PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Adrian Shota (ranked 2091 p4p, 287 weight class) and Octavio Saades (ranked 2505 p4p, 329 weight class). Shota comes to the cage accompanied by Black Panther Theme by Stephen James Taylor . Adrian Shota could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Octavio Saades's chin.

Shota
vs
Saades

185 cm
45
202 lbs
35 - 21 - 1

185 cm
23
203 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 21 - 1, fighting out of London, Adrian Shota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Octavio Saades!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saades throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Saades changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Shota gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Saades.
Shota moves out of range of the body kick.
Shota checks a leg kick.
Saades misses with a low kick.
A jab from Saades misses.
Shota tries to counter with a takedown but Saades is quick to defend against it.
Octavio Saades seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saades looks to land a body kick but Shota moved away.
Shota attempts a counter takedown but Saades avoids it well and moves away.
Saades throws a low kick but it's checked well by Shota.
Saades throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shota keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Shota attempts a counter takedown but Saades avoids it well and moves away.
Shota blocks a head kick by Saades.
Shota moves out of range as Saades throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saades moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Shota walks forward, straight into a front kick from Saades.
Saades connects with a leg kick. Shota looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Saades misses with a body kick.
Saades misses with a double jab.
Shota changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Shota blocks the body kick.
Shota feinted with a counter takedown.
Saades throws a leg kick but Shota checks it.
Saades fakes the leg kick and cracks Shota in the body.
Octavio Saades is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shota slips under a jab.
Shota attempts a counter takedown but Saades avoids it well and moves away.
Saades chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saades. Shota does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shota attempts a counter takedown but Saades avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saades looks to land a left hand but Shota moved out of range nicely.
Shota half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Saades lands a big head kick that sends Shota tumbling to the mat! Saades takes a step backwards and waves Shota back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Shota is rocked!

It looks like Adrian Shota has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saades pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shota drops down looking for a counter takedown but Saades sprawls and moves away.
Shota moves forwards but Saades connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Oh Shota is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shota bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shota tries to counter with a takedown but Saades is quick to defend against it.
Shota seems to have got his legs back now.
Shota takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Saades.
Shota drops down looking for a counter takedown but Saades sprawls and moves away.
Shota moves out of range of the strikes.
Saades thows a leg kick but Shota checks it

and Shota counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Saades is controlling Shota's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saades is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Saades trying to control but Shota postures up.
Saades keeping hold of Shota's head, controlling as best he can.
Saades wants to sweep but Shota has passed to side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Saades wants to control but Shota postures up.
Saades is trying to improve his position.

Shota stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Saades cracks a nice hook into Shota's ribs.
Saades looks for the body kick but Shota saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Octavio Saades dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Adrian Shota's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Saades throws a hook but Shota blocks it.
Shota attempts a counter takedown but Saades avoids it well and moves away.
Saades throws a lazy right hand but Shota sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Saades throws a leg kick which misses Shota's front leg but catches the back leg as Shota tries to avoid it.
Adrian Shota is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shota keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saades lands a nice looking body shot.
Saades throws a body shot but no joy.
Shota half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Shota walks into a straight right hand from Saades.
Saades swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Shota tries to counter with a takedown but Saades is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saades connects with a crisp jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Saades.
Saades tries a low kick but Shota avoids it.
Saades throws a body punch but Shota moves out of range.
Shota tries to counter with a takedown but Saades is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saades misses with a kick to the body

and Shota decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Saades's guard.
Shota is standing up over Saades. Saades looks to escape but Shota dives into side control.

Shota decides to stand back up.
Saades has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saades throws a head kick but Shota moves out of range.
Shota changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Saades tries a head kick but it misses.
Shota appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Saades connects with an inside leg kick.
Saades connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Saades swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Shota.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saades scores with a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shota slips a jab from Saades.
Shota blocks a head kick by Saades.
Shota half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Saades misses with a combination

and Shota counters with a nice double leg into side control. Saades won't be happy with that.
Saades bucks up and tries to throw Shota off but instead Shota has got his back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shota avoiding Saades 's attempts to control his hands.

Shota gets back to his feet - a bit of a stange decision given the position he was in.
Saades throws a jab but it's blocked by Shota.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saades throws a lazy body kick

and Shota decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Saades's guard.

Saades pushes Shota off and gets back to his feet.
Saades throws a jab but it's blocked by Shota.
Shota drops down looking for a counter takedown but Saades sprawls and moves away.
Saades throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shota half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Saades misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shota tries to counter with a takedown but Saades is quick to defend against it.
Saades misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shota feinted with a counter takedown.
Shota uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Saades.
Shota appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Saades throws a half hearted mid kick.
Shota drops down looking for a counter takedown but Saades sprawls and moves away.
Saades connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shota chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Saades can pounce on him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saades throws a chopping leg kick but Shota manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Shota tries to counter with a takedown but Saades is quick to defend against it.
Shota avoids a kick to the body.
Saades misses with a low kick.
Saades looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Saades throws a lazy body kick

and Shota counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Shota gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Saades throws a head kick that misses

and Shota counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Shota gets to his feet. Saades looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Saades thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shota appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A low kick from Saades misses

and Shota counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Saades is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Shota dives into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Octavio Saades showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Adrian Shota's cut.
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!

Shota staying out of range there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Saades. That's going to slow Shota down.
Saades misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shota attempts a counter takedown but Saades avoids it well and moves away.
Shota takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Shota keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saades looks to score with a jab to the body but Shota is just out of range.
Shota checks a leg kick.
Saades pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Octavio Saades seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saades throws a lazy body kick

and Shota counters with a shoot takedown. Saades fights it but they end up in guard.
Saades working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saades tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Shota decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Saades, up you get!
Saades throws a low kick, looking for Shota's leg but Shota calmly moves out of range.
Saades misses with a wild body shot.
That kick from Saades tenderised Shota's leg. Shota is trying to keep his angry face on.
Saades throws a head kick that misses.
Shota closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Saades smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saades tried to score with a low kick but Shota checks it.
Shota appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Shota moves out of range of the body kick.
Shota tries to counter with a takedown but Saades is quick to defend against it.
Saades misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Shota feinted with a counter takedown.
Saades scores with a nice head shot.
Saades misses with a low kick.
Shota blocks the body kick.
Shota appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Saades misses with a low kick as Shota jumps back.
The fighters circling - Saades throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shota attempts a counter takedown but Saades avoids it well and moves away.
Saades misses with a kick to the body.
Shota half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Saades wants to slow Shota down by chopping away at his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saades looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Shota appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Shota avoids a kick to the body.
Saades pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Saades throws a series of punches but Shota avoids them all with ease.
Shota tries to counter with a takedown but Saades is quick to defend against it.
Some bone on bone action there as Shota checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Shota appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Saades.
Shota tries to counter with a takedown but Saades is quick to defend against it.
Saades looks to throw a body kick

and Shota counters with a shoot takedown. Saades fights it but they end up in guard.
Saades is looking to stand back up but Shota counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Saades.
Saades takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Saades trying to control but Shota postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saades is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Octavio Saades is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Shota escapes and gets back to his feet.
Saades connects with a body shot that sends Shota's belly button to the back.
Shota is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Shota moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saades fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shota manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Octavio Saades comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Saades 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 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Octavio Saades!
Adrian Shota was interviewed post fight and said 'Even the best of us have much to learn. My pain is well earned. May all my enemies be so skilled as you.'.