PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anwar Sadat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Li
vs
Sadat

171 cm
25
155 lbs
6 - 8 - 1

165 cm
28
155 lbs
12 - 7 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jeff Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anwar Sadat!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as Sadat lands an impressive looking overhand right. Li doesn't seem phased though.
Li throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sadat.
A little jabbing left from Sadat on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sadat avoids the head kick by Li.
Li on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Li misses with a jab, cross combination.
Li slips under a jab.
Sadat fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sadat misses with a looping right.
Sadat takes a swing at Li's ribcage but misses.
Li misses with a jab, cross combination.
A little jabbing left from Sadat on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Li slips under a jab.
Li drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sadat sprawls and moves away.
Sadat throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Li throws a head kick but Sadat moves out of range.
Li jabs Sadat to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big left from Sadat misses.
Sadat waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Li.
Li keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sadat.
Sadat takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sadat waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Li.
We've been told by Li's head coaches at Alpha Elite Private Training that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Sadat misses with a looping right.
Li throws a body punch but Sadat moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sadat lands with an uppercut that bounces Li off the cage and back into range.
Li misses with the combination.
Sadat throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Li sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Li defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sadat.
Sloppy strikes from Li. Those never looked like landing.
Sadat with the counter takedown but Li avoids it easily.
A jab lands there for Li.
Sadat slips a jab from Li.
A slow jab from Sadat misses its intended target.
Sadat might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Sadat throws a hook but Li blocks it.
A swing and a miss from Sadat.
Li changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Li misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sadat drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Li defends it well.
Sadat throws a looping overhand right but Li ducks down to avoid it.
Li stuffs the takedown.
A big right from Sadat misses.
The fighters circling - Sadat throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sadat bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Sadat on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sadat checks a low kick from Li.
Sadat connects with a right hand. Li shakes it off.
Sadat dives in for a single leg takedown but Li sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jeff Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anwar Sadat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Li. Sadat does a little dance to reset his feet.
Li slips under a jab.
Li misses with a double jab.
Sadat works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Li misses the shot to the body.
Sadat shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sadat swings for the body but Li moves out of range.
Sadat throws a jab but it's blocked by Li.
Sadat keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Li.
Sadat looks to throw the jab but Li is out of range.
Li half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Li misses with a double jab.
Li misses the shot to the body.
Sadat throws a shot from downtown. Li moves away and avoids it.
Sadat looks to score with a jab to the body but Li is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sadat misses with a straight right.
Li swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sadat loads up on a big right hand but Li slips the punch.
Sadat throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sadat throws a looping overhand right but Li ducks down to avoid it.

Sadat feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Sadat stopping the sweep attempt from Li.
Sadat advances position into side control!
Li gets back to half guard.
My spies in CW's Elite Kung-Fu Academy inform me that Sadat has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Li tries to get to full guard but Sadat has control of the leg.
Li is looking to escape.
Sadat is pressing down on Li's thigh, looking to free his foot. Li is holding on for now.
Sadat slows the pace down in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li tries to kick Sadat off but Sadat keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sadat wants to control but Li is keeping him busy.

Sadat is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Li doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sadat.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sadat is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Li is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anwar Sadat will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Li's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sadat connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Li scrambles back to his feet.
Li throws a series of punches but Sadat moves out of range.
Li throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fighters circling - Li throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Li gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sadat has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Li finds it's way round the side to connect with Sadat's head.
Sadat connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sadat steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Li.
Li uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sadat.
Sadat fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Li misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sadat swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sadat avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from Sadat misses.
Li keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Li tries to counter with a takedown but Sadat is quick to defend against it.
Li scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
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!
Sadat slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sadat blocks a head kick by Li.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sadat closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Li gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Sadat looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li working to try and regain half guard.
Sadat can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Li is looking to escape.
Sadat avoids the attempt from Li to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sadat tries to control but Li wriggling away.
Sadat might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Li haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Sadat goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Li is on top in guard.
Li wants to stand but Sadat is controlling his posture from full guard.
Li stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sadat swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sadat keeping moving, preventing Li from controlling successfully.
Sadat is pulling down on Li's head to control his posture.
Li has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Li wants to control from the top but Sadat keeps moving.
Li slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Li won't allow Sadat to sweep him here.
Li is looking to stand up but Sadat won't let him.
Li controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Li gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sadat pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Li is keeping the position for now.
Sadat showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Li is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sadat is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anwar Sadat showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Li bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sadat fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Li avoids it really well and circles away.
Li drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sadat sprawls and moves away.
A nice combination there by Li.
Li misses with a few strikes there.
Li misses with a series of wild punches.
Sadat throws out a counter right but Li avoids it with no problem.
Jeff Li is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sadat scores with a jab. Li acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sadat takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sadat loads up on a big right hand but Li slips the punch.
Li was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sadat darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Sadat looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Anwar Sadat has got the better of the ground game so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sadat is pressing down on Li's thigh, looking to free his foot. Li is holding on for now.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li is trying to control but can't.
Li is trying to stand up here but Sadat is controlling him well.
Sadat seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Li does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Li trying to control from the bottom.
Sadat wants to pass to mount but Li is defending the position.
Li is trying to control but can't.
Sadat tries to pass the half guard into mount. Li knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Sadat moves nicely into side control.
Li is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

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.
Li is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sadat off and has taken his back!
Sadat is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Li.
Li trying to control momentarily.
Li keeps control of the position as Sadat tries to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li tries to keep control of the position but Sadat is staying busy.
Sadat tries to roll but Li sticks to his back.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Li controlling the positon.
Li trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Anwar Sadat is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sadat trying to control the hands but Li won't let him.
Li looking to hold on to the position here but Sadat rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Sadat pulls Li in close to his closed guard and prevents Li from doing any damage or advancing position.
Sadat trying to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Li tries to stand but Sadat is controlling from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jeff Li.
I think Sadat 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Anwar Sadat!