PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Adonis Creed (ranked 25996 p4p, 0 weight class) and Halid Saadulaev (ranked 5653 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Adonis Creed has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Creed
vs
Saadulaev

182 cm
20
158 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

177 cm
23
156 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Adonis Creed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Halid Saadulaev!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Winston Alpacca and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Creed throws a push kick but Saadulaev slaps the foot to one side.

Saadulaev shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Creed's guard.
Saadulaev is standing up over Creed. Creed looks to escape but Saadulaev dives into side control.

Creed is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
A lull in the action here as Saadulaev stalls from top position.
Saadulaev prevents Creed from escaping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saadulaev advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Creed tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Saadulaev with good strikes from the mount here!
Creed is working to get back to half guard.
Saadulaev sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Saadulaev cracks Creed with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Saadulaev sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Saadulaev manages to capitalize on a mistake by Creed to take his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev throwing damaging strikes from the back! Creed could be in trouble here!

Creed is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Saadulaev gets his way!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saadulaev controlling from the back.

Saadulaev working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Creed rolls, trying to escape but Saadulaev keeps control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Creed is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Saadulaev.

Saadulaev is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Saadulaev is landing with strikes from the back.
Creed covers up after that shot from Saadulaev.
Saadulaev keeps control of the position as Creed tries to break free.

Saadulaev has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Creed has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Creed trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev keeps control of the position easily here as Creed tries to buck him off.
Creed trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Creed grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.

Creed preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Saadulaev.
You can see the frustration on Creed's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Halid Saadulaev dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Creed tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Saadulaev is able to avoid easily.
Saadulaev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Saadulaev 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.
Creed trying his best to control but Saadulaev has mounted him.
Creed is in a horrible position here. Saadulaev smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Saadulaev controlling from mount.
Saadulaev fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Creed sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Saadulaev is working for a kimura but Creed is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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. Saadulaev connects with a nice short shot to Creed's temple.
Saadulaev moves into full mount! Creed won't be happy about that!
Saadulaev controlling the pace for now.

Creed defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Saadulaev.
Saadulaev cracks Creed with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev controlling the pace for now.
Creed takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Halid Saadulaev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Creed wants to control but Saadulaev is having none of it.
Saadulaev postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Creed looks a forlorn figure.
Saadulaev working Creed over with strikes here.
Saadulaev tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Saadulaev goes for an armbar but Creed turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Creed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Creed being controlled here momentarily.
Saadulaev wants to sweep here but Creed controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Saadulaev has momentary wrist control but Creed slips an elbow through the middle.
Creed throws a big elbow that misses.
Creed prevents Saadulaev from getting back to his feet.
Saadulaev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Creed is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saadulaev keeping moving, preventing Creed from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Halid Saadulaev 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!

Creed misses with a leg kick

and Saadulaev counters with a single leg into guard. Creed didn't expect that.
Creed is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Creed looking for a sweep. Not yet Creed, not yet.
Saadulaev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Creed swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Saadulaev gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Creed has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Creed throws a sloppy head kick

and Saadulaev counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Saadulaev.
Saadulaev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Creed is keeping the position for now.
Creed can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Saadulaev controls the pace.
Saadulaev working some strikes from top position.
Adonis Creed has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev forces his way into half guard.
Saadulaev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Well, if Saadulaev is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Saadulaev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Saadulaev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Saadulaev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Saadulaev is pressing down on Creed's thigh, looking to free his foot. Creed is holding on for now.
Creed wants to get back to full guard.
Saadulaev is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Creed!

Saadulaev jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Creed is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Creed and Saadulaev has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Creed trying to remain calm as Saadulaev controls from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Saadulaev decides to stand up, so the ref orders Creed to his feet.
Left hook, right uppercut from Saadulaev.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saadulaev lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Saadulaev closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Creed's guard.
Saadulaev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Creed wants to stand and escape but Saadulaev is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Halid Saadulaev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Saadulaev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Halid Saadulaev!