PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Chenglong Xie (ranked 8050 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdulmalek Al Saadoun (ranked 5081 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Chenglong Xie has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Xie
vs
Al Saadoun

177 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

176 cm
25
156 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Chenglong Xie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Abdulmalek Al Saadoun!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Al Saadoun looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Xie is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Al Saadoun has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Xie regains guard immediately.
Xie is trying to control the position but Al Saadoun postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Saadoun stopping the sweep attempt from Xie.
Xie has a closed guard, preventing Al Saadoun from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Xie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Al Saadoun can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Xie trying to keep a closed guard but Al Saadoun is proving a slippery customer.
Al Saadoun with a flurry of punches that miss.
Xie is trying to keep Al Saadoun in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Al Saadoun has closed the distance and engaged Xie in a clinch.
Xie wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Xie looking for a takedown.
Al Saadoun has Xie pressed against the cage, preventing Xie from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Al Saadoun tries for a takedown. No joy.
Xie tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Xie looking to slow down the pace here.
Xie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Al Saadoun gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Xie tries to pull guard but Al Saadoun forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chenglong Xie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xie jumps guard but Al Saadoun stands there with Xie around his waist. Xie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Xie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Al Saadoun gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Xie 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.
Al Saadoun prevents the takedown attempt.
Al Saadoun blocking some punches.
Xie tries to score a body lock takedown but Al Saadoun shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Xie tries to circle away but Al Saadoun has him pinned against the cage.

Al Saadoun lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Al Saadoun is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Al Saadoun controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xie wants to control but Al Saadoun is keeping busy and won't allow it.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Al Saadoun working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Xie wants to get back to his feet.
Xie trying to control here.
Al Saadoun blocks the strikes from Xie.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Saadoun prevents Xie from standing back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Xie lands a slapping body shot.

Xie has taken the fight to the clinch.
Al Saadoun is looking to break free of the clinch but Xie has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdulmalek Al Saadoun dominated that round.
That's time! Xie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Al Saadoun closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Xie is working for takedown but Al Saadoun is calmly controlling the position for now.
Xie wants to take the fight to the mat but Al Saadoun manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Al Saadoun is trying to force a seperation but Xie has the dominant position.
Al Saadoun changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Xie fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Xie shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chenglong Xie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xie fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nice takedown defense from Al Saadoun. No joy for Xie on that attempt.
Al Saadoun throws a combination that misses
and Xie counters with a left and a right that stings Al Saadoun.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xie darts in looking for a takedown but Al Saadoun gets double underhooks and turns Xie into the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice sprawl there from Al Saadoun as Xie shoots in.
Al Saadoun with the counter takedown but Xie avoids it easily.
Xie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Al Saadoun.
Xie quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Xie throws a head kick that half lands.
Xie with a poor takedown

and Al Saadoun counters by moving into the clinch.
Xie is trying to break the clinch but Al Saadoun has him pressed against the cage.
Al Saadoun misses with a knee strike.
Al Saadoun is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Xie's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Xie can't get the takedown.
A bit of stalling here from Xie.
Al Saadoun is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Xie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Al Saadoun to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Al Saadoun has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Xie uses from the top position.
Al Saadoun wants to get back to his feet but Xie passes into half guard.
Al Saadoun moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Xie wants to control from the top but Al Saadoun keeps moving.
Al Saadoun bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Xie's guard.

Xie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Al Saadoun defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xie being controlled here, momentarily.

Xie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Al Saadoun is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Xie is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Abdulmalek Al Saadoun has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Al Saadoun looking to pass the guard.
Al Saadoun is still trying to improve position.
Al Saadoun wants to control from the top but Xie keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Xie bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Al Saadoun's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Abdulmalek Al Saadoun will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Xie moves into the clinch.
Xie is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Al Saadoun pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Xie tries to break free but Al Saadoun pushes him back against the cage.
Xie tries to land knees in the clinch but Al Saadoun avoids the damage to the body.
Al Saadoun drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Xie gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Xie tries to break free but Al Saadoun pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Saadoun wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Xie has him pressed against the cage.
Xie jumps guard but Al Saadoun stands there with Xie around his waist. Xie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Al Saadoun takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Al Saadoun tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Xie just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xie has had enough of the clinch but Al Saadoun keeps him there for the moment.
Xie tries to circle away but Al Saadoun has him pinned against the cage.
Xie stops a takedown attempt from Al Saadoun.
Chenglong Xie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdulmalek Al Saadoun.

Xie ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Xie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Xie trying to control the position.
Xie keeping full guard, as Al Saadoun tries to pass.
Xie is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Al Saadoun is looking to stand up but Xie won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Xie is trying to keep Al Saadoun in close.
Xie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Al Saadoun must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Xie trying to keep a closed guard but Al Saadoun is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Al Saadoun clinches up against the cage.
Xie working hard to break the clinch.
Al Saadoun wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Xie has him pressed against the cage.
Xie is trying to drag Al Saadoun to the mat but Al Saadoun just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Al Saadoun is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Xie is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Saadoun drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Al Saadoun has Xie pressed against the cage, preventing Xie from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Xie is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Xie taking a breather.
Xie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Xie is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Xie can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Al Saadoun has Xie pressed against the cage, preventing Xie from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Al Saadoun is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Al Saadoun has clasped his hands together around Xie's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Xie is looking for a sweep.
Al Saadoun has control of an arm but Xie manages to advance to Al Saadoun's back!
Al Saadoun just trying to survive but Xie is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Will Xie go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Xie looking for the choke from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chenglong Xie showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Al Saadoun has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdulmalek Al Saadoun!