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, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. This should be fireworks!

Al Haddad
vs
St Pierre

174 cm
35
163 lbs
20 - 22 - 2

176 cm
31
159 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

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 20 - 22 - 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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jesus St Pierre!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Haddad throws a series of punches but St Pierre avoids them all with ease.
St Pierre digs a good hook to Al Haddad's body.
Al Haddad takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Al Haddad looks to land a combination but St Pierre avoids it well.
Al Haddad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Al Haddad lands a slapping body shot.
St Pierre has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
St Pierre throws a hook but Al Haddad avoids it easily.
St Pierre blocks a jab.
Al Haddad misses with a wild body shot.
Al Haddad misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from St Pierre.
Al Haddad lands with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
St Pierre defending well as Al Haddad loads up on a big left hand.
St Pierre bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
St Pierre misses with a looping left.
St Pierre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Al Haddad.
St Pierre misses with a looping right.
Al Haddad lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A jab from St Pierre misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Haddad throws an uppercut from half a mile away. St Pierre sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Al Haddad has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Al Haddad moves out of range of the strikes.
Al Haddad swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and St Pierre counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
St Pierre slips a jab and a cross from Al Haddad.
St Pierre throws an overhand right that lands on Al Haddad's shoulder, as Al Haddad tries to avoid the shot.
St Pierre throws a big shot that misses.
Al Haddad lands a jab-cross combination.
St Pierre throws the left hand but Al Haddad avoids the punch easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sloppy strikes from Al Haddad. Those never looked like landing.
St Pierre throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Al Haddad to counter with a crisp jab.
We've been hearing reports that Al Haddad has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
St Pierre swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Al Haddad.
St Pierre uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Al Haddad.
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.
St Pierre throws an overhand right that lands on Al Haddad's shoulder, as Al Haddad tries to avoid the shot.
Al Haddad cracks St Pierre with an open hand slap.

Al Haddad closes the distance and clinches.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre misses with a hook. Al Haddad ducked under it nicely.
It looked like Al Haddad was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from St Pierre.
St Pierre on the wrong end of a nice jab.
St Pierre lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A big left from Al Haddad misses.
St Pierre might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Al Haddad staying out of range there.
Al Haddad throws a right and a left that St Pierre avoids nicely.
Al Haddad connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
St Pierre lands a nice shot to the body.

St Pierre shoots in and gets a takedown into Al Haddad's guard.
Al Haddad 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.
St Pierre makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
St Pierre postures up and lands a big shot to Al Haddad's brow.
St Pierre loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
St Pierre stopping the sweep attempt from Al Haddad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre wants to control from the top but Al Haddad keeps moving.
Al Haddad working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from St Pierre.
St Pierre in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
St Pierre throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Al Haddad works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
St Pierre tries to free his leg and advance position but Al Haddad is retaining full guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw St Pierre working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
St Pierre scoring with some ground and pound.
St Pierre working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Al Haddad managing to control the position.
Al Haddad keeping moving, preventing St Pierre from controlling successfully.
St Pierre loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre trying to control but Al Haddad is working from the bottom.
St Pierre has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
St Pierre stopping the sweep attempt from Al Haddad.
St Pierre postures up and lands a big shot to Al Haddad's brow.
St Pierre stopping the sweep attempt from Al Haddad.
St Pierre wants to pass the guard but Al Haddad is keeping the position.
St Pierre is standing up over Al Haddad. Al Haddad looks to escape but St Pierre dives into side control.
Al Haddad struggling a bit here.
St Pierre working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jesus St Pierre will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

St Pierre throws a looping overhand right but Al Haddad ducks down to avoid it.
Al Haddad catches St Pierre with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
St Pierre swings for the body but Al Haddad moves out of range.
Al Haddad misses with a head kick.

St Pierre shoots in and gets a takedown into Al Haddad's guard.
St Pierre throws a strike but Al Haddad rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Al Haddad sitting in guard here, content to control.
St Pierre avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Al Haddad lands a couple of elbows.

St Pierre working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Al Haddad doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Al Haddad manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Al Haddad throwing strikes but missing.
St Pierre is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Pierre looks to land a strike but Al Haddad avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
St Pierre throws a big elbow that misses.
St Pierre trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
St Pierre landing some decent shots from guard.
Al Haddad utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
St Pierre throws a big right hand that misses.
St Pierre throwing strikes from guard but Al Haddad blocks nicely.
St Pierre is looking to work some ground and pound but Al Haddad has wrist control.
St Pierre postures up in Al Haddad's guard and throws a big left but Al Haddad blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre wants to pass the guard but Al Haddad is keeping the position.
Jesus St Pierre has got the better of the ground game so far.

Al Haddad has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. St Pierre is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Al Haddad displaying some good clinch control by pressing St Pierre up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Al Haddad.
Al Haddad trying to stall but St Pierre improves his position.
Al Haddad holding his opponent close, against the cage.
St Pierre swings away with an uppercut that misses.

St Pierre breaks the clinch.
Al Haddad slips a straight right by St Pierre.
Elias Al Haddad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Al Haddad throws a big shot that misses.
St Pierre lands a nice shot to the body.
Elias Al Haddad is winning the standup battle so far.
St Pierre swings for the body but Al Haddad moves out of range.
St Pierre throws a jab when Al Haddad was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre slips a jab and a cross from Al Haddad.
St Pierre looks to throw the jab but Al Haddad is out of range.
Al Haddad lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Al Haddad throws a body punch but St Pierre moves out of range.
Al Haddad gets cracked with a nice right hand there by St Pierre.
St Pierre takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Al Haddad connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between St Pierre's hands.
St Pierre moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Al Haddad misses with a few strikes there.
St Pierre lands a nice shot to the body.
St Pierre misses with a shot to the body
and St Pierre takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
St Pierre tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Al Haddad was well out of range. Poor timing from St Pierre.
Al Haddad swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Haddad misses with a wild body shot.
A slow jab from Al Haddad misses its intended target.
Al Haddad swinging wildly here.
Al Haddad moves in looking to clinch but St Pierre pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by St Pierre. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of St Pierre.
St Pierre ducks under a wild hook from Al Haddad.
St Pierre slips a straight right by Al Haddad.
Al Haddad misses with a jab, cross combination.

St Pierre bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Haddad struggling a bit here.
Al Haddad takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

St Pierre thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
St Pierre working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jesus St Pierre will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

St Pierre dives in and grabs Al Haddad's left leg, looking for a takedown. Al Haddad pushes down on St Pierre's head and hops out.
Good standup being displayed there by Al Haddad as he connects with a hook.
Al Haddad looks to land a combination but St Pierre avoids it well.
Al Haddad throws a series of punches but St Pierre avoids them all with ease.
Al Haddad fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Al Haddad slips under a jab from St Pierre.
Al Haddad slips a straight right by St Pierre.
St Pierre paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Al Haddad uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
St Pierre throws a body punch but Al Haddad moves out of range.
St Pierre misses with an uppercut. Al Haddad saw that one coming.
St Pierre has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
St Pierre scores with a jab to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Al Haddad throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
St Pierre keeps the fight on the outside.
Al Haddad throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
St Pierre is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Al Haddad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Haddad tries to close the distance and clinch but St Pierre swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Al Haddad looks to land a left hand but St Pierre moved out of range nicely.
Al Haddad is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by St Pierre.
St Pierre waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Al Haddad.
St Pierre connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Al Haddad momentarily.
St Pierre misses with a hook. Al Haddad ducked under it nicely.
Nice cross by St Pierre.
St Pierre avoids the body shot from Al Haddad.
St Pierre throws a right hand that misses
and Al Haddad counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
St Pierre throws a hook to the side of Al Haddad's head but Al Haddad sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Al Haddad throws a right hand that misses

and St Pierre counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Al Haddad wants to stand back up but St Pierre manages to pass into side control.
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 is not content to let St Pierre control the position.
Al Haddad tries to escape but St Pierre is in control.
Jesus St Pierre is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre in side control, throwing shots but Al Haddad defends.
St Pierre controls the position.
St Pierre throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Let's hope that St Pierre has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
St Pierre is looking to take a break and control but Al Haddad is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Elias Al Haddad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
St Pierre wants to control but Al Haddad is keeping him busy.
Al Haddad is pushing St Pierre's head away, looking to escape. St Pierre manages to hold on to the position though.
St Pierre trying to control the action but Al Haddad is working from the bottom.
St Pierre throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
St Pierre trying to control the action but Al Haddad is working from the bottom.
Al Haddad is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, St Pierre asserts his dominance and retains side control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
St Pierre is trying hard to land a takedown here. Al Haddad sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Al Haddad pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Al Haddad lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but St Pierre circles away quickly and effectively.
Al Haddad misses with a right hand
and St Pierre counters with a stiff right hand.
Al Haddad looks to land a left hand but St Pierre moved out of range nicely.
St Pierre scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Al Haddad takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Al Haddad throws out a loose jab but St Pierre uses good head movement to avoid it.
St Pierre is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jesus St Pierre.
I've got St Pierre 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jesus St Pierre!
After the fight, Jesus St Pierre was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.