PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Octavio Saades (ranked 2696 p4p, 1178 weight class) and Don Stewart (ranked 346 p4p, 162 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Stewart's choice of entrance music: free ma niggas!. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Saades
vs
Stewart

185 cm
30
196
11 - 6 - 0

183 cm
39
187
34 - 18 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Fast

MKFC
Hardcore Sports Nutrition

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Octavio Saades!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Don Stewart!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Luis Engracia and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saades fails in his attempt to clinch.
Saades attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Horrible takedown attempt by Saades or perhaps it was just good defense by Stewart, which made it look bad.
Stewart with a hook.
Stewart has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
A head kick misses from Stewart.
Saades is looking to score with low kicks.
Good standup being displayed there by Stewart as he connects with a hook.

Stewart takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saades is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stewart pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stewart misses with a punch on the inside.
Stewart misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stewart.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saades pulls Stewart into guard.
Stewart showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Saades wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Stewart pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saades is keeping the position for now.
Stewart postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stewart pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saades is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Stewart's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart stays in close to Saades's body and controls the position.
Let's hope that Stewart has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Stewart throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Saades works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saades keeping moving, preventing Stewart from controlling successfully.
Stewart sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Stewart wants to control from the top but Saades keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saades trying to keep a closed guard but Stewart is proving a slippery customer.

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

Stewart has taken the fight to the clinch.
Stewart throws a head punch that misses.
Stewart has a couple of punches blocked by Saades.
Stewart misses with the head strike.
Saades pushes off an throws an elbow but Stewart leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Saades is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stewart pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Octavio Saades. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Saades breaks the clinch.
Saades closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stewart circles away.
Saades takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Saades.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stewart tries to clinch but Saades is having none of it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Saades or perhaps it was just good defense by Stewart, which made it look bad.
Stewart throws a big counter head kick but Saades avoids it with no problem.
Stewart throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Saades.
Saades motions for Stewart to come forward. Saades throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Stewart rushes Saades and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Stewart lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stewart.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stewart swings wildly with an uppercut but Saades uses good head movement to avoid it.

Saades pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stewart tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Saades manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Stewart misses with a combination
and Saades makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Stewart really felt that one!
Saades uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stewart.
Saades is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Stewart jabs Saades to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Saades looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Stewart!
Stewart misses with an elbow from the bottom.
The ground and pound from Saades seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Stewart regains half guard.
Saades performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saades is trying to control. Stewart wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Stewart is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Saades is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stewart sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stewart punching from the bottom.
Stewart tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Stewart missing with punches from the bottom.
Saades throwing shots but Stewart is blocking nicely.
Saades is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Saades working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Saades blocks the strikes from Stewart.
Saades moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Stewart.
Stewart striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Stewart connects with an elbow from the bottom.
Stewart is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Stewart is looking to regain half guard here but Saades keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart stops Saades from passing to mount.
Saades avoids the strikes from the bottom by Stewart.
Saades working the body and head with strikes.
Stewart is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Saades trying to control the action but Stewart is working from the bottom.
Stewart throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Stewart is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Saades's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Saades blocks the strikes from Stewart.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saades tries to stand but can't do so whilst Stewart controls his leg.
Stewart gets full guard.
Stewart striking off his back but it's not causing Saades any problems.
Stewart throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Saades is looking to stand up but Stewart won't let him.
Stewart tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Saades wanted to stand there but Stewart had control of the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Stewart swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stewart lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Octavio Saades is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stewart moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Saades tries to clinch up.

Stewart clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stewart fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stewart lands with a light punch inside.
Stewart working aggressively here.
Saades blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stewart.
Saades looking to stall.
Saades tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Stewart working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Stewart misses with a hook from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stewart tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Saades blocking some punches.
Saades is looking to take this one to the mat.
Stewart working aggressively here.
Stewart misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stewart misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Stewart 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!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Saades.
Saades shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stewart sprawls well. Stewart wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Saades gets slowly back to his feet.
Stewart throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saades jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

Stewart clinches up against the cage.
Saades blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stewart misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saades wants to take the fight to the mat but Stewart manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Octavio Saades. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Saades manages to break the clinch.
Saades tries to clinch up.
Stewart tries a head kick but it misses.
Saades seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Saades tries for a takedown but Stewart sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Stewart does no damage.
Saades shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stewart pinned against the cage. Stewart gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Saades moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromStewart.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Stewart has closed the distance and engaged Saades in a clinch.
Saades changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stewart fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Saades fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Stewart looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Stewart gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart misses with some punches.
Saades looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A nice left hand lands by Stewart.
Stewart misses with a hook from the clinch.

Saades ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Saades no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stewart accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stewart has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Saades looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stewart trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stewart trying to control the position from guard on top but Saades is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stewart content to stall in guard here.
Octavio Saades overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stewart throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Saades tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stewart was well out of range. Poor timing from Saades.
Stewart fails to land with a series of punches.
Saades tries for a takedown but Stewart sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Saades tries to keep at a distance but Stewart has taken the fight into the clinch.
Saades jumps guard but Stewart turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Stewart tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Stewart in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Stewart has a couple of punches blocked by Saades.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saades breaks the clinch.

Stewart drives through and clinches with Saades against the cage.
Saades goes for a takedown in the clinch but Stewart prevents it.
Saades blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stewart lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saades wants to stall.
Saades jumps guard but Stewart turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A head punch on the inside from Stewart fails to land.
Saades tries to circle away but Stewart has him pinned against the cage.
Don Stewart seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Stewart has a couple of punches blocked by Saades.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Saades jumps guard.
Stewart's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Stewart really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Saades is looking to clinch but Stewart is avoiding it.
Saades tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stewart swivels and escapes.
Stewart is looking to clinch.
Stewart lands with a nice combination. Saades backs away looking to recover.
Stewart goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Stewart tries to keep at a distance but Saades has taken the fight into the clinch.
Saades is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stewart pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saades drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Octavio Saades. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stewart throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saades tries for a takedown but Stewart manages to get underhooks.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Saades manages to break the clinch.

Stewart moves into range and clinches up with Saades.
Stewart has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stewart working aggressively here.
Saades blocks an uppercut.
Stewart swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stewart misses with some punches.
Stewart misses with a punch on the inside.
Saades goes for a takedown in the clinch but Stewart prevents it.
Stewart misses with some punches.
Stewart working aggressively here.
Stewart swings wildly with an uppercut but Saades uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saades blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saades lands a hook that snaps the head of Stewart backwards.
Stewart fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Saades wants to take the fight to the mat but Stewart manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Saades blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saades is trying to pull guard but Stewart has him pressed against the cage.
Saades blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stewart throws a head punch that misses.
Stewart blocks a body shot from Saades.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saades.
Saades has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stewart misses with some punches.
Stewart misses with the head strike.
Stewart has a couple of punches blocked by Saades.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stewart lands with a left to the head.
Still in the clinch, Stewart scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saades is trying to pull guard but Stewart turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Stewart misses with a short punch on the inside.
Saades tries to pull guard but Stewart holds him up against the cage and eventually Saades drops back down to his feet.
Saades tries a body shot but Stewart blocks it.
Stewart misses with a punch on the inside.
Stewart has a couple of punches blocked by Saades.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stewart.
Saades is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Stewart to keep the fight standing.
Saades jumps guard but Stewart turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Stewart swings wildly with an uppercut but Saades uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stewart has a couple of punches blocked by Saades.
Stewart misses with a hook from the clinch.

Saades's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Stewart misses.
Don Stewart seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stewart keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Saades doesn't manage to clinch there - Stewart circles away.
Stewart connects with a high kick.
Saades shoots in for a takedown but Stewart shows good takedown defense.
Saades shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Saades takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stewart scores with a head kick.

Stewart has closed the distance and engaged Saades in a clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stewart fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stewart working aggressively here.
Stewart swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Stewart dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

No joy there for Stewart, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stewart tries a head kick but it misses.

Stewart moves into range and clinches up with Saades.
Saades blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Saades jumps guard but Stewart stands there with Saades around his waist. Saades gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stewart scores with a shot to the side of Saades's head.
Stewart swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Saades is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Stewart to keep the fight standing.
Stewart throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saadess head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stewart swings wildly with an uppercut but Saades uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stewart throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saades.
Stewart tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Saades drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stewart gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Octavio Saades. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saades blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Saades wants a takedown.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Still in the clinch, Stewart scores with a nice short uppercut.
Stewart misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saades blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saades.
Saades blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saades blocks an uppercut.
Stewart gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Saades.
Stewart lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saades tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Saades lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stewart backwards.
Stewart misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saades blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saades is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Stewart is defending well.
Saades blocks an uppercut.
Saades blocks an uppercut.
Saades can't find room to land a body shot as Stewart controls the action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stewart.
Saades blocks an uppercut.

Saades breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stewart scores with a jab to the body.

Stewart rushes Saades and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saades blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stewart misses with some punches.
Saades jumps guard but Stewart stands there with Saades around his waist. Saades gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Saades tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stewart just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short right from Stewart on the inside.

Saades successfully pulls guard.
Stewart advances to half guard.
Stewart frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stewart lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Stewart working for a guillotine from mount but Saades is in no mood to give up.
Saades is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stewart lands a couple of good shots and Saades has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Stewart lands an elbow to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A lull in the action here.
Stewart really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Saades.
Stewart missing with strikes from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Don Stewart comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stewart 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 45:50
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 44:50
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Don Stewart!
Don Stewart is the new middleweight champion!
Don Stewart bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.