PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aslambek Saidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Waka Flame (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Waka Flame has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Saidov
vs
Flame

176 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

189 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aslambek Saidov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Waka Flame!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, John Kavanagh and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flame shoots in for a takedown but Saidov shows good takedown defense.
Flame throws a chopping leg kick but Saidov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Flame tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Flame shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Saidov as he avoids it easily.
Saidov misses with a double jab.
Flame misses with a double jab.
Flame misses with a wild combination.
Saidov misses with a few strikes there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Flame.
Aslambek Saidov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Waka Flame.
Flame paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Saidov tried to score with a low kick but Flame checks it.
Flame shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Saidov sprawls well. Saidov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Flame gets slowly back to his feet.
A combination from Saidov does no damage.
A head kick misses from Saidov.
Saidov throws a right hand that Flame ducks under and follows up with a left that Flame also avoids with ease.
Saidov moves out of range as Flame throws a body kick.
Saidov misses with a double jab.
Saidov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saidov checks a low kick from Flame.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saidov lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Waka Flame has been cut.
Saidov tries a head kick but it misses.
A right-left combo lands from Flame.
Flame lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Saidov is rocked!
Flame looks gassed!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saidov misses with a double jab.
Oh Saidov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Flame gets the takedown into side control.

Flame looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Saidov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Flame is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Saidov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Saidov seems to have got his legs back now.
Flame wants to stand but Saidov is controlling his arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saidov is not content to let Flame control the position.
Saidov pushes Flame away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Flame gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Saidov trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Flame throws a nice looking combination but Saidov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A combination from Flame does no damage.
Saidov throws a nice head kick!
Flame ducks under a wild hook from Saidov.
Flame shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Saidov as he jumps to the side.
Flame shoots in for a double leg but Saidov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Saidov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flame will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Flame slips a jab from Saidov.
Flame throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Saidov's waist but Saidov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Flame off to one side.
Saidov throws a sloppy head kick and Flame moves out of range easily.
Saidov throws a wild body kick that Flame sees coming a mile off.
Flame thuds his right hand into Saidov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Saidov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Flame throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Saidov's head.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Flame.
Flame shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Saidov sprawls well. Saidov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Flame gets slowly back to his feet.
Saidov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Saidov throws a series of punches but Flame avoids them all with ease.
Saidov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flame fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Saidov fails to land with a series of punches.
Flame is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Flame throws a series of punches but Saidov avoids them all with ease.
Flame shoots in for a double leg but Saidov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Flame lands with a nice combination. Saidov backs away looking to recover.
Saidov throws a head kick that half lands.
Saidov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Flame.
Flame throws a right hand that Saidov ducks under and follows up with a left that Saidov also avoids with ease.
Saidov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Flame.
Flame fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Flame shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saidov defends it nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Flame tries for a takedown but Saidov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Saidov misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waka Flame dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Waka Flame's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Flame dives in and grabs Saidov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Saidov pushes down on Flame's head and hops out.
Saidov misses with a series of wild punches.
Saidov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Saidov wants it to stay on the feet.
Saidov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Saidov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Flame counters with a thumping low kick.
Saidov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Flame dives in and grabs Saidov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Saidov pushes down on Flame's head and hops out.
Aslambek Saidov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Waka Flame.
Saidov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Flame tries to score with a low kick but Saidov moves his leg out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flame has a takedown stuffed.
Flame moves out of range as Saidov strikes.
Flame works Saidov's body with a nice hook.
Saidov has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Flame will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flame fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Saidov - that will leave a mark!
Flame fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Saidov just misses with a punch to the body.
Flame fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Saidov!
Flame blocks a head kick by Saidov.
Saidov slaps away a takedown attempt from Flame, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Aslambek Saidov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Flame fails with an attempt to clinch.
Saidov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Flame shoots in and drives through. Saidov sprawls well.
Saidov dodges the punch combination from Flame.
Flame throws a good cross that connects.
Flame shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Saidov as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flame shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saidov but Saidov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Saidov throws a head kick but Flame moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Saidov as Flame shoots in.
Saidov lands a two punch combo.
Saidov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Flame shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saidov pinned against the cage. Saidov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Flame tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saidov swivels and escapes.
Flame shoots for a double leg takedown but Saidov sprawls well. He's pushed Flame's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Saidov connects with a single shot there.
Flame shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Saidov as he jumps to the side.
Flame doesn't manage to clinch there - Saidov circles away.
Saidov scores with a push kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saidov throws a jab when Flame was well out of range.
Saidov swings for the body but Flame moves out of range.
Flame shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saidov defends it nicely.
Flame changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Saidov tries to avoid it but Flame manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Saidov to the ground. Saidov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Saidov misses with the combination.
Flame stalks Saidov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Saidov's face. Saidov staggers backwards, shaken.
Saidov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Saidov stuffs the takedown.
Saidov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Saidov stuffs the takedown attempt from Flame. Flame gets slowly back to his feet.
Flame scores with a nice right hand.
A head kick misses from Saidov.

That's four 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.
Saidov throws a body kick that misses.
Flame shoots in for a double leg but Saidov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice shot lands for Flame.
Flame dives in and grabs Saidov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Saidov pushes down on Flame's head and hops out.
Saidov misses with the combination.
Saidov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Flame fails with a takedown attempt.
Saidov connects with a single shot there.
Flame fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A head kick misses from Saidov.
Aslambek Saidov is winning the standup battle so far.
A punch combination from Flame misses.
A combination from Saidov does no damage.
Flame fails with the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aslambek Saidov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Waka Flame's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Flame shoots in for a takedown but Saidov shows good takedown defense.
No joy there for Saidov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saidov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saidov stuffs the takedown attempt from Flame. Flame gets slowly back to his feet.
Saidov throws a series of strikes that have Flame backpedaling.
Flame closes this distance looking for a takedown but Saidov circles away.
Aslambek Saidov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Waka Flame.
Saidov slaps away a takedown attempt from Flame, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A left and a right from Flame both land. Nice combination.

Flame feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Saidov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Saidov throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Horrible takedown by Flame or perhaps it was just good defense by Saidov which made him look bad.
Saidov pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Flame.
Saidov throws a wild body kick that Flame sees coming a mile off.
Saidov stuffs the takedown attempt from Flame. Flame gets slowly back to his feet.
Flame shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saidov pinned against the cage. Saidov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Saidov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Flame. That did some damage!
A slow jab from Saidov misses its intended target.

Flame bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Saidov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Saidov bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Aslambek Saidov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flame throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Flame shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Saidov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Saidov gets caught flat footed, as Flame shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Flame controlling from the top position.
Flame makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Flame prevents Saidov from getting back to his feet.
Flame stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saidov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saidov manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Flame blocks a head kick by Saidov.
Saidov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Flame tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saidov swivels and escapes.
Flame tries for a takedown but Saidov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Flame shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Saidov pinned against the cage. Saidov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Saidov scoring well with a low kick there.
Flame shoots in for a double leg but Saidov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Flame tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Flame fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Saidov avoids it really well and circles away.
Saidov slaps away a takedown attempt from Flame, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Saidov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Waka Flame seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flame moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Saidov misses with a double jab

and Flame counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Flame stops Saidov from standing up.
Flame stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saidov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Saidov manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A jab from Flame does it's job there.
Saidov moves away from the strike by Flame.
Flame slips a jab and a cross from Saidov.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Flame blocks a head kick by Saidov.
Flame works over Saidov's head and body with a nice combination.
Saidov misses with a series of wild punches.
Saidov throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Waka Flame comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Flame 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 John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Waka Flame!