PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Khalid Al Saadoun (ranked 3661 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edward Savage (ranked 5886 p4p, 0 weight class). Edward Savage will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Al Saadoun
vs
Savage

181 cm
25
156 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

195 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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, Khalid Al Saadoun!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Edward Savage!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Bart Greer and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Al Saadoun fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Savage sprawls well initially but Al Saadoun persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Al Saadoun is controlling the pace.
Savage is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Al Saadoun's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Al Saadoun's back!
Savage tries to keep control of the position but Al Saadoun is staying busy.
Al Saadoun covering up well and avoiding damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Savage looking for the choke but no joy.

Savage working for the choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Saadoun tries to break free.
Savage gets his hands free as Al Saadoun looks to control.
Al Saadoun covering up well under a barage of strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Will Savage go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Savage wants to control but Al Saadoun is keeping busy.
Savage is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Al Saadoun trying to control the action but Savage just sinks the hooks in.
Al Saadoun is in bad spot here.
Savage missing with strikes from the back.
Savage trying to control momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage missing with punches from the back.
Savage has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Al Saadoun can't escape the position.
Al Saadoun knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Savage on the ground.
Al Saadoun is trying to get back to his feet but Savage has full control of the position and if anything, Al Saadoun has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Savage tries to get the hooks in deep but Al Saadoun pushed the leg off.
Al Saadoun might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Savage is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Al Saadoun is in bad spot here.
Al Saadoun is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Al Saadoun defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Savage's arms.
Savage has the hooks in. Al Saadoun is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Savage looking for the choke from the back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Saadoun can't escape the position.

Al Saadoun is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Savage gets his way!

Al Saadoun is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Savage gets his way!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Al Saadoun shoots in and gets a takedown into Savage's guard.
Al Saadoun stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Savage swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Savage controlling Al Saadoun's posture.
Savage controls Al Saadoun momentarily but Al Saadoun frees himself.
Savage has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savage has a closed guard, preventing Al Saadoun from standing up.
Savage wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage 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 wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Al Saadoun's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Savage wants to control from the top but Al Saadoun keeps moving.
Savage content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Al Saadoun looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Savage stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Al Saadoun swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Al Saadoun trying to keep a closed guard but Savage is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Al Saadoun tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Savage counters with a one-two to the body.
Savage darts in looking for a takedown but Al Saadoun gets double underhooks and turns Savage into the cage.

Al Saadoun drives through with a takedown into guard.

Savage has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Al Saadoun has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Saadoun drops down looking for an ankle pick but Savage pulls his leg out and moves away.
Savage wants to clinch but Al Saadoun slips to the side

and Al Saadoun counters with a takedown into side control.
Savage is breathing heavily.
Al Saadoun is looking to take a break and control but Savage is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Savage can't do much from the bottom here.
Al Saadoun wants to stand but Savage is controlling his arm.

Al Saadoun thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Saadoun working away.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Savage tries to clinch up but Al Saadoun circles away and keeps his distance.

Al Saadoun shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savage is trying to control but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Savage is defending against the submission attempts here by Al Saadoun.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Edward Savage will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Savage lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Al Saadoun defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Savage.
Al Saadoun keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Al Saadoun changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Savage looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Saadoun slows the pace down.
You can see the frustration on Savage's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Al Saadoun asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Savage takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Al Saadoun is chipping away with strikes.

Al Saadoun tries for a kimura but Savage is defending well.
Savage wants to control but Al Saadoun postures up.
Al Saadoun takes a little break here. Savage wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Savage is not content to let Al Saadoun control the position.
Al Saadoun in side control lands a decent elbow.
Savage regains half guard.
Al Saadoun tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Savage.
Al Saadoun keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Savage makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Savage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Savage is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Al Saadoun defends well.
Al Saadoun sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Al Saadoun throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Savage is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Al Saadoun changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Savage tries to avoid it but Al Saadoun manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Savage to the ground. Savage escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

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.
Al Saadoun pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Savage changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Al Saadoun tries to avoid it but Savage manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Al Saadoun to the ground. Al Saadoun escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Khalid Al Saadoun has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edward Savage.
Al Saadoun is looking to clinch but Savage is avoiding it.

Al Saadoun shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Savage manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savage is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Al Saadoun is staying active underneath Savage, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Saadoun tries to roll over but Savage keeps him under control.
Khalid Al Saadoun has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Edward Savage is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Savage perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khalid Al Saadoun showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Savage 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Edward Savage!