PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dalcha Lungiambula (ranked 4081 p4p, 0 weight class) and Halid Saadulaev (ranked 7230 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Lungiambula
vs
Saadulaev

185 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

177 cm
23
156 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Big heart

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dalcha Lungiambula!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Halid Saadulaev!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Winston Alpacca and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saadulaev doesn't manage to clinch there - Lungiambula circles away.
Saadulaev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Lungiambula.
Lungiambula scores with a kick to the body.

Saadulaev closes the distance and clinches.

Saadulaev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lungiambula swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Saadulaev.
Lungiambula slaps away a takedown attempt from Saadulaev, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Lungiambula 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.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saadulaev takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Lungiambula working away.
Lungiambula tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lungiambula fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Lungiambula taking a breather here.
You can see the frustration on Saadulaev's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lungiambula wants to control but Saadulaev is keeping him busy.
Saadulaev is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lungiambula throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Lungiambula knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Saadulaev on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Lungiambula connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Saadulaev some visible discomfort.
Saadulaev is trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Saadulaev's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Lungiambula is trying to get an arm triangle but Saadulaev is defending well.
Lungiambula is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Saadulaev will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lungiambula wants to control but Saadulaev is keeping him busy.
Lungiambula lands an elbow.
Saadulaev can't do much from the bottom here.
Saadulaev is not content to let Lungiambula control the position.
Saadulaev stops Lungiambula from passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lungiambula tries to stand but Saadulaev is controlling his head.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Lungiambula scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Saadulaev is trying to stand back up but Lungiambula is controlling him
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Saadulaev can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lungiambula controlling the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saadulaev wants to improve his position but Lungiambula is controlling well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lungiambula landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lungiambula trying to control the action but Saadulaev is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dalcha Lungiambula dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Saadulaev misses with a takedown attempt - Lungiambula sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lungiambula wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Saadulaev. No joy for Lungiambula on that attempt.
Lungiambula throws a wild body kick that Saadulaev sees coming a mile off.

Saadulaev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saadulaev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

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

Lungiambula drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Lungiambula looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saadulaev tries to buck Lungiambula off but Lungiambula is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saadulaev is not content to let Lungiambula control the position.
Saadulaev gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Saadulaev is trying to get back to full guard.

Lungiambula looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Saadulaev is looking for a sweep. Lungiambula is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Saadulaev trying to control here.
Lungiambula performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev strikes from the bottom but Lungiambula uses the opportunity to move to side control.

Lungiambula has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Lungiambula moves into range and clinches up with Saadulaev.
Lungiambula is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Saadulaev can do to turn this around?

Lungiambula pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Some wild striking there from Lungiambula.
Lungiambula jabs at Saadulaev's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Saadulaev.
Lungiambula fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lungiambula tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Saadulaev pushes Lungiambula up against the cage in a clinch.

Saadulaev ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Saadulaev no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Saadulaev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lungiambula manages to get himself to full guard.

Lungiambula controls Saadulaev momentarily but Saadulaev frees himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lungiambula will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
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 Dalcha Lungiambula will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Lungiambula shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saadulaev pinned against the cage. Saadulaev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Saadulaev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lungiambula napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Saadulaev advances to full mount.
Saadulaev looking to finish Lungiambula with some ground and pound. This is bad for Lungiambula!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lungiambula is trying desperately to improve position.
Saadulaev throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saadulaev prevents Lungiambula from getting the reversal.
Saadulaev trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Lungiambula is working to get back to half guard.

Saadulaev is standing up, even though he is in mount.

Lungiambula fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Saadulaev sprawls well initially but Lungiambula persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Saadulaev misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Saadulaev wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lungiambula is working for a submission of some sort.
Lungiambula prevents Saadulaev from standing back up.
Saadulaev wants to improve his position but Lungiambula is controlling well.

Lungiambula wants to work for an arm triangle but Saadulaev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Lungiambula is looking to take a break and control but Saadulaev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lungiambula shoots in but Saadulaev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Saadulaev is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Dalcha Lungiambula is winning the standup battle so far.
Lungiambula shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saadulaev defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dalcha Lungiambula. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Saadulaev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Saadulaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Saadulaev manages to break the clinch.
Lungiambula cracks a nice hook into Saadulaev's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lungiambula closes the distance and pushes Saadulaev back into the cage.
Lungiambula jumps guard but Saadulaev turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lungiambula drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Saadulaev gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Saadulaev prevents a body shot from Lungiambula.

Saadulaev manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Saadulaev keeping full guard, as Lungiambula tries to pass.
Saadulaev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Saadulaev looking for a guillotine here but Lungiambula defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Halid Saadulaev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lungiambula has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:29
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 29:28
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Dalcha Lungiambula!
A determined Dalcha Lungiambula didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!