PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shamil Saadulaev (ranked 4087 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dalcha Lungiambula (ranked 4486 p4p, 0 weight class). Dalcha Lungiambula is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Saadulaev
vs
Lungiambula

183 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
158 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

ZZ POPS

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shamil Saadulaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dalcha Lungiambula!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Winston Alpacca and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lungiambula keeps the fight on the outside.
Saadulaev gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Lungiambula counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Saadulaev keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Saadulaev looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saadulaev works his way to full guard. Good work.

Saadulaev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lungiambula can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Saadulaev holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lungiambula trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Saadulaev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lungiambula trying to control but Saadulaev is working from the bottom.
Lungiambula is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's two 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lungiambula displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Saadulaev.
Saadulaev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lungiambula.
Nice sprawl there from Lungiambula as Saadulaev shoots in.
Lungiambula shoots for a takedown but Saadulaev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lungiambula stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shamil Saadulaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lungiambula fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lungiambula instigates a clinch.
Lungiambula'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.
Lungiambula tries to score a body lock takedown but Saadulaev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Lungiambula is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Saadulaev can't fight it off and eventually Lungiambula manages to take the fight to the floor. Saadulaev looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Saadulaev wants to get back to his feet but Lungiambula is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Saadulaev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Saadulaev tries to get out of the position.
Saadulaev is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lungiambula's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Lungiambula stands up from Saadulaev's guard - Lungiambula perhaps looking for a knockout.
Lungiambula looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Saadulaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lungiambula swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lungiambula lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Lungiambula pushes Saadulaev up against the cage in a clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saadulaev prevents the takedown attempt.

Saadulaev has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Lungiambula clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lungiambula looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dalcha Lungiambula dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lungiambula.
Saadulaev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lungiambula looks for a takedown but Saadulaev sprawls well.
Lungiambula wants to clinch up but Saadulaev keeps it at a distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Saadulaev or perhaps it was just good defense by Lungiambula, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lungiambula shoots in but Saadulaev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shamil Saadulaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dalcha Lungiambula.
Nice sprawl there from Lungiambula as Saadulaev shoots in.
Lungiambula pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Lungiambula scores with a four punch combination!
Lungiambula has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lungiambula fails in his attempt to clinch.
Saadulaev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lungiambula.
It looked like Saadulaev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lungiambula shoots in for a double leg but Saadulaev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lungiambula with a nice cross.
Lungiambula tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Saadulaev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lungiambula thinking.
Lungiambula is breathing heavily.
Lungiambula stuffs the takedown attempt from Saadulaev. Saadulaev gets slowly back to his feet.
Lungiambula slips under a jab from Saadulaev.
Lungiambula is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Saadulaev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lungiambula defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev checks the leg kick.
Saadulaev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Lungiambula clinches up with Saadulaev and pushes him back against the cage.

Lungiambula breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saadulaev shoots for a takedown but Lungiambula saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Saadulaev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lungiambula.
Saadulaev seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Saadulaev. Those never looked like landing.

Saadulaev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lungiambula, pushing him back against the cage.
Lungiambula stalling the fight.
Saadulaev gets underhooks to prevent Lungiambula's takedown attempt.

Saadulaev has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lungiambula uses from the top position.
Lungiambula trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lungiambula is standing up over Saadulaev. Saadulaev looks to escape but Lungiambula dives into side control.
Lungiambula working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saadulaev tries to buck Lungiambula off but Lungiambula is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lungiambula is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Saadulaev has escaped the position, nice work there.
Saadulaev wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Lungiambula misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Lungiambula tries to move into full mount but can't pass Saadulaev's legs.
Dalcha Lungiambula has got the better of the ground game so far.
Saadulaev tries to buck Lungiambula off but Lungiambula is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lungiambula working away.
Saadulaev regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dalcha Lungiambula will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Saadulaev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lungiambula fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lungiambula fails with the takedown.
It looked like Saadulaev was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Saadulaev shoots in for a double leg but Lungiambula sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lungiambula defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Saadulaev.
Dalcha Lungiambula seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Saadulaev looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Saadulaev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lungiambula avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Saadulaev.
Saadulaev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lungiambula keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saadulaev content to control rather than advance.

Saadulaev is looking for a kimura but Lungiambula is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Saadulaev to get the leverage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lungiambula missing with punches from the bottom.

Lungiambula is trying to control Saadulaev's posture. Saadulaev takes advantage of the lull and advances to side control. He also appears to have an arm triangle here! Uh oh, big trouble for Lungiambula! Saadulaev is rotating here... this could be the end... Lungiambula is out! Saadulaev has ended this one emphatically! Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Shamil Saadulaev!