PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Octavio Saades (ranked 2313 p4p, 273 weight class) and Mauro Carnera (ranked 3231 p4p, 362 weight class). Carnera has chosen Bad Religion - Infected as his entrance music. Mauro Carnera has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Saades
vs
Carnera

185 cm
23
203 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
201 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Octavio Saades!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mauro Carnera!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Darius Henderson and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carnera takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Carnera throws a shot from downtown. Saades moves away and avoids it.
Carnera wants to clinch.
Saades avoids the body shot from Carnera.
Saades jabs Carnera to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Carnera throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Saades half committed to a counter leg kick.

Carnera clinches up with Saades and pushes him back against the cage.
Carnera misses with some punches.
Saades is looking to control Carnera's arms but Carnera gets an underhook and turns him. Now Saades has his back to the cage.
Carnera tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saades's elbow.
Saades lands on the inside with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carnera lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Saades lands a nice uppercut.
Saades misses with a punch on the inside.
Carnera lands a nice uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Carnera.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Carnera throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saadess head.
Carnera throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saadess head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carnera throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saadess head.
Saades doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Carnera.
Carnera has a couple of punches blocked by Saades.
Carnera blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Carnera struggles to land a body shot inside as Saades controls his hands.
Saades blocks a body shot from Carnera.
Carnera prevents Saades from breaking the clinch.
Carnera blocks an uppercut.
Saades swings wildly with an uppercut but Carnera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saades misses with a body punch.
Saades is trying to break free.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saades.
I was talking to Saades's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A nice right hand lands inside from Saades.
Carnera lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Carnera working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Carnera misses with the head strike.
Saades takes a shot to the head.
Carnera lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Carnera lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Carnera tries a body shot but Saades blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carnera works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Carnera blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Carnera throws a head punch that misses.
Saades misses with the head strike.
Saades lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Saades prevents a takedown attempt there.

Saades manages to break the clinch.
Saades misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Carnera.
Octavio Saades is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saades looks to score with a jab to the body but Carnera is just out of range.
A jab from Carnera does it's job there.
Saades throws a body kick that misses

and Carnera counters with a big uppercut that knocks Saades off his feet! Carnera dives into side control looking to finish!

Saades is rocked!
Carnera creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Saades sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Oh Saades is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
An elbow from Carnera crashes against the mat.
You can see the frustration on Saades's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Saades seems to have got his legs back now.
Sloppy strikes there by Carnera.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saades parries the strikes from Carnera easily there. Carnera is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Saades to escape.
Saades dodges the ground and pound from Carnera.
Saades is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Carnera wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Saades, who protects the arm well.
Saades wants to control but Carnera postures up.
Carnera throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Carnera throwing strikes but Saades manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Carnera gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Saades wants to work for an arm triangle but Carnera is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Carnera manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Carnera wants to sweep here but Saades controlling him for the moment.
Carnera keeping moving, preventing Saades from controlling successfully.
Carnera has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Carnera is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Saades is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Saades won't allow Carnera to sweep him here.

Carnera working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Saades doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Saades manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauro Carnera dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Saades misses with the body kick
and Carnera counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Saades throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Saades pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saades fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Carnera has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Good exchange - Saades coming out on top.
Carnera cracks Saades with an open hand slap.
Saades changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Carnera walks forward, straight into a front kick from Saades.
Saades throws a half hearted mid kick.
Carnera has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saades scores with a head kick. Carnera tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Mauro Carnera has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice cross by Saades.
Saades throws a lazy body kick
and Carnera counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Saades thinking.
Saades throws a lazy head kick
and Carnera counters with a nice body shot.
Saades throws a lazy head kick

and Carnera counters by clinching up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Carnera misses with a short punch on the inside.

Carnera gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carnera looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Saades with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Carnera not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Saades is defending against the submission attempts here by Carnera.
Saades wants to control but Carnera is keeping busy.
Carnera not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Carnera is keen to just control but Saades is a slippery customer.
Saades is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Saades trying to hold on to Carnera's head to control him but Carnera postures up.

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.

Carnera is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Saades is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Carnera throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Saades wants to improve his position but Carnera is controlling well.
Carnera sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Saades defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saades wants to get back to full guard.
Carnera prevents Saades from standing back up.
Carnera missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Saades is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saades takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Octavio Saades seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carnera throws a looping overhand right but Saades ducks down to avoid it.
Saades throws a predictable looking body shot

and Carnera counters with a left hand that sends Saades to the canvas!

It looks like Octavio Saades has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Carnera pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saades is keeping the position for now.
Carnera sitting in guard here, content to control.
Carnera passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saades is trying to control Carnera's posture but Carnera avoids it.
Carnera throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Saades parries the strikes from Carnera easily there. Carnera is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Saades to escape.
Carnera in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Carnera goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Saades has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Carnera but great work by Saades.
Carnera is looking for a sweep.
Carnera is not content to let Saades control the position.
Carnera gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauro Carnera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Carnera throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Saades misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Carnera counter with a right hand.
Carnera tries for a takedown but Saades sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Saades avoids the body shot from Carnera.
Crunch! Saades slams his shin into Carnera's torso.
Saades uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Carnera.
Saades getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Carnera cracks Saades with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Carnera tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saades swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Carnera darts in and clinches Saades up against the cage.
Saades has a couple of punches blocked by Carnera.
Carnera tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saades's elbow.
Carnera looking for a takedown.

Saades's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Saades throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saades connects with a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Carnera fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saades throws a body punch but Carnera moves out of range.
Saades lets loose with a powerful body kick. Carnera will feel that in the morning.
Saades goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Saades throws a sloppy head kick and Carnera moves out of range easily.
Saades feints and then cracks Carnera's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Carnera down.
Carnera lands with an overhand left.
Saades throws the kick towards the body but Carnera avoids it.
Carnera throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Carnera takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Carnera ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A big left from Carnera misses.
Saades uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Carnera.
A head kick misses from Saades.
Saades jabs at Carnera's body.
Octavio Saades has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carnera lands a jab to the head.
Saades changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Carnera throws a lazy right hand but Saades sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Saades looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Saades throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Saades fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Carnera is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Carnera throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saades stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Saades.
Carnera looks to land a right hand but Saades moved out of range.
Carnera thows a left - swing and a miss!
Carnera tries to clinch but Saades moves out of range.
Saades steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Carnera.
Saades misses with a wild body shot.
Saades darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carnera avoids the body shot from Saades.
Saades takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Carnera comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Saades misses with a kick to the body
letting Carnera counter with a right hand.
Carnera tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Carnera rushes Saades and presses him up against the cage.

Saades escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Saades gets tackled into the cage by Carnera. Carnera maintains the clinch.
Saades misses with the head strike.
Carnera working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Saades's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Carnera tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saades's elbow.
Carnera lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Carnera working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Saades swings wildly with an uppercut but Carnera uses good head movement to avoid it.
A frustrated look appears on Saades's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carnera lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Saades misses with a hook from the clinch.
Carnera scores with a nice hook to the head.
Carnera lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Saades backwards.
Mauro Carnera is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Saades tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Carnera's elbow.
Saades working aggressively here.
Saades swings wildly with an uppercut but Carnera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saades throws a punch but it's blocked by Carnera.
Saades tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Carnera blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Saades creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Saades misses with a short punch on the inside.

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 Octavio Saades.
Well Carnera 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29

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