PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Clive Hicks (ranked 2324 p4p, 2909 weight class) and Nicholas Sartre (ranked 294 p4p, 356 weight class). Nicholas Sartre is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Hicks
vs
Sartre

170 cm
23
170
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
178
4 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Clive Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nicholas Sartre!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sartre lands with a nice body punch.
Sartre throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nicholas Sartre seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hicks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sartre.
Sartre ducks under a wild hook from Hicks.
Hicks lands a nice looking body shot.
A big right from Sartre misses.
Sartre lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sartre works Hicks's body with a nice hook.
Hicks looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hicks ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hicks shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sartre defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks works Sartre's body with a nice hook.
Jab by Sartre.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sartre tries to bum rush Hicks with a series of wild strikes but Hicks uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hicks appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hicks cracks Sartre with an open hand slap.
Sartre throws an overhand right that lands on Hicks's shoulder, as Hicks tries to avoid the shot.
Sartre swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hicks throws a body shot but no joy.
Sartre lands with a hook. Hicks tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sartre fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sartre misses with a hook.

Hicks shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Sartre is trying to defend but Hicks finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sartre is looking for a sweep. Hicks is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sartre is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hicks throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hicks working over Sartre with some ground and pound. Sartre looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sartre pushes Hicks off looking to stand but Hicks dives back in and keeps control.
Sartre is trying to get back to full guard.
Hicks not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sartre is concentrating on defense, preventing Hicks from advancing position.
Sartre has hold of Hicks's hands but Hicks slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sartre moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sartre looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hicks distracts Sartre with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hicks works over Sartre with some ground and pound from guard.
Hicks working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hicks throws a big elbow that misses.
Hicks with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sartre has his hands on Hicks's head, controlling the position.
Hicks stops Sartre from standing up.
Hicks with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sartre is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sartre seems keen to control Hicks's posture.
Sartre is looking to stand up but Hicks isn't so interested in that idea.
Sartre pulls Hicks in close to his closed guard and prevents Hicks from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hicks throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sartre works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sartre is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hicks is working Sartre over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sartre bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hicks's guard.

Hicks wants to sweep here but Sartre controlling him for the moment.
Hicks is trying to keep Sartre in close.
Hicks keeping moving, preventing Sartre from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hicks is on top in guard.

Hicks throws a big elbow that misses.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sartre holds on and takes a little breather.
Sartre utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hicks throwing strikes from guard but Sartre blocks nicely.
Sartre is trying to control the position but Hicks postures up.
Sartre wants to stand but Hicks is controlling the position.
Hicks won't allow Sartre to sweep him here.
Hicks is looking to work some ground and pound but Sartre has wrist control.
Hicks lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sartre working a defensive guard here.
Hicks landing with the ground and pound.
Sartre working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hicks.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hicks throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hicks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sartre looking to control.
Hicks prevents Sartre from getting back to his feet.

Sartre has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Hicks has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Hicks tries a body shot but Sartre blocks it.
Sartre blocking some punches.
Hicks is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hicks misses with the head strike.
Hicks working aggressively here.
Hicks taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Hicks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sartre working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sartre lands a body shot.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Sartre pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sartre throws an overhand right that lands on Hicks's shoulder, as Hicks tries to avoid the shot.
Hicks misses with a looping right.
Sartre connects with a looping right hand.

Hicks has closed the distance and engaged Sartre in a clinch.
Sartre tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hicks's elbow.
Hicks stalling against the cage.
Hicks can't find room to land a body shot as Sartre controls the action.

Sartre breaks the clinch.
Hicks tries for a takedown but Sartre circles away easily
and Hicks takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Clive Hicks has been cut.
Sartre tries to score with a low kick but Hicks moves his leg out of the way.
Sartre swings for the body but Hicks moves out of range.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sartre paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Sartre throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hicks just misses with a punch to the body.
Sartre throws a leg kick but Hicks checks it.
Sartre looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hicks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sartre scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sartre chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Decent striking displayed by Hicks there.
Hicks moves out of range as Sartre throws a body kick.
Hicks takes a swing at Sartre's ribcage but misses.
Hicks checks a leg kick nicely.
Sartre is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hicks checks a leg kick nicely.
Hicks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sartre paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sartre lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hicks connects with a body shot.

Hicks has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hicks can't find room to land a body shot as Sartre controls the action.
Hicks slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hicks.
Sartre is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hicks is defending well for now.
Sartre has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hicks throws a head punch that misses.
Sartre misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hicks avoiding damage.
Hicks throws a punch but it's blocked by Sartre.
Sartre misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hicks avoiding damage as Sartre throws knees to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nicholas Sartre will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Clive Hicks's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A telegraphed right hand from Sartre misses the target.
Hicks misses with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sartre. Hicks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hicks cracks Sartre with a good jab.
Hicks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sartre.
Hicks changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sartre takes a swing at Hicks's ribcage but misses.
Hicks changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sartre listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sartre throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sartre ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hicks moves away.
Sartre swings away with a body shot that misses

and Hicks counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hicks keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sartre's head.
Sartre utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hicks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hicks won't allow Sartre to get back to his feet.
Hicks postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks with a nice head shot there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hicks stands up over Sartre, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hicks content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Clive Hicks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hicks throwing strikes from guard but Sartre blocks nicely.
Hicks is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sartre working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hicks.

Sartre is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sartre has control of Hicks's left arm, preventing Hicks from doing any damage.
Hicks working some strikes from top position.
Hicks throws a big elbow that misses.
Sartre pulls Hicks in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks throwing strikes but missing.
Hicks postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hicks working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hicks throws a big elbow that misses.
Hicks throwing strikes from guard but Sartre blocks nicely.
Hicks lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sartre avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hicks lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sartre has his hands on Hicks's head, controlling the position.
Sartre wants to get back to his feet but Hicks is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hicks working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks trying to control the position from guard on top but Sartre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hicks with a nice head shot there.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hicks's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hicks has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sartre looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Hicks trying to control the position from guard on top but Sartre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hicks missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hicks lands a couple of elbows.
Hicks lands a couple of digs.
Hicks landing with the ground and pound.
Hicks works over Sartre with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks won't allow Sartre to sweep him here.
Hicks makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hicks is working Sartre over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sartre is trying to keep Hicks in close.
Hicks working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hicks stopping the sweep attempt from Sartre.
Sartre controlling the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sartre is on top in guard.

Sartre postures up in Hicks's guard and throws a big left but Hicks blocks it.
Sartre trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sartre engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sartre won't allow Hicks to sweep him here.
Sartre looking to pass the guard.
Hicks is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hicks has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Sartre wants to pass the guard but Hicks is keeping the position.
Sartre is stalling in the full guard.

That's six 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.
Sartre trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hicks is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sartre is controlling him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sartre throws a lazy uppercut

and Hicks counters with a shoot takedown. Sartre fights it but they end up in guard.
Sartre will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Hicks throws an elbow that misses. Sartre uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hicks's guard. Nice move by Sartre!

Hicks might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hicks keeping moving, preventing Sartre from controlling successfully.
Hicks is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hicks seems keen to control Sartre's posture.
Sartre preventing the sweep.
Sartre wants to control from the top but Hicks keeps moving.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Sartre sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hicks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sartre is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hicks pulls Sartre in close to his closed guard and prevents Sartre from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hicks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hicks working a defensive guard here.
Hicks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sartre postures up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Sartre trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hicks's guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sartre fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hicks looks to score with a jab to the body but Sartre is just out of range.
Sartre feints a counter leg kick.
Sartre digs a good body shot into Hicks's ribs.
Sartre scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sartre misses with a low kick as Hicks jumps back.
Hicks on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hicks checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sartre scores with a jab to the body.
Sartre rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Hicks counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sartre is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hicks is controlling him.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Sartre is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hicks preventing the sweep.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hicks with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sartre avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hicks throws a big elbow that misses.
Hicks won't allow Sartre to sweep him here.
Sartre seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hicks seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sartre pulls Hicks in close to prevent any damage.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Clive Hicks dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Clive Hicks's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sartre misses with a straight left.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sartre.
Sartre misses with a leg kick

and Hicks counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sartre won't be happy with that.

Sartre throws Hicks to one side and escapes!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hicks misses with a straight left.
Sartre slips under a jab from Hicks.
Sartre is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Sartre throws a leg kick that is checked

and Hicks counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Sartre uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Sartre ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sartre throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nice body punch from Hicks.
Sartre throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Sartre staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sartre. Hicks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hicks lands with a good body shot.
Sartre on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sartre loads up on a big right hand but Hicks slips the punch.
Hicks tries to counter with a takedown but Sartre is quick to defend against it.

Hicks dives in and scores a takedown into Sartre's guard.
Sartre wants to stand but Hicks is controlling the position.
Sartre looking for a sweep. Not yet Sartre, not yet.
Hicks is working Sartre over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Sartre has his feet on Hicks's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Good standup being displayed there by Sartre as he connects with a hook.
Sartre slips a jab from Hicks.
Sartre appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Sartre bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hicks's head backwards.
Sartre looks to score with a jab to the body but Hicks is just out of range.
Hicks looks to land a left hand but Sartre moved out of range nicely.
Sartre appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Hicks throws a hook to the side of Sartre's head but Sartre sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hicks scores with a decent looking hook.
Hicks fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hicks takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Hicks changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sartre looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Sartre bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
The fight stays on the outside here - Hicks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hicks just misses with a punch to the body.
Hicks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sartre.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sartre rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

so Hicks counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sartre looking for a sweep. Not yet Sartre, not yet.
Hicks trying to control the position from guard on top but Sartre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hicks lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hicks throwing strikes but missing.
Hicks being controlled here momentarily.
Sartre tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sartre looking to control.
Hicks missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hicks distracts Sartre with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sartre tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hicks chips away with some ground and pound.
Hicks postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hicks works over Sartre with some ground and pound from guard.
Hicks cracks Sartre with a solid left hand.
Sartre tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hicks is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sartre not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sartre wants to stand and escape but Hicks is having none of it.
Hicks postures up and lands a big shot to Sartre's brow.
Hicks throws a big elbow that misses.
Hicks keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sartre's head.
Hicks throwing strikes but missing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hicks is looking to work some ground and pound but Sartre has wrist control.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hicks won't allow Sartre to sweep him here.
Hicks postures up.
Sartre is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hicks distracts Sartre with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hicks won't allow Sartre to get back to his feet.
Sartre throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Sartre avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hicks loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hicks throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hicks lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hicks lands a couple of digs.
Sartre wants to stand and escape but Hicks is having none of it.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hicks makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Sartre is rocked!
Sartre lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sartre being controlled here momentarily.
Sartre is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hicks managing to control the position.
Sartre trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hicks has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hicks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hicks trying to control the position here.
Hicks trying to control the position.
Hicks is pulling down on Sartre's head to control his posture.
Sartre is working Hicks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hicks keeping moving, preventing Sartre from controlling successfully.
Sartre seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sartre lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Hicks scores with a takedown into Sartre's guard.
Hicks stands up over Sartre, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hicks stopping the sweep attempt from Sartre.
Hicks missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sartre working a defensive guard here.
Sartre looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hicks is one step ahead there.
Hicks lands a couple of elbows.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hicks being controlled here momentarily.
Hicks is in close to Sartre's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hicks chips away with some ground and pound.
Sartre has momentary wrist control but Hicks slips an elbow through the middle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hicks accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sartre is on top in guard.

Sartre trying to control but Hicks is working from the bottom.
Hicks wants to sweep but no luck.
Hicks is working hard here to advance position.

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 Clive Hicks.
I think Hicks 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:28

The fight is ruled a draw!