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 has chosen Shamhan Daldaev - Eto Kavkaz as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Garcius
vs
Saidov

183 cm
33
190 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

188 cm
37
202 lbs
19 - 13 - 1

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Helios Garcius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Ismail Saidov!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saidov drives through and clinches with Garcius against the cage.
Saidov slows down the pace here.
Saidov lands with a right to the head.
Saidov taking a breather.
Come on Saidov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saidov.
Garcius pushes Saidov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've been hearing reports that Garcius has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garcius fails to pull guard.
Garcius is trying to drag Saidov to the mat but Saidov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Garcius is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Saidov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Saidov receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
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.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helios Garcius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saidov lands an uppercut.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Saidov.
Saidov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Garcius up against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius is looking to clinch but Saidov is avoiding it.
Garcius throws a shot to the body.
Ismail Saidov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Garcius throws a right hand that Saidov ducks under and follows up with a left that Saidov also avoids with ease.
Garcius wants to clinch up but Saidov keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcius throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Helios Garcius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Garcius throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Saidov was covering up waiting for the punch and Garcius finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Saidov wants to stand up but Garcius is controlling him.
Garcius throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Saidov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Saidov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Garcius lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Saidov is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Garcius presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saidov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Saidov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saidov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Saidov slows down the pace here.
The crowd are getting on Saidov's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Saidov just leaning against Garcius, taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius scores with a three punch combo!

Saidov moves into the clinch.
Saidov stalls.
Saidov is struggling to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Saidov.
Saidov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius closes the distance and clinches up with Saidov, looking for a takedown. Garcius pushes Saidov against the cage but Saidov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Saidov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Saidov slowing the pace effectively.
Saidov is stalling here.
Garcius fails to pull guard.
Garcius is trying to force a seperation but Saidov has the dominant position.
Garcius being controlled against the cage.
Saidov has Garcius pushed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismail Saidov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Garcius closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Saidov leaning against his opponent.
Saidov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saidov blocks an uppercut.
Saidov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saidov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Garcius fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Saidov instigates a 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saidov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Saidov blocks a body shot from Garcius.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saidov has Garcius pushed against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Garcius dodges an elbow strike from Saidov.
Garcius looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Saidov effectively controlling the action here.
Saidov slowing the pace effectively.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius doesn't manage to clinch there - Saidov circles away.
Saidov throws out a counter right but Garcius avoids it with no problem.
Saidov tries to clinch up.
Garcius seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Garcius tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saidov tries to clinch but Garcius moves out of range.
Garcius misses with a jab, cross combination.
Garcius tries to clinch but Saidov moves out of range.
Saidov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Saidov clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcius is trying to force a seperation but Saidov has the dominant position.
A nice left hand lands by Saidov.
Saidov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Saidov.
Saidov slows down the pace here.
Saidov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Garcius has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Saidov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Garcius wants to break the clinch but can't.
The referee is keeping an eye on Saidov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Saidov leaning against his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saidov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Saidov pressing his opponent against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.

Garcius gets tackled into the cage by Saidov. Saidov maintains the clinch.
Garcius is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Garcius drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helios Garcius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saidov avoiding damage.
Garcius has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Saidov after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Saidov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Saidov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Saidov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Garcius tries a body shot but Saidov blocks it.
Saidov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Saidov is pushing Garcius up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saidov has Garcius pushed against the cage.
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! Garcius's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

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 keeps the fight on the outside.
Saidov keeps the fight on the outside.
Garcius tries for a takedown but Saidov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Garcius tries to bum rush Saidov with a series of wild strikes but Saidov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Saidov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Saidov stalls.
Saidov stalling against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Garcius throws a head kick that misses.
Garcius looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Garcius misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garcius fails to land the takedown.
Helios Garcius is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Saidov clinches up with Garcius and pushes him back against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Saidov.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Saidov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Saidov stalling.

Garcius jumps guard and drags Saidov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Garcius looking to hit a scissor sweep but Saidov is one step ahead there.
Saidov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Garcius not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Saidov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ismail Saidov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcius trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Saidov looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saidov being controlled here momentarily.

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

Saidov darts in and clinches Garcius up against the cage.
Garcius is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helios Garcius. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Garcius gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Garcius not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saidov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Garcius.
Garcius sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Saidov defending well though.
Saidov is looking to escape.
Garcius not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Garcius throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Garcius missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Saidov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Garcius sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Saidov defending well though.
Garcius thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Saidov's head.
Saidov is trying to stand back up but Garcius is controlling him
Garcius takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Garcius misses with a head shot. Saidov uses the momentum to regain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Garcius working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saidov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Saidov manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Saidov moves into the clinch successfully.
Saidov scores with a knee to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Saidov as Garcius tries to tie him up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saidov slowing the pace effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ismail Saidov.
I've got Saidov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ismail Saidov!
Our winner, Ismail Saidov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.