PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tony Dredd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Sagajew (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sagajew is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by cool music. Ruslan Sagajew will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Dredd
vs
Sagajew

190 cm
21
250 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

178 cm
23
218 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tony Dredd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ruslan Sagajew!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sagajew throws a series of punches but Dredd avoids them all with ease.
Sagajew closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sagajew throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dredd's waist but Dredd gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sagajew off to one side.

Sagajew tries to sprawl but Dredd drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Dredd lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dredd not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sagajew tries to get to full guard but Dredd has control of the leg.
Dredd trying to pass the guard but Sagajew defending well.
Dredd seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sagajew does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dredd is thwarting Sagajew's attempts to control the position.
Sagajew is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dredd working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sagajew is looking for a sweep. Dredd is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sagajew controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Dredd prevents Sagajew from improving his position.

Dredd is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sagajew defends it well.
Dredd lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Dredd working Sagajew over with strikes.

Dredd seems to be looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dredd working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sagajew is positioning himself well to prevent Dredd advancing to mount.

Dredd seems to be working for a kimura but Sagajew defends the submission attempt.

Dredd is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sagajew is looking to control Dredd's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sagajew avoid being mounted?
Dredd thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sagajew's head.
Dredd is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Dredd working over Sagajew with some ground and pound. Sagajew looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Dredd will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sagajew trying to control but Dredd postures up.
Dredd tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Sagajew.
Sagajew trying to control but Dredd postures up.

Dredd is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sagajew doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Dredd.
Dredd is pressing down on Sagajew's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sagajew is holding on for now.

Sagajew actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sagajew wants to control but Dredd is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Dredd throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Dredd wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sagajew keeps working.
Dredd is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sagajew wants to get back to full guard.
Sagajew landing a few short strikes.
Sagajew blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dredd.
Sagajew keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dredd scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dredd lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sagajew tries to get to full guard but Dredd has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Dredd dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sagajew shoots in but no luck this time.
Dredd shoots in for a takedown but Sagajew shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dredd misses with a series of wild punches.
Sagajew tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dredd sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sagajew somewhat.
Dredd shoots in and drives through. Sagajew sprawls well.
Sagajew fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tony Dredd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruslan Sagajew.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dredd is defended easily by Sagajew.
A left and a right from Sagajew both land. Nice combination.
Sagajew connects with a looping right hand.
Sagajew changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dredd tries to avoid it but Sagajew manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dredd to the ground. Dredd escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sagajew lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Dredd shoots in and drives through. Sagajew sprawls well.
Dredd with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Sagajew to counter with a crisp jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sagajew.
Sagajew fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Dredd avoids it really well and circles away.

Sagajew gets a clinch.

Sagajew pulls Dredd into guard.

Dredd thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Sagajew has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dredd can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sagajew is breathing heavily.
Dredd has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sagajew is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tony Dredd overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dredd wants to control from the top but Sagajew keeps moving.
Dredd cracks Sagajew with a solid left hand.
Dredd prevents Sagajew from getting back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dredd postures up in Sagajew's guard and throws a big left but Sagajew blocks it.
Dredd tries to stand but Sagajew is controlling from the bottom.
Sagajew preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sagajew striking off his back, scoring a few points.

Dredd gets to his feet. Sagajew looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Sagajew shoots in for a takedown but Dredd shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dredd throws a series of punches but Sagajew moves out of range.

Sagajew moves into range and clinches up with Dredd.
Sagajew is looking to take this one to the mat.
A short right from Dredd on the inside.
Sagajew is pressed up against the cage. Dredd has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sagajew down to the mat. Sagajew avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Dredd moves in looking to clinch but Sagajew pushes him off.
Dredd shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Sagajew shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sagajew trying to control but Dredd is working from the bottom.
Sagajew distracts Dredd with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sagajew trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sagajew postures up in Dredd's guard and throws a big left but Dredd blocks it.
Dredd wants to stand but Sagajew is controlling the position.
Sagajew working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Dredd looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sagajew wants to control from the top but Dredd keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ruslan Sagajew will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sagajew fails with the takedown.
Dredd shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sagajew as he jumps to the side.
Dredd avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sagajew will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Dredd closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Dredd lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sagajew is trying to control but can't.
Dredd is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Sagajew is defending against the submission attempts here by Dredd.
Sagajew is trying to stand.
Sagajew takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sagajew tries to roll over but Dredd keeps him under control.
Dredd wants to take a breather but Sagajew is having none of it.
Sagajew avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dredd.
Dredd is pressing down on Sagajew's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sagajew is holding on for now.
Dredd throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Dredd working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Sagajew's thigh. Sagajew counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Sagajew wants to stand but Dredd is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sagajew trying to control the position.
Dredd tries to free his leg and advance position but Sagajew is retaining full guard.
Dredd wants to control from the top but Sagajew keeps moving.
Sagajew wants to stand up but Dredd is controlling him.
Dredd with a nice head shot there.
Dredd knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sagajew on the ground.
Dredd working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sagajew striking off his back but it's not causing Dredd any problems.
Dredd wants to control from the top but Sagajew keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dredd trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sagajew working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dredd.
Dredd wanted to stand there but Sagajew had control of the position.
Dredd working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sagajew's head.
Dredd stops Sagajew from standing up.
Dredd is working Sagajew over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Dredd showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Dredd trying to control but Sagajew is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dredd content to stall in guard here.

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

Dredd drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Dredd got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sagajew has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dredd has managed to get both his arms back between Sagajew's legs - danger averted.
Dredd is looking to work some ground and pound but Sagajew has wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dredd throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sagajew works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sagajew throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Sagajew not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Dredd showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dredd 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Dredd!
Tony Dredd was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.