PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Clive Hicks (ranked 2358 p4p, 3004 weight class) and Nicholas Sartre (ranked 290 p4p, 348 weight class). Nicholas Sartre has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hicks
vs
Sartre

170 cm
23
170
1 - 0 - 1

185 cm
23
178
4 - 2 - 2

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

LEIKO CLOTHING (+ Laundry Services, 20% fee)

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 - 1, 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 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nicholas Sartre!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Trevor Gratis and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sartre takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Sartre is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hicks.
Hicks scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sartre throws a shot from downtown. Hicks moves away and avoids it.

Sartre closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sartre lands in his opponent's guard.
Sartre wants to stand but Hicks is controlling his posture from full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sartre gets to his feet - Hicks follows without any prompting.
Hicks takes a swing at Sartre's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sartre connects with a crisp jab.
Hicks throws a predictable looking body shot
and Sartre counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sartre throws a leg kick that misses.
Nice cross by Sartre.
Sartre throws a series of punches but Hicks moves out of range.
Sartre tries for a takedown but Hicks sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sartre enables Hicks to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sartre manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Hicks is looking to work some ground and pound but Sartre has wrist control.

Sartre is looking for a triangle but Hicks pushes his legs off easily.
Sartre working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sartre utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hicks cracks Sartre with a solid left hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sartre utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hicks wants to pass the guard but Sartre is keeping the position.
Sartre keeping moving, preventing Hicks from controlling successfully.
Hicks postures up and lands a big shot to Sartre's brow.
Hicks preventing the sweep.
Hicks throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Sartre has his foot on Hicks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hicks works his way back into a safe position though.
Hicks throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sartre works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hicks working some strikes from top position.
Hicks has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sartre looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hicks is looking to work some ground and pound but Sartre has wrist control.
Hicks not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
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 might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hicks postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sartre utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hicks loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hicks makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hicks trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks with a nice head shot there.
Hicks postures up and lands a big shot to Sartre's brow.
Sartre not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hicks working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sartre's head.
Hicks throws a big right hand that misses.
Hicks is working Sartre over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hicks sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sartre working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hicks.

Sartre scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Hicks misses with a hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sartre.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sartre scores with a nice head shot.
Hicks throws the left hand but Sartre avoids the punch easily.
Hicks throws a looping overhand right but Sartre ducks down to avoid it.
Sartre loads up on a big right hand but Hicks slips the punch.
Hicks tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sartre sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hicks somewhat.
Sartre uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hicks.
Sartre lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sartre connects with a single shot there.

Hicks moves into the clinch.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hicks is trying to break free.
I was talking to Hicks's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Hicks can't find room to land a body shot as Sartre controls the action.
Sartre has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hicks misses with some punches.
Sartre tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sartre swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Hicks gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Hicks content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hicks wants to pass the guard but Sartre is keeping the position.
Hicks working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hicks scoring with punches to the head and body.

Sartre has his foot on Hicks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hicks works his way back into a safe position though.
Hicks postures up.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hicks scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sartre is trying to keep Hicks in close.
Hicks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Sartre had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hicks defends it easily.
Hicks with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sartre avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hicks missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Sartre throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hicks trying to control the position from guard on top but Sartre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hicks lands a couple of elbows.

Hicks got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sartre has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hicks has managed to get both his arms back between Sartre's legs - danger averted.
Hicks postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hicks chips away with some ground and pound.
Hicks with a nice head shot there.
Hicks working some strikes from top position.
Hicks loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
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 tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hicks keeping moving, preventing Sartre from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hicks holds on and takes a little breather.
Sartre wants to pass the guard but Hicks is keeping the position.
Hicks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sartre won't allow Hicks to sweep him here.
Hicks is working hard here to advance position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Clive Hicks dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hicks feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Sartres jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sartre throws a front kick that sends Hicks stumbling back into the cage.
Hicks takes a swing at Sartre's ribcage but misses.
Sartre feints the counter takedown.
Sartre staying out of range there.
It seemed like Sartre was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nicholas Sartre seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A low kick lands for Sartre.
Sartre throws a body kick that misses.
Hicks shoots in looking for a takedown but Sartre manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hicks's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sartre tries a quick counter leg kick but Hicks is wise to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks throws a lazy uppercut
and Sartre cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sartre keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sartre tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hicks manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sartre throws the kick towards the body but Hicks avoids it.
Sartre just misses with a punch to the body.
Hicks drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sartre sprawls and moves away.
A swing and a miss from Hicks.
Hicks doesn't manage to clinch there - Sartre circles away.
Sartre is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Hicks goes for a double leg but Sartre avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sartre continues to drive forward.
Hicks lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sartre using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hicks has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hicks blocking some punches.
Hicks misses with a body punch.
Hicks works on Sartre's body with a couple of short punches.
Hicks controlling the action here for a moment.

Hicks turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sartre tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hicks wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sartre is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Hicks looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Sartre is avoiding damage well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hicks scores with a couple of short elbows.
You can see the frustration on Sartre's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hicks working the ground and pound from side control.
Sartre gets back to half guard.
Sartre looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hicks throws a strike but Sartre avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hicks's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Sartre looking for a guillotine here but Hicks defends easily.
Hicks postures up and lands a big shot to Sartre's brow.
Hicks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sartre swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hicks cracks Sartre with a solid left hand.
Hicks with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sartre not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks working some strikes from top position.
Hicks working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hicks trying to control but Sartre is working from the bottom.
Sartre looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sartre preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Clive Hicks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hicks lands a couple of digs.
Hicks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hicks trying to control the position from guard on top but Sartre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sartre preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hicks postures up in Sartre's guard and throws a big left but Sartre blocks it.
Sartre working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hicks.

Sartre is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hicks cracks Sartre with a solid left hand.
Hicks trying to control the position from guard on top but Sartre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hicks with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hicks works over Sartre with some ground and pound from guard.
Sartre wants to sweep here but Hicks controlling him for the moment.
Sartre working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hicks.

That's six 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.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice body kick from Sartre.
Hicks misses with a hook.
Hicks has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hicks there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sartre scores with a jab to the body.
Hicks lands a jab to the head.
Hicks throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sartre sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hicks cracks Sartre with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hicks shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Clive Hicks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sartre wants to land a leg kick but Hicks is out of range.
Hicks scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sartre.
Sartre takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A punch lands to the side of Sartre 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sartre throws a hook to the side of Hicks's head but Hicks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sartre with a jab.
Hicks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sartre was well out of range. Poor timing from Hicks.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sartre! But no joy.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Hicks scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hicks looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hicks thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hicks wants to free his trapped foot but Sartre is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sartre tries to kick Hicks off but Hicks keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hicks lands strikes from half guard.
Hicks trying to control the action but Sartre is working from the bottom.
Hicks working over Sartre with some ground and pound. Sartre looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nice strikes from Hicks there.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hicks trying to control from half guard but Sartre is working away.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hicks connects with a nice short shot to Sartre's temple.
Hicks is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Sartre looking to control.

Sartre looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hicks throws a big elbow that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sartre working a defensive guard here.
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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Clive Hicks dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sartre takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sartre scores with a nice strike.
Sartre avoids the body shot from Hicks.
A swing and a miss from Hicks.
Sartre throws a leg kick but Hicks sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sartre takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks throws a lazy uppercut
and Sartre makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sartre connects with a crisp jab.
Hicks is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sartre can do to turn this around?
Sartre scores with a punch to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sartre fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hicks checks it well.
Sartre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hicks.
Hicks appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sartre gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sartre tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hicks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sartre tries to work over Hicks's front leg with a kick but Hicks checks it.
Hicks slips a straight right by Sartre.
Hicks just misses with a punch to the body.
Hicks slips a jab from Sartre.
Sartre looks to land a right hand but Hicks moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks lands with a good body shot.
Hicks throws a hook to the side of Sartre's head but Sartre sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hicks slips under a jab.
Sartre throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hicks changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sartre scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sartre missing with a left hand there. Hicks was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hicks tries to counter with a takedown but Sartre is quick to defend against it.
Hicks has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sartre.
Sartre scoring well with a low kick there.
Hicks blocks the body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sartre lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sartre has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Hicks connects with a body shot.
Hicks thuds his right hand into Sartre's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sartre avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sartre moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
That kick from Sartre tenderised Hicks's leg. Hicks is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sartre tries to clinch up.
Hicks drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sartre sprawls and moves away.
Sartre defending well as Hicks loads up on a big left hand.
A big left from Hicks misses.
It seemed like Sartre was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hicks moves into the clinch.
Hicks misses with the head strike.
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 misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hicks tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hicks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sartre's elbow.
Hicks has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sartre after a bit of a struggle.
Sartre lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hicks lands a body shot.
Sartre misses with the head strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sartre with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hicks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sartre's elbow.
Hicks taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sartre scores with a hook to the body.
Hicks slows down the pace here.
Hicks can't find room to land a body shot as Sartre controls the action.
A shot in the inside from Hicks.

Sartre has clasped his hands together around Hicks's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Hicks is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Sartre is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Sartre thowing shots but they're missing.
Hicks prevents any damage by holding on tight.
Hicks wants to hold on but Sartre pushes him away.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hicks sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hicks is looking for a sweep. Sartre is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sartre wants to get back to his feet.
Hicks wants to improve his position but Sartre is controlling well.

Sartre looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Nicholas Sartre has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Clive Hicks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hicks gets back to full guard.
Sartre wanted to stand there but Hicks had control of the position.
Hicks keeping moving, preventing Sartre from controlling successfully.
Sartre wants to stand but Hicks is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sartre stopping the sweep attempt from Hicks.

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.
Hicks keeping moving, preventing Sartre from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hicks throws out a loose jab but Sartre uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sartre tries to move into range but Hicks moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A low kick from Sartre is predictable there

and Hicks counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hicks throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sartre trying to keep a closed guard but Hicks is proving a slippery customer.
Hicks landing with the ground and pound.
Hicks working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sartre's head.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Sartre working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hicks doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hicks manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hicks working some strikes from top position.
Hicks postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hicks engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hicks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sartre is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hicks cracks Sartre with a solid left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nicholas Sartre.
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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Clive Hicks!
After the fight, Clive Hicks was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.