PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Giorgio Abbiati (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elias Al Haddad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Abbiati comes to the cage accompanied by Don't Speak - Eagles of Death Metal. Elias Al Haddad will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Abbiati
vs
Al Haddad

175 cm
24
155 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

174 cm
20
163 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

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 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Giorgio Abbiati!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Elias Al Haddad!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Haddad throws a right hand that Abbiati ducks under and follows up with a left that Abbiati also avoids with ease.
Al Haddad lands a nice shot that snaps Abbiati's head back.
Al Haddad tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Abbiati manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Al Haddad lands the left hand.
Some wild striking there from Abbiati.
Al Haddad scores with a jab. Abbiati acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Abbiati has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Abbiati takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Abbiati throws a series of punches but Al Haddad moves out of range.
Al Haddad avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Al Haddad tries to clinch up but Abbiati circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Haddad's coach down at Midnight MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Al Haddad's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Abbiati tries to bum rush Al Haddad with a series of wild strikes but Al Haddad uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Al Haddad keeps the fight on the outside.
Al Haddad scores with a nice head shot.
Al Haddad tries to clinch up.
Al Haddad avoids the body shot from Abbiati.
Abbiati is looking to clinch but Al Haddad is avoiding it.
Al Haddad connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Al Haddad throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Haddad circles away from the clinch attempt.
Al Haddad getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Al Haddad clinches up with Abbiati and pushes him back against the cage.
Abbiati struggles to land a body shot inside as Al Haddad controls his hands.
Al Haddad is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Al Haddad lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Al Haddad on the inside.

Al Haddad escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Al Haddad misses with a body kick.
Al Haddad scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Abbiati takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Al Haddad looks to land a combination. Abbiati sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Abbiati takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Abbiati avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abbiati misses with a few strikes there.
Abbiati tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al Haddad paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Abbiati lands a right hook to the body.
Al Haddad throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Abbiati.
Abbiati tries to clinch but Al Haddad is having none of it.
Al Haddad lands a jab.

Abbiati instigates a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Abbiati's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Abbiati missing with knees to the body.
Al Haddad manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Al Haddad blocks a body shot from Abbiati.
Al Haddad throws a punch but it's blocked by Abbiati.
Abbiati misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Abbiati blocks a body shot from Al Haddad.
Abbiati throws a punch but it's blocked by Al Haddad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad just leaning against Abbiati, taking a breather.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Al Haddad lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Al Haddad lands with a left to the head.
A hook to the body from Al Haddad.
Abbiati tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Al Haddad tries to stall but Abbiati uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Al Haddad softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Al Haddad manages to break the clinch.
Abbiati misses with a jab, cross combination.
Al Haddad throws a nice looking combination but Abbiati bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Abbiati avoids a punch combination nicely.
Al Haddad throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Abbiati stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Abbiati fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad throws a head kick that misses.
Abbiati tries to close the distance and clinch but Al Haddad swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Al Haddad lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Al Haddad avoids a punch combination nicely.
Abbiati is looking to clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al Haddad with a hook.
Abbiati takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
No joy there for Abbiati, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Abbiati throws a series of punches but Al Haddad moves out of range.
Al Haddad avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Abbiati moves out of range as Al Haddad throws a body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abbiati dodges the punch combination from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad scores with a jab.
Abbiati throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Al Haddad counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Al Haddad dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Abbiati clinches.
A body shot lands from Abbiati.
Abbiati 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.
Abbiati struggles to land a body shot inside as Al Haddad controls his hands.
Al Haddad working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Al Haddad as Abbiati tries to tie him up.
Al Haddad is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Al Haddad is trying to break the clinch but Abbiati is controlling him.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Al Haddad fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Abbiati is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Al Haddad is defending well for now.
A frustrated look appears on Al Haddad's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Al Haddad scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Knees in the clinch landing for Abbiati.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abbiati putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Al Haddad in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Al Haddad lands a hook to the side of the head.
Abbiati prevents a body shot from Al Haddad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Haddad doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Al Haddad blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Al Haddad is looking to control Abbiati's arms but Abbiati gets an underhook and turns him. Now Al Haddad has his back to the cage.
Al Haddad avoiding damage as Abbiati throws knees to the body.
Al Haddad misses with a punch on the inside.
Al Haddad prevents a body shot from Abbiati.
Al Haddad makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Abbiati can't find room to land a body shot as Al Haddad controls the action.
Al Haddad works on Abbiati's body with a couple of short punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Al Haddad.
Elias Al Haddad seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Abbiati avoids the elbow strike from Al Haddad, against the cage.
Abbiati tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Al Haddad lands a nice uppercut.
Abbiati can't find room to land a body shot as Al Haddad controls the action.
Abbiati trying to land knees to the body.
Al Haddad trying to stall but Abbiati improves his position.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad is trying to break the clinch but Abbiati has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Al Haddad fails to land.
Abbiati doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Al Haddad controlling the action here for a moment.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A bit of stalling here from Al Haddad.
A hook to the body from Abbiati.
Al Haddad goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
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!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Abbiati.
Abbiati blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Abbiati struggles to land a body shot inside as Al Haddad controls his hands.
Abbiati misses with a hook to the ribs.
Al Haddad blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Al Haddad is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abbiati using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Al Haddad has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Abbiati goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Abbiati missing with knees to the body.
Al Haddad has Abbiati pressed against the cage.
Al Haddad blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Abbiati tries to work over Al Haddad's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Abbiati misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Al Haddad content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Al Haddad is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Abbiati is keeping busy.
Al Haddad dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Abbiati misses with a hook to the ribs.
Al Haddad lands a right hand.
Abbiati stalling in the clinch but Al Haddad improves position.
Al Haddad swings wildly with an uppercut but Abbiati uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Al Haddad misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abbiati.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch.
Al Haddad wants to clinch up but Abbiati keeps it at a distance.
Abbiati takes one on the button.
Abbiati tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Al Haddad manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A left and a right from Abbiati both land. Nice combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Abbiati is looking to clinch.
Al Haddad cracks Abbiati with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Giorgio Abbiati is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abbiati tries to clinch there but Al Haddad circles away.
A combination from Al Haddad does no damage.
Al Haddad misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice cross by Al Haddad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Giorgio Abbiati will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Abbiati is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Abbiati tries to clinch but Al Haddad moves out of range.
Al Haddad tries to clinch but Abbiati moves out of range.

Abbiati clinches.
A right hook to the body lands for Al Haddad.
Abbiati's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Abbiati misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Al Haddad digs a right hand into Abbiati's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Abbiati's gas tank.
Al Haddad doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Abbiati looking to slow down the pace here.
Abbiati tries to land knees in the clinch but Al Haddad avoids the damage to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Al Haddad lands a hook that snaps the head of Abbiati backwards.
Al Haddad is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Abbiati is keeping busy.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abbiati tries to clinch but Al Haddad is having none of it.
Al Haddad tests Abbiati's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Al Haddad scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Al Haddad avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Al Haddad circles away from the clinch attempt.
Abbiati throws a leg kick but Al Haddad sees it coming and moves out of range.
Abbiati tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Al Haddad manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Abbiati walks into a jab.
Abbiati wants to clinch up but Al Haddad keeps it at a distance.
Abbiati fails with an attempt to clinch.
Al Haddad keeps the fight on the outside.
Abbiati tries to clinch there but Al Haddad circles away.
Al Haddad lands with a right hand.
Abbiati tries to clinch but Al Haddad moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Al Haddad gets a clinch.
Al Haddad tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Abbiati is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Abbiati throws a series of punches but Al Haddad moves out of range.
Al Haddad clobbers Abbiati with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Giorgio Abbiati seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abbiati tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Al Haddad manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Al Haddad jabs at Abbiati's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Al Haddad throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Abbiati on the side of the head.
An inside leg kick from Al Haddad misses.
Abbiati is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Al Haddad lands with a good body shot.
Abbiati fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad is looking to clinch.
Abbiati tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Al Haddad manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Al Haddad swats away the attempt to clinch by Abbiati.
Al Haddad with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Abbiati avoids a kick to the body.
Al Haddad digs a good body shot into Abbiati's ribs.
Al Haddad lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Abbiati walks into a jab.
A cross from Al Haddad lands.
Abbiati is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Al Haddad.
Abbiati tries to close the distance and clinch but Al Haddad swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Al Haddad lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Al Haddad swats away the attempt to clinch by Abbiati.
Al Haddad pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abbiati takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Al Haddad looks to throw the jab but Abbiati is out of range.
Elias Al Haddad seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Al Haddad bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Abbiati's head.
Abbiati tries to clinch but Al Haddad is having none of it.
Some bone on bone action there as Abbiati checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Abbiati misses with a double jab.
Al Haddad rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Abbiati moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Al Haddad swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Al Haddad keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice shot by Al Haddad.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abbiati is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Abbiati takes one to the chin there.
Al Haddad misses with a wild combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elias Al Haddad comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Al Haddad has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elias Al Haddad!
Elias Al Haddad made sure to mention his sponsor, Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry in his post fight interview.