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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Erik Saba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Amir Sultanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sultanov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by No Vaseline. Amir Sultanov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.
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| 170 cm
20
162 lbs
1 - 0 - 0 |
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184 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined |
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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
1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Erik Saba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Amir Sultanov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Vladimir Khabensky.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saba clinches.
Saba looking for a takedown.
Sultanov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Saba has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Sultanov is trying to keep an underhook but Saba manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Saba looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Saba wants to take a breather but Sultanov is having none of it.
Saba lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Saba stops Sultanov from getting back to his feet.
Saba has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Saba trying to advance position but Sultanov counters by regaining guard.
Sultanov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Saba's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Saba is on top in guard.
Sultanov striking off his back but it's not causing Saba any problems.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sultanov controls Saba momentarily but Saba frees himself.
Sultanov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sultanov wants to sweep but no luck.
Sultanov is trying to keep Saba in close.
Saba pushes down on Sultanov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Saba throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sultanov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Saba counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Saba won't allow Sultanov to sweep him here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Saba's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sultanov keeping moving, preventing Saba from controlling successfully.
Sultanov working for a triangle but Saba defends it easily.
Sultanov looks gassed!
Saba wants to control from the top but Sultanov keeps moving.
Sultanov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saba. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Saba pushing down on Sultanov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Saba tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Sultanov.
Saba trying to control from half guard but Sultanov is working away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sultanov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sultanov tries to roll over but Saba keeps him under control.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saba gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sultanov looking to slow down the pace here.
A right hand to the body from Saba.
Sultanov misses with a knee to the head.
Saba drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sultanov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sultanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saba shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sultanov pinned against the cage. Sultanov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Saba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saba looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Saba throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sultanov tries to clinch there but Saba circles away.
Saba closes the distance and clinches up with Sultanov, looking for a takedown. Saba pushes Sultanov against the cage but Sultanov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Saba shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sultanov but Sultanov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saba tries to move into range but Sultanov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Saba bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Saba wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sultanov, who protects the arm well.
Saba stands up.
Saba looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Saba is taking a breather. Sultanov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Saba thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sultanov wants to get back to full guard.
Saba throwing shots but Sultanov is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Erik Saba dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Sultanov blocks a head kick by Saba.
Sultanov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saba moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sultanov works Saba's body with a nice hook.
Saba throws a series of strikes that have Sultanov backpedaling.
Sultanov misses with a looping left.
Saba shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sultanov as he avoids it easily.
Nice body kick there by Sultanov.
Sultanov is looking to clinch.
Sultanov digs a good hook to Saba's body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sultanov.
Sultanov throws an off balance right hand
and Saba decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sultanov's guard.
Saba stands up from Sultanov's guard - Saba perhaps looking for a knockout.
Nice takedown defense from Sultanov. No joy for Saba on that attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sultanov clinches but Saba breaks the clinch
and Saba counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Sultanov!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saba get's back to his feet.
Sultanov throws a hook to the side of Saba's head but Saba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Saba fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Saba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Saba.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Saba working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Saba tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sultanov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Saba breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A jab from Sultanov does it's job there.
Saba has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saba stalling against the cage.
Saba blocks the elbow strike.
Saba looking to slow down the pace here.
Sultanov goes for a takedown attempt but Saba pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Saba throws a nice head kick!
Saba avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Saba shoots in and drives through. Sultanov sprawls well.
Saba scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sultanov can do anything to dispel that myth.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sultanov is trying to get back to half guard.
Saba in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Sultanov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Saba off and has taken his back!
Sultanov missing with strikes from the back.
Saba is in bad spot here.
Saba covering up well and avoiding damage.
Sultanov has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Saba covering up well under a barage of strikes.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sultanov tries to get the hooks in deep but Saba pushed the leg off.
Saba looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Sultanov throwing sloppy strikes.
Erik Saba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sultanov biding his time, looking for the opening.
Saba is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Saba showing good submission defense here.
Sultanov struggling to land strikes to the head as Saba covers up.
Sultanov keeps control of the position as Saba tries to break free.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sultanov trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Sultanov misses with punches from the back.
Saba defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Sultanov's arms.
Saba rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
It looks like Sultanov is going to stand back up.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Saba throws a nice head kick!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saba has Sultanov up against the cage in a clinch.
Saba has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sultanov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Saba controlling the action here for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Erik Saba dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Saba gets a clinch.
Saba fails to pull guard.
Saba wants to get back to striking at distance but Sultanov won't allow it.
Saba looking to stall.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Saba here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Sultanov wants to stall.
Sultanov lands an elbow inside.
Sultanov lands an elbow inside.
Saba pulls Sultanov into guard.
Sultanov wants to control from the top but Saba keeps moving.
Sultanov wants to pass the guard but Saba is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saba trying to keep a closed guard but Sultanov is proving a slippery customer.
Sultanov preventing the sweep.
Sultanov throwing strikes from guard but Saba blocks nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sultanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sultanov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Saba manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Sultanov being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saba throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Saba wants to clinch up but Sultanov keeps it at a distance.
Horrible takedown by Saba or perhaps it was just good defense by Sultanov which made him look bad.
Amir Sultanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saba tries to clinch but Sultanov moves out of range.
Erik Saba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sultanov with a nice cross.
Saba throws a head kick but Sultanov moves out of range.
Sultanov clinches up with Saba and pushes him back against the cage.
Sultanov trying to stall but Saba improves his position.
Sultanov breaks from the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sultanov keeps the fight on the outside.
Saba tries to clinch but Sultanov moves out of range.
Saba circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sultanov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Sultanov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Saba in his tracks.
Sultanov clinches up against the cage.
Sultanov manages to break the clinch.
Sultanov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Sultanov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sultanov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Saba closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Saba lands in his opponent's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saba controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Saba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Saba decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sultanov, up you get!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saba throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Sultanov.
Saba looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Saba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saba on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sultanov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sultanov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Saba shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sultanov pinned against the cage. Sultanov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice sprawl there from Sultanov as Saba shoots in.
Sultanov thuds his shin into the meat of Saba's side.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Saba.
Saba gets a clinch.
Sultanov throws an elbow but it misses.
Saba fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sultanov trying to land knees to the body.
Sultanov fails to pull guard.
Sultanov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Saba jumps guard but Sultanov stands there with Saba around his waist. Saba gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sultanov pulls Saba into guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saba decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Sultanov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Saba counters by clinching up.
Sultanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sultanov.
Saba looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sultanov is fending him off so far but Saba persists. Nope, Sultanov circles away and we're back to standing.
Saba has a takedown stuffed.
A punch lands to the side of Saba 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sultanov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Saba takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sultanov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Saba misses with a hook.
Amir Sultanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A swing and a miss from Sultanov.
Sultanov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sultanov gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Saba counters with an inside leg kick.
Saba lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Saba lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sultanov backs up against the cage.
Sultanov tries to keep at a distance but Saba has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sultanov prevents Saba from breaking the clinch.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Amir Sultanov.
I think Saba 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erik Saba!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
77% |
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