PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Rizzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Al Sahab (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rizzo
vs
Sahab

185 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

201 cm
25
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pedro Rizzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Al Sahab!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rizzo misses with the combination.
Good standup being displayed there by Rizzo as he connects with a hook.
Sahab tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rizzo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sahab somewhat.
Rizzo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rizzo.
Rizzo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sahab wants to clinch.
Rizzo tries to bum rush Sahab with a series of wild strikes but Sahab uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rizzo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Sahab gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rizzo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rizzo stalling in the clinch but Sahab improves position.
Sahab tries to pull guard but Rizzo won't allow it.
Sahab is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rizzo is defending well for now.
Rizzo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sahab has him pressed against the cage.

Sahab pulls guard effortlessly.

Sahab kicks Rizzo off and gets to his feet.
Rizzo moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sahab misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sahab closes the distance but Rizzo moves to the side
and Rizzo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sahab thinking.
Rizzo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sahab walks into a jab.
Rizzo scores with the left hand. Sahab knows he should have avoided that one.
Sahab fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rizzo avoids it really well and circles away.
Pedro Rizzo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Al Sahab.
Sahab wants to clinch.
Rizzo misses with an uppercut. Sahab saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sahab keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sahab closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rizzo circles away.
Rizzo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rizzo lands with a shot to the body.
Rizzo throws a looping overhand right but Sahab ducks down to avoid it.
Rizzo with a jab.
Rizzo throws an off balance right hand

and Sahab counters with a single leg into guard. Rizzo didn't expect that.

Rizzo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rizzo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sahab sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rizzo's guard.

Sahab decides to return to a standing position.
Pedro Rizzo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sahab closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sahab takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice cross by Rizzo.
Rizzo throws out a powerful jab.
Rizzo throws a lazy uppercut
and Sahab counters with a flying knee. Nice.
No luck for Sahab with that takedown attempt.
Sahab misses with a takedown attempt - Rizzo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sahab uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rizzo.
Sahab shoots in for a double leg but Rizzo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rizzo is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Sahab looks gassed!
Sahab shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rizzo as he avoids it easily.
Rizzo sizes up Sahab with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rizzo darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sahab moves away from the strike by Rizzo.
Rizzo lands with a right hand.
Rizzo darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rizzo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sahab circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice uppercut lands for Rizzo. That snapped Sahab's head back.
Rizzo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sahab's hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Sahab dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rizzo lands with a right hand.
Sahab darts in trying to clinch
and Rizzo counters with a straight right hand.
Sahab takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sahab is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sahab avoids the body shot from Rizzo.
Rizzo punishes Sahab's body with a nice straight punch.
Sahab takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sahab fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rizzo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Sahab falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rizzo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo leaves Sahab with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rizzo digs a good hook to Sahab's body.
Rizzo connects with the punch.
Rizzo stuffs the takedown.
Pedro Rizzo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Al Sahab.
Sahab is breathing heavily.
Rizzo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rizzo avoids the head kick by Sahab.
Rizzo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sahab stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sahab closes the distance but Rizzo moves to the side
and Sahab takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Danga de danga de dang - Rizzo scores with a four punch combination!
Rizzo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rizzo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sahab fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rizzo catches Sahab with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rizzo throws a good cross that connects.
Sahab takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sahab tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sahab dives in and grabs Rizzo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rizzo pushes down on Sahab's head and hops out.
Rizzo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sahab. Sahab circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rizzo throws a jab when Sahab was well out of range.
Sahab misses with a takedown attempt - Rizzo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rizzo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sahab momentarily.
Rizzo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Rizzo scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Sahab has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sahab under the eye.
Sahab displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rizzo throws out the jab.
Sahab walks into a straight right hand from Rizzo.
Rizzo avoids the body shot from Sahab.
Sahab ducks under a wild hook from Rizzo.
Rizzo misses with a looping left.
Donk. Rizzo catches Sahab right on the button with a cross.
Rizzo cracks a nice hook into Sahab's ribs.
Rizzo looks to throw the jab but Sahab is out of range.
Sahab shoots in for a takedown but Rizzo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sahab tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rizzo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sahab somewhat.
Sahab moves forwards but Rizzo connects with a nice, crisp jab.

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.
A left lands for Rizzo.
Sahab fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Rizzo. That snapped Sahab's head back.
Rizzo thuds his right hand into Sahab's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nice uppercut lands for Rizzo. That snapped Sahab's head back.
Sahab takes one on the button.
Rizzo listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rizzo connects with a body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sahab takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rizzo throws a good cross that connects.
Rizzo digs a good hook to Sahab's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Rizzo dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Sahab with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rizzo to score with a decent uppercut.
Rizzo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sahab.
Sahab looks to land a right hand but Rizzo moved out of range.
Rizzo scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sahab throws a right hand that Rizzo ducks under and follows up with a left that Rizzo also avoids with ease.
Rizzo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Rizzo here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Rizzo fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rizzo jabs at Sahab's body.
Rizzo throws a lazy right hand but Sahab sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rizzo avoids the head kick by Sahab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rizzo catches Sahab with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rizzo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nice straight punches there by Rizzo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rizzo.
Sahab shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rizzo as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo stuns Sahab with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sahab takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rizzo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rizzo wants it to stay on the feet.
Rizzo works the jab nicely.
Sahab misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pedro Rizzo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Al Sahab.
Rizzo lands a nice hook to Sahab's body. Sahab takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nice cross by Rizzo.
Rizzo lands with an overhand left.
Al Sahab is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sahab uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rizzo.
Sahab on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Rizzo throws out a powerful jab.
Sahab takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sahab takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Donk. Rizzo catches Sahab right on the button with a cross.
Rizzo lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Rizzo connects with a jab.
Nice jab there from Rizzo.
Rizzo listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rizzo throws a jab but it's blocked by Sahab.
Rizzo lands with a good body shot.
Sahab walks into a left hand.
Rizzo connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Sahab shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rizzo sprawls well. Rizzo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sahab gets slowly back to his feet.
A right-left combo lands from Rizzo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sahab with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rizzo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rizzo throws a good cross that connects.
Rizzo thuds his right hand into Sahab's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sahab walks into a left hand.
Rizzo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rizzo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sahab tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rizzo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sahab misses with a combination
and Rizzo counters with a nice body shot.
Rizzo stalks Sahab and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sahab's face. Sahab staggers backwards, shaken.
Rizzo throws a lazy right hand but Sahab sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sahab moves forwards but Rizzo connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A swing and a miss from Rizzo.

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.
Sahab closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rizzo circles away.
Rizzo with a nice cross.
Sahab is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rizzo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sahab takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sahab takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rizzo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rizzo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rizzo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rizzo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sahab.
Sahab with a poor takedown
and Rizzo counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice shot by Rizzo.
Rizzo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pedro Rizzo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rizzo 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pedro Rizzo!