PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Helios Garcius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ismail Saidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saidov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Shamhan Daldaev - Eto Kavkaz kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Ismail Saidov struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Garcius
vs
Saidov

183 cm
29
190 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

188 cm
33
202 lbs
13 - 7 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Helios Garcius!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Ismail Saidov!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garcius tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saidov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Garcius tries to close the distance and clinch but Saidov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Saidov pushes Garcius up against the ropes in a clinch.
Garcius drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Saidov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Saidov controlling the action here for a moment.
Saidov receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Saidov scores with a nice hook to the head.
The referee calls for Saidov to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Garcius.
Saidov holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius throws a series of punches but Saidov moves out of range.
Garcius swats away the attempt to clinch by Saidov.
Helios Garcius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saidov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Garcius wants to clinch up but Saidov keeps it at a distance.
Saidov tries to clinch there but Garcius circles away.
Garcius tries to clinch
and Saidov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Saidov pushes Garcius up against the ropes in a clinch.
Saidov taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcius jumps guard but Saidov turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Saidov told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Garcius wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Saidov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.

Saidov gets caught napping as Garcius dives in and scores a takedown. Saidov manages to retain guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Saidov is looking to stand up but Garcius isn't so interested in that idea.
Garcius tries to free his leg and advance position but Saidov is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcius scoring with punches to the head and body.
Saidov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Saidov pushes Garcius off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Saidov moves into range and clinches up with Garcius.
Garcius has had enough of the clinch but Saidov keeps him there for the moment.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Saidov.
Saidov tries to stall but Garcius uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The referee calls for Saidov to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcius tries to pull guard but Saidov forces him back to his feet, against the ropes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helios Garcius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saidov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saidov is looking to clinch but Garcius is avoiding it.
Saidov wants to clinch.
Saidov is looking to clinch but Garcius is avoiding it.
Garcius tries to clinch there but Saidov circles away.
Saidov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Saidov is looking to clinch but Garcius is avoiding it.
Garcius wants to clinch but Saidov slips to the side
and Saidov counters with an inside leg kick.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Garcius fails in his attempt to clinch.
Saidov wants to clinch up but Garcius keeps it at a distance.
Garcius doesn't manage to clinch there - Saidov circles away.
Saidov tries to clinch up but Garcius circles away and keeps his distance.

Saidov closes the distance and pushes Garcius back into the ropes.
Saidov pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Garcius takes an elbow to the forehead.
Saidov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Garcius's defenses.
Saidov stalls.
Saidov tries to stall but Garcius uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Saidov slows down the pace here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Saidov is looking to clinch.
Garcius tries to clinch there but Saidov circles away.
Saidov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Garcius looks to clinch
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Saidov counters with a straight right hand.
Saidov is looking to clinch but Garcius is avoiding it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saidov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Garcius doesn't manage to clinch there - Saidov circles away.
Garcius fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Garcius looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Garcius darts in looking for a takedown but Saidov gets double underhooks and turns Garcius into the ropes.
Garcius letting Saidov take a breather here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Garcius has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Saidov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Garcius jumps guard but Saidov turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Saidov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius misses with a head kick.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Saidov moves in looking to clinch but Garcius pushes him off.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Saidov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Saidov stalling in the clinch but Garcius improves position.
Stalling in the clinch from Saidov.
Saidov trying to stall but Garcius improves his position.
Garcius throws a head punch that misses.
Garcius jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Saidov walks away with a smile on his face. Garcius gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Saidov tries to clinch up.

Garcius clinches up against the ropes.
Saidov avoiding damage.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius tries to clinch there but Saidov circles away.
Garcius wants to clinch.
Garcius misses with the combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saidov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ismail Saidov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Garcius is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Garcius shoots in and drives through. Saidov sprawls well.
Some wild striking there from Garcius.

Saidov clinches up with Garcius and pushes him back against the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismail Saidov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Garcius swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Saidov moves into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Saidov.
Saidov slows down the pace here.
Garcius jumps guard but Saidov turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Saidov slows down the pace here.
Garcius jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Saidov walks away with a smile on his face. Garcius gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Garcius throws a leg kick
and Saidov counters with a nice uppercut.
Garcius tries to clinch up but Saidov circles away and keeps his distance.
Helios Garcius is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saidov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Garcius misses with a takedown attempt - Saidov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helios Garcius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Garcius scores with a one two! Saidov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Saidov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Saidov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Garcius is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Garcius swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nice straight punches there by Garcius. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Garcius.
Saidov doesn't manage to clinch there - Garcius circles away.
Saidov tries to clinch but Garcius is having none of it.
Garcius swats away the attempt to clinch by Saidov.

Saidov clinches.
Saidov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Saidov gets underhooks to prevent Garcius's takedown attempt.
Ismail Saidov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saidov effectively controlling the action here.
The crowd are getting on Saidov's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Garcius fails to pull guard.
Come on Saidov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
The fight stays on the outside here - Garcius looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Garcius swats away the attempt to clinch by Saidov.
Saidov wants to clinch up but Garcius keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saidov tries to clinch up.
Garcius throws a head kick but Saidov moves out of range.

Garcius shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Garcius was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Garcius working the ground and pound but Saidov is defending the strikes.
Garcius prevents Saidov from escaping the position.
Garcius controls the position from side control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Saidov throws Garcius to one side and escapes!
Garcius rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saidov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Garcius takes the fight into the clinch.
Garcius being controlled against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saidov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Garciuss head.
Saidov effectively controlling the action here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short right from Saidov on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Saidov.
Garcius wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Come on Saidov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Garcius has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Saidov has Garcius pressed against the ropes.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Saidov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saidov tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Garcius manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Saidov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Garcius moves in looking to clinch but Saidov pushes him off.
Saidov tries to close the distance and clinch but Garcius swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Garcius tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Saidov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ismail Saidov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saidov keeps the fight on the outside.

Saidov moves into the clinch successfully.
Saidov content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Garcius is trying to break free.
Saidov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Garcius has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Garcius is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Saidov to keep the fight standing.
Saidov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Garcius is trying to break the clinch but Saidov has him pressed against the ropes.
Saidov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Garcius up against the ropes.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Saidov.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Saidov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Garcius tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Saidov just stands there and leans against the ropes.

Garcius ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Garcius no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Saidov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Garcius is looking to stand up but Saidov isn't so interested in that idea.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saidov passes Garcius's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Saidov stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Garcius to get to his feet.
Garcius throws a right and a left that Saidov avoids nicely.
Garcius circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Saidov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Saidov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Saidov has managed to clinch.
Saidov taking a breather.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saidov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Saidov in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Saidov just leaning against Garcius, taking a breather.
Saidov looking to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius fails in his attempt to clinch.
Saidov tries to clinch there but Garcius circles away.
Garcius tries to clinch but Saidov moves out of range.
Garcius darts in trying to clinch
and Saidov counters with a nice uppercut.
Saidov tries to clinch up but Garcius circles away and keeps his distance.

Saidov closes the distance and clinches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee calls for Saidov to work.
Garcius is looking to break free of the clinch but Saidov has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismail Saidov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

A head kick misses from Garcius.
Garcius wants to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saidov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Garcius misses with a series of wild punches.
Saidov tries to clinch but Garcius is having none of it.
Garcius throws a combination that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Garcius throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saidov tries to clinch up but Garcius circles away and keeps his distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Saidov clinches.
Saidov stalling the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Saidov tries to clinch up.
Garcius swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Saidov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Saidov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Garcius swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Garcius doesn't manage to clinch there - Saidov circles away.
Garcius swats away the attempt to clinch by Saidov.
Garcius swats away the attempt to clinch by Saidov.
Saidov tries to clinch up but Garcius circles away and keeps his distance.
Saidov is looking to clinch but Garcius is avoiding it.
Garcius tries to clinch but Saidov moves out of range.
Saidov fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcius tries to clinch but Saidov moves out of range.
A combination from Garcius does no damage.
Garcius misses with the combination.
Garcius throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Saidov wants to clinch.

Saidov rushes Garcius and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Saidov stalling against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcius is looking for a takedown.
Saidov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius circles away from the clinch attempt.
A bone on bone clash there as Saidov blocks the leg kick.
Saidov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Garcius tries to clinch up but Saidov circles away and keeps his distance.
Garcius tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Saidov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Garcius tries to clinch up but Saidov circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcius throws a series of punches but Saidov moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Garcius is defended easily by Saidov.
Saidov tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Garcius manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Saidov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saidov tries to clinch up but Garcius circles away and keeps his distance.
Saidov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Garcius misses with a two punch combination.
Saidov moves in looking to clinch but Garcius pushes him off.
Garcius doesn't manage to clinch there - Saidov circles away.
Garcius circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saidov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Garcius lands with a nice combination. Saidov backs away looking to recover.
Garcius shoots in but Saidov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helios Garcius. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Garcius circles away from the clinch attempt.

Saidov takes the fight into the clinch.
Saidov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Saidov taking a breather.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Saidov tries to clinch up.

Saidov takes the fight into the clinch.
Saidov lands an elbow inside that Garcius shrugs off.
Saidov is pushing Garcius up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Saidov is trying to stall.
Saidov slowing the pace effectively.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Garcius is trying to pull guard but Saidov has him pressed against the ropes.
Garcius tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Saidov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Saidov lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Helios Garcius has been cut.
Saidov leaning against his opponent.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
An inside leg kick from Garcius misses.
Garcius fails in his attempt to clinch.

Garcius clinches with his opponent.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Saidov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Come on Saidov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Garcius is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Saidov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Saidov stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius misses with the combination.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Saidov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Garcius swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saidov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Garcius avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saidov walks into a stiff left hand from Garcius.
Garcius scores with a nice head shot.
Garcius tries to score a power double leg takedown but Saidov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Garcius somewhat.
Garcius keeps the fight on the outside.
Saidov tries to clinch up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Saidov closes the distance and clinches.
Saidov avoiding damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismail Saidov really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Helios Garcius's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Saidov tries to clinch up but Garcius circles away and keeps his distance.

Garcius has managed to clinch.
Saidov pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Saidov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Garcius misses with a hook from the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Garcius fails to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcius is trying to break the clinch but Saidov has him pressed against the ropes.
Saidov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.

Saidov closes the distance and clinches.
Saidov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Garcius drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Saidov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcius has Saidov pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Saidov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helios Garcius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saidov tries to stall but Garcius uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Garcius letting Saidov take a breather here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.

Saidov has managed to clinch.
Saidov slows down the pace here.
Saidov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saidov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Garcius's face.
Saidov leaning against his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcius is trying to break free.
Garcius tries to pull guard but Saidov won't allow it.
Garcius tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Saidov slows down the pace here.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Saidov lands a left hand.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Saidov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saidov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Garcius is keeping busy.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius tries for a takedown but Saidov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Saidov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saidov tries to clinch but Garcius is having none of it.

Saidov closes the distance and clinches.
Saidov stalling the fight.
Garcius is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Saidov stalling the fight.
Garcius can't break the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Saidov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
A big right from Garcius misses.
Garcius tries to clinch but Saidov is having none of it.
Saidov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Garcius is looking to clinch.
Garcius lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Garcius tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Saidov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Garcius shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Saidov as he jumps to the side.

Saidov drives through and clinches with Garcius against the ropes.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Garcius has Saidov pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Saidov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Saidov to work.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius misses with a jab, cross combination.
Saidov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Garcius tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Saidov enables Garcius to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Saidov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Saidov wants to stand up but Garcius is controlling him.

Saidov pushes Garcius off and gets back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Garcius.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Garcius keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd cheers as Garcius lands an impressive looking overhand right. Saidov doesn't seem phased though.
Garcius looks to land a combination but Saidov avoids it well.
Garcius moves in looking to clinch but Saidov pushes him off.
Garcius moves in looking to clinch but Saidov pushes him off.
Saidov tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Garcius manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Garcius shoots in looking for a takedown. Saidov tries to sprawl out of it but Garcius keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Saidov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Saidov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Garcius paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Saidov tries to clinch but Garcius is having none of it.
Garcius misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
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!
Saidov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Garcius paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Garcius tries to clinch up.

Saidov closes the distance and clinches.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Saidov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Saidov effectively controlling the action here.
Garcius has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Saidov after a bit of a struggle.
Saidov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Saidov has Garcius pushed against the ropes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismail Saidov dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Helios Garcius's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Garcius throws a nice looking combination but Saidov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Garcius is looking to clinch but Saidov is avoiding it.
Garcius misses with a double jab
letting Saidov counter with a right hand.
Saidov swats away the attempt to clinch by Garcius.
Garcius with a hook.
Garcius catches Saidov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Saidov keeps the fight on the outside.

Saidov closes the distance and pushes Garcius back into the ropes.
Saidov pushes Garcius back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saidov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saidov taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Garcius has managed to clinch.
Saidov is struggling to control the position.
Garcius is trying to pull guard but Saidov has him pressed against the ropes.
The referee is keeping an eye on Saidov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Saidov misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saidov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Saidov is looking to clinch but Garcius is avoiding it.
Saidov slips a jab and a cross from Garcius.
Saidov tries to close the distance and clinch but Garcius swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Garcius goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Saidov takes one to the chin there.
Saidov is looking to clinch.
Saidov is looking to clinch.
Garcius closes the distance and clinches up with Saidov, looking for a takedown. Garcius pushes Saidov against the ropes but Saidov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Garcius tries to clinch up but Saidov circles away and keeps his distance.

Saidov forces Garcius back against the ropes and clinches.
Garcius tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Saidov just stands there and leans against the ropes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helios Garcius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Saidov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcius wants to break free but Saidov has control.
Saidov is stalling here.
Garcius fails to pull guard.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius closes the distance but Saidov moves to the side
and Saidov counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saidov moves into the clinch.
Saidov is stalling here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Saidov controlling the action here for a moment.
Saidov looking to slow down the pace here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Saidov counter with a right hand.
Garcius tries for a takedown but Saidov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Garcius fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Garcius dives in and grabs Saidov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Saidov pushes down on Garcius's head and hops out.

Saidov clinches up with Garcius and pushes him back against the ropes.
Saidov has Garcius pressed against the ropes.
Garcius has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Saidov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Saidov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Saidov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Garcius.
Stalling in the clinch from Saidov.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.

Garcius looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Saidov pushes Garcius off looking to stand but Garcius dives back in and keeps control.

Saidov pushes Garcius off and gets back to his feet.
Saidov tries to close the distance and clinch but Garcius swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
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!
Garcius tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Saidov counter with a right hand.
Ismail Saidov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Saidov forces Garcius back against the ropes and clinches.
Garcius is trying to break the clinch but Saidov has him pressed against the ropes.
Saidov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Saidov effectively controlling the action here.
Garcius swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Saidov is pushing Garcius up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Garcius is working for takedown but Saidov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Saidov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Garcius up against the ropes.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Garcius has had enough of the clinch but Saidov keeps him there for the moment.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saidov.
Saidov stalling against the ropes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ismail Saidov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Saidov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Ismail Saidov!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Ismail Saidov!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Ismail Saidov!

Ismail Saidov wins by unanimous decision! Ismail Saidov retains his middleweight title!
Ismail Saidov thanked the fans post fight for their support.