PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xi Daerji (ranked 25489 p4p, 25507 weight class) and Amir Sedaghat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Daerji has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Xi Daerji has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Daerji
vs
Sedaghat

182 cm
23
155
2 - 3 - 0

180 cm
18
155
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Xi Daerji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Amir Sedaghat!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Taro Takaoka and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sedaghat tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Daerji paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Good exchange - Sedaghat coming out on top.
Daerji fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Daerji drives through and clinches with Sedaghat against the cage.

Daerji's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Daerji takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Sedaghat scores with a head kick. Daerji tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Sedaghat tries to clinch but Daerji moves out of range.
Sedaghat thuds his shin into the meat of Daerji's side.
Sedaghat scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sedaghat is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Daerji attempts a counter takedown but Sedaghat avoids it well and moves away.
Sedaghat is looking to clinch.

Daerji clinches.
Daerji tries for a takedown but Sedaghat manages to get underhooks.
Daerji is breathing heavily.

Daerji breaks the clinch.
Amir Sedaghat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daerji pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sedaghat tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Daerji manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Daerji darts in and clinches Sedaghat up against the cage.
Daerji keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sedaghat's efforts to push away.
Sedaghat is trying to break the clinch but Daerji has him pressed against the cage.
Sedaghat wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sedaghat wants to break free but Daerji has control.
Sedaghat is trying to break the clinch but Daerji is controlling him.
Daerji tries to score a body lock takedown but Sedaghat shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xi Daerji. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sedaghat has had enough of the clinch but Daerji keeps him there for the moment.
Sedaghat is trying to break the clinch but Daerji has him pressed against the cage.

Daerji breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sedaghat pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sedaghat scoring well with a low kick there.
Daerji takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Daerji instigates a clinch.
Sedaghat looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sedaghat tries to break the clinch but Daerji is controlling the position.
Daerji stalling in the clinch.
Daerji keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sedaghat's efforts to push away.
Daerji wants a takedown.
Sedaghat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sedaghat is trying to break free.

Daerji manages to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sedaghat wants to get up but he can't break Daerji's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Daerji is on top in guard.

Daerji gets to his feet. Sedaghat looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Daerji moves into range and clinches up with Sedaghat.
Daerji stalls.
Sedaghat is looking to break free of the clinch but Daerji has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sedaghat stops a takedown attempt from Daerji.
Sedaghat wants to break free but Daerji has control.

Daerji jumps guard and drags Sedaghat to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Sedaghat would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Daerji looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Daerji throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Sedaghat really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Daerji. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Daerji has Sedaghat pulled in close to control his posture.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sedaghat wants to stand and escape but instead Daerji has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Daerji chips away with some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Xi Daerji will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sloppy strikes from Sedaghat. Those never looked like landing.
Daerji appears to be looking for a big counter.
Sedaghat throws a sloppy head kick and Daerji moves out of range easily.
Sedaghat scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sedaghat throws a head kick that half lands.
Sedaghat tries to clinch but Daerji moves away
and Daerji counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Daerji crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sedaghat - the referee stops the clock and Daerji gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sedaghat. Daerji manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Daerji closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sedaghat looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sedaghat avoiding damage as Daerji throws knees to the body.

Daerji ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Daerji no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sedaghat trying to stand up but can't free himself from Daerji's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Daerji is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Daerji stands up from Sedaghat's guard - Daerji perhaps looking for a knockout.
Sedaghat misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Daerji fails with the takedown.
Sedaghat fails in his attempt to clinch.
Daerji appears to be looking for a big counter.
Daerji swats away the attempt to clinch by Sedaghat.
Daerji misses with a head kick.
Sedaghat dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Daerji. That did some damage!
A nice combination there by Sedaghat.
Daerji blocks a head kick by Sedaghat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sedaghat tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sedaghat tries to close the distance and clinch but Daerji swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sedaghat is looking to slow Daerji down with leg kicks.
Daerji shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sedaghat but Sedaghat pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Daerji dives in for a single leg takedown but Sedaghat sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xi Daerji. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sedaghat looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Daerji has Sedaghat pressed against the cage.

Daerji breaks from the clinch.
Sedaghat stalks Daerji and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Daerji's face. Daerji staggers backwards, shaken.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sedaghat wants to clinch up but Daerji keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sedaghat throws a lazy head kick

and Daerji moves into the clinch.
Daerji is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sedaghat gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sedaghat tries to break free but Daerji pushes him back against the cage.
Daerji changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sedaghat fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A head kick misses from Sedaghat.
Daerji takes a kick to the side of the head.
Daerji stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sedaghat.
Daerji changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sedaghat tries to avoid it but Daerji manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sedaghat to the ground. Sedaghat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Daerji thuds his right hand into Sedaghat's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sedaghat tries to close the distance and clinch but Daerji swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Amir Sedaghat seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Daerji lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Both fighters circling a little - Sedaghat finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sedaghat misses with a head kick.
Sedaghat lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Daerji circles away quickly and effectively.
Sedaghat connects with a solid leg kick.
Sedaghat throws a combination that misses

and Daerji counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Daerji.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Daerji keeps control of Sedaghat as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sedaghat wants to break free but Daerji has control.
Sedaghat prevents the takedown attempt.
Daerji with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Daerji is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sedaghat is defending well.
Sedaghat can't break the clinch.

Daerji has hold of one of Sedaghat's legs. Sedaghat is fighting the takedown attempt but Daerji gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Sedaghat is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Daerji dives into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Amir Sedaghat will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Daerji fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And Sedaghat responds with a good body kick, but Daerji manages to step out the way in time.
Sedaghat is looking to clinch.
Sedaghat throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
No joy there for Sedaghat, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Daerji blocks a head kick by Sedaghat.
Sedaghat lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sedaghat throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Daerji.
Sedaghat is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sedaghat throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Daerji pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Daerji looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sedaghat is fending him off so far but Daerji persists. Nope, Sedaghat circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sedaghat lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sedaghat throws a sloppy head kick and Daerji moves out of range easily.
Daerji shoots in looking for a takedown but Sedaghat manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Daerji's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xi Daerji. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Daerji moves into range and clinches up with Sedaghat.
Daerji can't get the takedown.
Daerji tries to score a body lock takedown but Sedaghat shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sedaghat blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Daerji pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Daerji blocks a head kick by Sedaghat.

Daerji drives through and clinches with Sedaghat against the cage.
Sedaghat misses with an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sedaghat is trying to break the clinch but Daerji has him pressed against the cage.

Daerji gets control of Sedaghat's arms and successfully pulls guard. Daerji will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Xi Daerji overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Daerji working for a triangle but Sedaghat defends it easily.
Daerji 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.

Daerji has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Sedaghat is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Daerji is trying to trip Sedaghat. He has hold of a leg but Sedaghat is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Daerji persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Daerji looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Daerji gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sedaghat.
Daerji shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sedaghat but Sedaghat pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Daerji darts in looking for a takedown but Sedaghat gets double underhooks and turns Daerji into the cage.
Despite the aggression on Sedaghat's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sedaghat looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Daerji breaks from the clinch.
Sedaghat misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sedaghat lands a high kick!
Sedaghat tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Daerji counters with a nice uppercut.
Daerji shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sedaghat as he jumps to the side.
Daerji shoots for a takedown but Sedaghat saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sedaghat turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sedaghat looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Daerji darts in looking for a takedown but Sedaghat gets double underhooks and turns Daerji into the cage.

Daerji gets control of Sedaghat's arms and successfully pulls guard. Daerji will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Daerji lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Daerji sitting in guard here, content to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Amir Sedaghat.
I think Sedaghat 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Amir Sedaghat!