PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Saddam Hussain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and El Raton Vaquero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hussain comes into the arena with Dabke Huwara blaring out of the sound system. El Raton Vaquero acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

Hussain
vs
Raton Vaquero

162 cm
30
140 lbs
20 - 4 - 0

170 cm
30
141 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Saddam Hussain!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, El Raton Vaquero!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vaquero tries to clinch up

and Hussain counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hussain.

Vaquero is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hussain is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hussain has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hussain wants to stand but Vaquero is controlling his posture from full guard.

Vaquero is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hussain is aware though and is defending well.
Hussain trying to control the position from guard on top but Vaquero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hussain stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vaquero swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vaquero working for a triangle but Hussain defends it easily.
Hussain postures up.
Hussain wants to pass the guard but Vaquero is keeping the position.

Hussain got a little sloppy there for a moment and Vaquero has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hussain has managed to get both his arms back between Vaquero's legs - danger averted.
Hussain looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Hussain trying to control but Vaquero is working from the bottom.

Saddam Hussain has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Vaquero darts in trying to clinch

and Hussain counters with a takedown into side control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vaquero wants to control but Hussain postures up.
Vaquero being controlled for a moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vaquero struggling a bit here.
Hussain controlling from side mount.
Hussain has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Vaquero tries to hold on but Hussain pushes him away.
Hussain controlling from the full mount.
Vaquero is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vaquero wants to hold on but Hussain pushes him away.
Hussain moves to take his opponent's back.
Hussain wants to control but Vaquero is keeping busy.
Hussain has good solid back control here.
Vaquero is trying to break free.
Hussain has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Vaquero's body.
Hussain is trying to stick to Vaquero's back but Vaquero is turning into Hussain. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Hussain's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Vaquero.
Vaquero's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hussain scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Hussain throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussain tries to strike from the bottom.
Hussain thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Hussain thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Hussain throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Hussain tries to strike from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vaquero postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Vaquero wants to control from the top but Hussain keeps moving.
Hussain doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Hussain throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Hussain scores with a nice shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vaquero tries to free his leg and advance position but Hussain is retaining full guard.

Vaquero thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hussain keeping moving, preventing Vaquero from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saddam Hussain dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Vaquero scores a takedown into full mount!
Hussain tries to reverse the position but Vaquero maintains control.
Vaquero looking to control but Hussain is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Vaquero takes Hussain's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Hussain is in trouble.

Vaquero tightening his grip on Hussain, looking for the choke.
Hussain manages to reverse the position and now he's in Vaquero's guard. Nice work there by Hussain.
Vaquero keeping moving, preventing Hussain from controlling successfully.

Vaquero escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hussain gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vaquero working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hussain doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hussain manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hussain is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Saddam Hussain overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hussain looking to pass the guard.
Hussain trying to control but Vaquero is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Saddam Hussain just wasn't active enough.
Vaquero is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vaquero darts in and clinches Hussain up against the ropes.

Vaquero has picked Hussain up - he's going for a ride! Vaquero dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Hussain tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Hussain missing with punches from the bottom.
Vaquero has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Vaquero looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Vaquero wants to finish this one by submission but Hussain is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Vaquero.
Hussain swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vaquero blocks Hussain's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Vaquero can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hussain is looking to escape.
Vaquero blocks Hussain's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Hussain throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Hussain swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Hussain swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Hussain flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Vaquero cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Vaquero content just to control the position here.
Hussain tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hussain throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Vaquero controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vaquero with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Hussain throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Hussain is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hussain throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Vaquero trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hussain swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vaquero has hold of Hussain's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Hussain manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Hussain tries to reverse the position but Vaquero maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

El Raton Vaquero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hussain looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hussain wants to control from the top but Vaquero keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Vaquero looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Saddam Hussain.

Vaquero drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Vaquero trying to control the position but Hussain is working away.
Hussain sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussain is trying to get back to full guard.

Vaquero is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hussain doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Vaquero.
Vaquero wants to take a breather but Hussain is having none of it.
Hussain makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hussain.
Hussain trying to strike off his back.
Vaquero works over Hussain with some ground and pound from guard.

Vaquero is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hussain throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussain is striking from the bottom but Vaquero uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Vaquero is nestled in close to Hussain, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Vaquero seems to be looking for submissions.
Hussain misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Vaquero wants to pass to mount but Hussain is defending the position.
Hussain throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Hussain throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Hussain throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Hussain throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Vaquero manages to pass to side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Vaquero is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hussain is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Vaquero tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Vaquero has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussain throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Hussain is trying to improve his position.
Hussain sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Vaquero is trying to work for a kimura but Hussain is defending well.
Hussain is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
Hussain flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Hussain is looking to get to half guard.
Hussain is squirming around, avoiding Vaquero's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussain is trying to escape the mount.
Hussain swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Vaquero trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hussain flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Hussain tries to reverse the position but Vaquero maintains control.
Vaquero trying to control but Hussain is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vaquero is trying to take his opponent's back.
Hussain is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Saddam Hussain did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Vaquero wants to clinch

and Hussain counters with a shoot takedown. Vaquero fights it but they end up in guard.
Hussain trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vaquero is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Vaquero is controlling Hussain's posture.
Hussain trying to control the position from guard on top but Vaquero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hussain circles away from the clinch attempt

and Hussain counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vaquero is trying to get back to full guard.
Well, if Hussain is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussain wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vaquero keeps working.
Vaquero tries to get to full guard but Hussain has control of the leg.
Vaquero won't allow Hussain to pass to mount.
Vaquero is looking to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Saddam Hussain.

Hussain drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hussain controlling the position from side mount.
Hussain wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vaquero keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussain is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Vaquero is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

We're going to have a standup here because Saddam Hussain wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Vaquero doesn't manage to clinch there - Hussain circles away.
Hussain keeps the fight on the outside.

Hussain looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vaquero trying to control the position.
Hussain wants to control from the top but Vaquero keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vaquero escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hussain gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hussain postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Hussain scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Hussain stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Vaquero scores a takedown into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussain keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Vaquero looking to control but Hussain is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hussain can't escape the position.
Vaquero trying to control but Hussain is having none of it.
Hussain throwing hammer fists to the chest of Vaquero. What's that going to do exactly?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vaquero looking to control but Hussain is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Vaquero with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saddam Hussain had his way with El Raton Vaquero in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Vaquero closes the distance looking to clinch

and Hussain counters with a takedown into side control.
Hussain trying to control the position but Vaquero is working away.
Vaquero controls the position for a moment.
Vaquero is trying to control Hussain's posture but Hussain avoids it.
Vaquero is letting Hussain control him for a moment.
Hussain trying to control the action but Vaquero is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Hussain working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussain trying to control the position but Vaquero is working away.

Saddam Hussain has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Vaquero tries to clinch but Hussain moves out of range.
Vaquero tries to clinch but Hussain is having none of it.

Hussain feints and as Vaquero raises his hands in defense, Hussain changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Vaquero working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hussain doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hussain manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hussain pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vaquero is keeping the position for now.
Vaquero can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hussain controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vaquero trying to keep a closed guard but Hussain is proving a slippery customer.

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

Vaquero is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hussain is aware though and is defending well.
Vaquero is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Vaquero has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hussain can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Vaquero looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hussain pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vaquero is keeping the position for now.
Hussain sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Vaquero keeping moving, preventing Hussain from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Saddam Hussain.

Vaquero closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hussain did well to prevent Vaquero getting side control.
Hussain lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Hussain punching from the bottom.

Vaquero is looking for a kimura here.
Vaquero trying to mount his opponent but Hussain defends it.
Hussain flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussain missing with punches from the bottom.
Hussain punching from the bottom.
Hussain is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hussain throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Vaquero is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hussain throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Hussain is looking for a sweep. Vaquero is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hussain landing a few short strikes.
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!
Vaquero is trying to control the action in half guard but Hussain is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hussain tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Hussain missing with punches from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saddam Hussain showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hussain 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight for Saddam Hussain!
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight for Saddam Hussain!
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight for Saddam Hussain!

Saddam Hussain wins by unanimous decision!
Saddam Hussain retains his featherweight title!