PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Saad Sadiq (ranked 22827 p4p, 3453 weight class) and Xylon Kofel (ranked 253 p4p, 140 weight class). Sadiq comes to the cage accompanied by Where Have All The Boot Boys Gone - Slaughter And The Dogs . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sadiq
vs
Kofel

195 cm
33
200
4 - 9 - 1

173 cm
34
157
16 - 14 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Saad Sadiq !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 1, fighting out of New York, Xylon Kofel!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Daniel Bishop and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kofel connects with a crisp jab.
Kofel throws a leg kick but Sadiq checks it.
Sadiq feinted with a counter takedown.
Sadiq slips under a jab from Kofel.

Kofel gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kofel wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sadiq has him pressed against the cage.
Kofel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kofel lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kofel lands with a short shot to the head.
Sadiq gets through Kofel's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
We've been informed that Kofel has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Kofel misses with some punches.
Kofel is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sadiq to keep the fight standing.
Kofel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sadiq wants a takedown.
Kofel fails to pull guard.
Kofel is working Sadiq over against the cage.
I was talking to Sadiq 's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Sadiq drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sadiq stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kofel is trying to pull guard but Sadiq turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Saad Sadiq has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xylon Kofel.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good body shot from Kofel.
Kofel tries to pull guard but Sadiq forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sadiq .
Nice body punch from Sadiq - that landed with a thud.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Sadiq .
Sadiq tries to work over Kofel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Kofel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sadiq fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sadiq tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kofel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sadiq somewhat.
Sadiq on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kofel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sadiq feinted with a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Sadiq as he checks the leg kick.
Sadiq appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nice cross by Kofel.
Sadiq misses the jab.
Sadiq shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kofel lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sadiq 's sensitive parts.
Sadiq staying out of range there.
Kofel throws a poor cross that misses

and Sadiq counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sadiq postures up.
Sadiq 's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kofel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sadiq slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kofel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sadiq is one step ahead there.
Sadiq trying to control the position from guard on top but Kofel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kofel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sadiq defends it easily.
Sadiq in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kofel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sadiq appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kofel bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kofel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sadiq tries to counter with a takedown but Kofel is quick to defend against it.
Sadiq ducks under a wild hook from Kofel.
Sadiq changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kofel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sadiq swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kofel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sadiq sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sadiq half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kofel takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sadiq with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kofel to score with a decent uppercut.
Sadiq shoots in for a takedown but Kofel shows good takedown defense.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sadiq or perhaps it was just good defense by Kofel, which made it look bad.
Kofel is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Xylon Kofel dominated that round.
That's time! Sadiq 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

The fighters circling - Kofel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sadiq drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kofel sprawls and moves away.
Kofel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Kofel misses the target.
Sadiq half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sadiq shoots in looking for a takedown. Kofel tries to sprawl out of it but Sadiq keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kofel manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kofel misses with a looping right.
Sadiq shoots in and drives through. Kofel sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Kofel misses its intended target.

Sadiq shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kofel is trying to defend but Sadiq finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sadiq prevents Kofel from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kofel is still trying to improve position.
Sadiq tries to pass to full mount but Kofel defends it.
Sadiq is trying to control. Kofel wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kofel trying to control here.
Kofel controlling the position well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sadiq has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Saad Sadiq . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kofel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sadiq attempts a counter takedown but Kofel avoids it well and moves away.
Xylon Kofel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sadiq keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kofel.
Sadiq shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kofel as he avoids it easily.
Sadiq shoots in for a takedown but Kofel shows good takedown defense.
Kofel misses with a straight left.
Xylon Kofel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kofel throws a lazy right hand but Sadiq sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sadiq uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kofel.
Sadiq uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kofel.
Sadiq half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kofel misses with a leg kick

and Sadiq counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sadiq is trying to control. Kofel wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kofel is pressing down on Sadiq 's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kofel pulls Sadiq in to control the position.
Sadiq trying to control the position from guard on top but Kofel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sadiq wants to pass the guard but Kofel is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kofel managing to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Sadiq tries to free his leg and advance position but Kofel is retaining full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kofel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kofel scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sadiq connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kofel lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Xylon Kofel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

A big left from Kofel misses.
Kofel scores with the left hand. Sadiq knows he should have avoided that one.
Kofel throws a good cross that connects.
Sadiq ducks under a wild hook from Kofel.
Sadiq attempts a counter takedown but Kofel avoids it well and moves away.
Kofel throws the left hand but Sadiq avoids the punch easily.

Sadiq dives in and scores a takedown into Kofel's guard.
Kofel managing to control the position.
Sadiq keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kofel's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sadiq postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sadiq throws a big elbow that misses.
Kofel manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sadiq manages to get himself to full guard.

Sadiq is controlling Kofel's posture.
Kofel trying to control but Sadiq is working from the bottom.

That's two 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.
Kofel looking to pass the guard.
Kofel wants to control from the top but Sadiq keeps moving.
Sadiq managing to control the position.
Kofel wants to control from the top but Sadiq keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kofel throws a leg kick

and Sadiq counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kofel!
Sadiq tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kofel is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Sadiq wants to work for an arm triangle but Kofel is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sadiq will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kofel is looking for a sweep. Sadiq is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kofel trying to get back to full guard but Sadiq takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kofel is working to get back to half guard.
Kofel tries to lock up and control but Sadiq gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Saad Sadiq has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kofel is looking to improve his position but Sadiq isn't that keen on the idea.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sadiq scoring with strikes but Kofel is staying in there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saad Sadiq showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kofel has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!