PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Suayngarm Pumphanmuang (ranked 25260 p4p, 694 weight class) and Halid Saadulaev (ranked 24925 p4p, 715 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Pumphanmuang
vs
Saadulaev

178 cm
23
157 lbs
3 - 3 - 1

177 cm
19
158 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

Annihilation Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Suayngarm Pumphanmuang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Halid Saadulaev!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pumphanmuang shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saadulaev defends it nicely.
Saadulaev misses with a body kick.
Saadulaev throws the kick towards the body but Pumphanmuang avoids it.

Saadulaev fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Pumphanmuang to the ground. Saadulaev is now in Pumphanmuang's guard.
Saadulaev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Pumphanmuang is looking for a triangle but Saadulaev pushes his legs off easily.
Pumphanmuang working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Saadulaev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saadulaev wants to pass the guard but Pumphanmuang is keeping the position.
Saadulaev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saadulaev tries to stand but Pumphanmuang is controlling from the bottom.
Saadulaev tries to free his leg and advance position but Pumphanmuang is retaining full guard.
Saadulaev is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Pumphanmuang thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Saadulaev stuffs the takedown.
Saadulaev dives in for a single leg takedown but Pumphanmuang sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.

Pumphanmuang rushes Saadulaev and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

That's two 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 tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Pumphanmuang just stands there and leans against the ropes.

Saadulaev drags the fight down to the ground.

Pumphanmuang decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Saadulaev, up you get!
Saadulaev is looking to clinch.
Pumphanmuang darts in looking for a takedown but Saadulaev gets double underhooks and turns Pumphanmuang into the ropes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Suayngarm Pumphanmuang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pumphanmuang defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Saadulaev.
Saadulaev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Saadulaev looks winded!

Pumphanmuang moves into the clinch.
Saadulaev tries to throw a body punch but Pumphanmuang avoids it by throwing Saadulaev back against the ropes.

Saadulaev has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Pumphanmuang regains guard immediately.
Pumphanmuang pulls Saadulaev in close to prevent any damage.
Saadulaev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pumphanmuang. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev wants to control from the top but Pumphanmuang keeps moving.
Pumphanmuang seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Saadulaev wants to control from the top but Pumphanmuang keeps moving.
Pumphanmuang working a defensive guard here.
Saadulaev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Saadulaev has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Pumphanmuang is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Pumphanmuang is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Pumphanmuang is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Pumphanmuang is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Saadulaev is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Saadulaev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pumphanmuang.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Pumphanmuang looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Saadulaev is fending him off so far but Pumphanmuang persists. Nope, Saadulaev circles away and we're back to standing.
Saadulaev shoots in looking for a takedown but Pumphanmuang manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Saadulaev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Pumphanmuang looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Saadulaev is fending him off so far but Pumphanmuang persists. Nope, Saadulaev circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck for Saadulaev with that takedown attempt.
Pumphanmuang thinks about countering with a head kick.
Pumphanmuang shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Saadulaev as he jumps to the side.
Saadulaev looks for a takedown but Pumphanmuang sprawls well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Saadulaev wants to stall.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Pumphanmuang is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Saadulaev is defending well.

Pumphanmuang jumps guard and drags Saadulaev to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Pumphanmuang looking to control.
Pumphanmuang is looking to stand up but Saadulaev isn't so interested in that idea.
Saadulaev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pumphanmuang works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pumphanmuang is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The fighters are working up against the ropes. Pumphanmuang manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the ropes.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pumphanmuang stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Pumphanmuang keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Saadulaev's efforts to push away.
Saadulaev tries to pull guard but Pumphanmuang won't allow it.

Pumphanmuang pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pumphanmuang goes for a double leg but Saadulaev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Saadulaev continues to drive forward.
Saadulaev is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Saadulaev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pumphanmuang is fending him off so far but Saadulaev persists. Nope, Pumphanmuang circles away and we're back to standing.
Pumphanmuang went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Pumphanmuang misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Saadulaev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev darts in looking for a takedown but Pumphanmuang gets double underhooks and turns Saadulaev into the ropes.
Pumphanmuang shoots for a takedown but Saadulaev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pumphanmuang connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Pumphanmuang shoots for a takedown but Saadulaev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Saadulaev tries for a takedown but Pumphanmuang circles away easily
and Pumphanmuang counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Saadulaev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Pumphanmuang counters with a left and a right that stings Saadulaev.

Pumphanmuang moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Pumphanmuang breaks the clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Pumphanmuang lands with a slapping head kick.
Pumphanmuang defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Saadulaev.
Pumphanmuang shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saadulaev defends it nicely.
Pumphanmuang looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Pumphanmuang clinches with his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pumphanmuang breaks from the clinch.
Pumphanmuang thows a body kick. Saadulaev tries to catch it but that hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Suayngarm Pumphanmuang dominated that round.
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. This is the final round!

Saadulaev misses with a two punch combination.
Saadulaev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Pumphanmuang defends well and Saadulaev ends up having to push Pumphanmuang into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Saadulaev scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Pumphanmuang shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Saadulaev sprawls well. Saadulaev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pumphanmuang gets slowly back to his feet.
Saadulaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Pumphanmuang paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pumphanmuang leaves Saadulaev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saadulaev looks to land a body kick but Pumphanmuang moved away.
Saadulaev swinging wildly here.
Saadulaev is breathing heavily.
Pumphanmuang shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saadulaev pinned against the ropes. Saadulaev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saadulaev has a takedown stuffed.
Suayngarm Pumphanmuang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Halid Saadulaev.

Pumphanmuang clinches with his opponent.

Pumphanmuang manages to pull guard.
Pumphanmuang thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Pumphanmuang is trying to keep Saadulaev in close.
Saadulaev trying to control but Pumphanmuang is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pumphanmuang is looking for a triangle but Saadulaev pushes his legs off easily.

Pumphanmuang is scooting his butt against the ropes and has managed to get back to his feet. Saadulaev presses him back against the ropes, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Pumphanmuang ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Pumphanmuang no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Saadulaev trying to control but Pumphanmuang is working from the bottom.
Pumphanmuang trying to keep a closed guard but Saadulaev is proving a slippery customer.
Saadulaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pumphanmuang wants to stand but Saadulaev is controlling the position.
Suayngarm Pumphanmuang overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Saadulaev trying to control but Pumphanmuang is working from the bottom.
Pumphanmuang is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Saadulaev can do to turn this around?
Saadulaev might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Pumphanmuang haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Pumphanmuang is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Saadulaev is aware though and is defending well.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Saadulaev moves in looking to clinch but Pumphanmuang pushes him off.
A slow jab from Saadulaev misses its intended target.

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.
Pumphanmuang fails to land the takedown.
Saadulaev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Saadulaev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saadulaev tries a head kick but it misses.
Pumphanmuang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pumphanmuang shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Saadulaev shoots in but Pumphanmuang avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Pumphanmuang dodges the punch combination from Saadulaev.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Pumphanmuang tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saadulaev swivels and escapes.
Pumphanmuang goes for a double leg but Saadulaev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Saadulaev continues to drive forward.
Saadulaev shoots for a double leg takedown but Pumphanmuang sprawls well. He's pushed Saadulaev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pumphanmuang shoots for a double leg takedown but Saadulaev sprawls well. He's pushed Pumphanmuang's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pumphanmuang fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Saadulaev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pumphanmuang, pushing him back against the ropes.
Pumphanmuang is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Saadulaev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pumphanmuang has Saadulaev pressed against the ropes, preventing Saadulaev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Pumphanmuang pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev thuds a left hand into Pumphanmuang's body.
Saadulaev shoots in looking for a takedown but Pumphanmuang manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Saadulaev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice sprawl there from Saadulaev as Pumphanmuang shoots in.
Pumphanmuang lands a high kick!
Pumphanmuang lands a jab-cross combination.

Saadulaev pushes Pumphanmuang up against the ropes in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pumphanmuang jumps guard but Saadulaev stands there with Pumphanmuang around his waist. Pumphanmuang gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Saadulaev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Pumphanmuang walks away with a smile on his face. Saadulaev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Suayngarm Pumphanmuang is winning the standup battle so far.
Pumphanmuang avoids the head kick by Saadulaev.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev tries to clinch but Pumphanmuang moves out of range.
Pumphanmuang feinted with a counter takedown.
Saadulaev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pumphanmuang.
Pumphanmuang sets himself, and Saadulaev steps forward looking for the clinch! Pumphanmuang avoids it this time.
Saadulaev takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Saadulaev throws a combination that misses
and Pumphanmuang cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Pumphanmuang shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saadulaev pinned against the ropes. Saadulaev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Saadulaev looks to score with a jab to the body but Pumphanmuang is just out of range.
Saadulaev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Pumphanmuang turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Pumphanmuang fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Pumphanmuang shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Saadulaev as he avoids it easily.

Saadulaev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pumphanmuang to the mat! Pumphanmuang manages to get full guard.
Pumphanmuang trying to keep a closed guard but Saadulaev is proving a slippery customer.
Saadulaev won't allow Pumphanmuang to get back to his feet.
Saadulaev not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Saadulaev wants to stand but Pumphanmuang has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Pumphanmuang keeping full guard, as Saadulaev tries to pass.
Saadulaev stops Pumphanmuang from standing up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Pumphanmuang keeping moving, preventing Saadulaev from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Saadulaev dives in and grabs Pumphanmuang's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pumphanmuang pushes down on Saadulaev's head and hops out.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pumphanmuang shoots in looking for a takedown but Saadulaev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pumphanmuang's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Pumphanmuang has a takedown stuffed.

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 Suayngarm Pumphanmuang.
Well Pumphanmuang has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Suayngarm Pumphanmuang!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Suayngarm Pumphanmuang!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Suayngarm Pumphanmuang!

Suayngarm Pumphanmuang wins by unanimous decision!