combination
and Al Haddad counters with a lovely straight right hand!
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!
Al Haddad connects with a right hand. St Pierre shakes it off.
St Pierre swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Al Haddad moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
St Pierre throws a combination. Al Haddad tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
St Pierre misses with a hook. Al Haddad ducked under it nicely.

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 Elias Al Haddad.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Al Haddad, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elias Al Haddad!
During a confident post fight interview, Elias Al Haddad thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.