PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Abdulmalek Al Saadoun (ranked 4715 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dexter Varela (ranked 3198 p4p, 0 weight class). Abdulmalek Al Saadoun looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Al Saadoun
vs
Varela

176 cm
25
156 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
156 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Abdulmalek Al Saadoun!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dexter Varela !
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Dirk Anderson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Al Saadoun instigates a clinch.
Al Saadoun looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
A short body shot lands from Varela as the two fighters clinch.
Al Saadoun tries to pull guard but Varela holds him up against the cage and eventually Al Saadoun drops back down to his feet.
Varela is looking to take this one to the mat.
Al Saadoun tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Al Saadoun goes for a takedown attempt but Varela pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdulmalek Al Saadoun. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Varela scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Al Saadoun tries to keep at a distance but Varela has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Saadoun is looking to take this one to the mat.
Varela jumps guard but Al Saadoun turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Varela crunches a lovely knee into Al Saadoun's ribcage.
Varela lands a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Saadoun stops a takedown attempt from Varela .
Varela is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Al Saadoun is defending well.
Varela has Al Saadoun pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Al Saadoun manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Varela wants to break free but Al Saadoun has control.
Al Saadoun is trying to pull guard but Varela turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Varela lands with a right to the head.
Varela tries to break the clinch but Al Saadoun is controlling the position.

Varela successfully pulls guard.
Al Saadoun won't allow Varela to sweep him here.

Varela has his foot on Al Saadoun's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Al Saadoun works his way back into a safe position though.
Al Saadoun prevents Varela from getting back to his feet.
Varela trying to keep a closed guard but Al Saadoun is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varela looking to hit a scissor sweep but Al Saadoun is one step ahead there.
Varela looking to control.
Varela wants to get back to his feet but Al Saadoun is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Varela 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varela is trying to control the position but Al Saadoun postures up.

Varela is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Al Saadoun defends well.
Al Saadoun in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Varela looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Al Saadoun is looking to pass into half guard but Varela pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Varela is in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varela throwing strikes from guard but Al Saadoun blocks nicely.
Varela with a flurry of punches that miss.
Al Saadoun keeping full guard, as Varela tries to pass.
Al Saadoun trying to keep a closed guard but Varela is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Varela trying to control but Al Saadoun is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dexter Varela dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Varela tries to score a power double leg takedown but Al Saadoun sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Varela somewhat.

Varela has closed the distance and engaged Al Saadoun in a clinch.
Varela is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Varela is looking for a takedown.
Abdulmalek Al Saadoun has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dexter Varela .
Varela digs a right hand underneath Al Saadoun's ribcage. Al Saadoun let out a lung full of air as it connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Varela tries to pull guard but Al Saadoun holds him up against the cage and eventually Varela drops back down to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Al Saadoun can't get the takedown.
Varela lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Saadoun is looking for a takedown.
Al Saadoun tries to break the clinch but Varela is controlling the position.
Al Saadoun fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Varela wants to break the clinch but can't.
Varela is trying to break free.
Varela tries to score a body lock takedown but Al Saadoun shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
I was talking to Al Saadoun's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Varela lands a body punch.
Varela goes for a takedown in the clinch but Al Saadoun prevents it.
Varela trying to control the position but instead, Al Saadoun has worked for underhooks and has pushed Varela into the cage.
Al Saadoun prevents Varela from breaking the clinch.

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.
Al Saadoun tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Varela smiles and moves away.
Varela lands an overhand right.
Varela moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Varela throws a head kick but Al Saadoun moves out of range.

Varela gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Varela looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Varela has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Varela is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Al Saadoun is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varela is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Al Saadoun has Varela pressed against the cage, preventing Varela from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Varela tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Al Saadoun smiles and moves away.
Varela misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Al Saadoun seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Varela clinches.
Al Saadoun manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Varela has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's four 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.
Al Saadoun is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Varela softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Al Saadoun is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Varela trying to control the position but instead, Al Saadoun has worked for underhooks and has pushed Varela into the cage.
Al Saadoun is working for takedown but Varela is calmly controlling the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Varela digs a right hand underneath Al Saadoun's ribcage. Al Saadoun let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Varela tries to circle away but Al Saadoun has him pinned against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dexter Varela 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!

Varela is looking to land body kicks.
Al Saadoun keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Varela tries for a takedown but Al Saadoun sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Varela clinches up with Al Saadoun and pushes him back against the cage.
Varela has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Al Saadoun avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Abdulmalek Al Saadoun has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dexter Varela .
Al Saadoun jumps guard but Varela stands there with Al Saadoun around his waist. Al Saadoun gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Al Saadoun is trying to pull guard but Varela turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Varela pulls Al Saadoun into guard.
Al Saadoun wants to control from the top but Varela keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Varela controls Al Saadoun momentarily but Al Saadoun frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varela looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Varela controls Al Saadoun momentarily but Al Saadoun frees himself.
Al Saadoun wants to control from the top but Varela keeps moving.
Varela bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Al Saadoun's guard.

Al Saadoun looking to hit a scissor sweep but Varela is one step ahead there.

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.
Varela passes Al Saadoun's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Al Saadoun on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Al Saadoun tries to get out of the position.
Varela seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Al Saadoun does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Varela seems to be looking for submissions.
Varela throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Varela wants to stand but Al Saadoun has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varela throwing shots but Al Saadoun is blocking nicely.
Al Saadoun is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Saadoun is not content to let Varela control the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Varela pushes Al Saadoun up against the cage in a clinch.

Varela successfully pulls guard.

Varela throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Saadoun wants to control from the top but Varela keeps moving.
Varela is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Varela working for a triangle but Al Saadoun defends it easily.
Dexter Varela has got the better of the ground game so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Varela not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dexter Varela comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Varela has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dexter Varela !