PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Craig Bartholemew (ranked 3103 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khalid Al Saadoun (ranked 3767 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bartholemew
vs
Al Saadoun

180 cm
25
155 lbs
7 - 5 - 1

181 cm
25
156 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Brawler
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 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Craig Bartholemew!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Khalid Al Saadoun!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Daniel Franklin and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Al Saadoun closes the distance and pushes Bartholemew back into the cage.

Bartholemew gets control of Al Saadoun's arms and successfully pulls guard. Bartholemew will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Al Saadoun slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Al Saadoun wants to stand and escape but instead Bartholemew has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Bartholemew slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bartholemew tries to stand but Al Saadoun is controlling his head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Saadoun is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Bartholemew asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bartholemew working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Bartholemew trying to control the position but Al Saadoun is working away.
Al Saadoun wants to control but Bartholemew postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bartholemew throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Al Saadoun is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Bartholemew wants to stand but Al Saadoun is controlling his arm.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Al Saadoun pushes Bartholemew away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bartholemew gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Bartholemew looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Al Saadoun is trying to control Bartholemew's posture but Bartholemew avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Saadoun is looking for a sweep.
Al Saadoun sneaks back into half guard.
Bartholemew thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bartholemew is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Al Saadoun!
Al Saadoun is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Al Saadoun reaches up and holds on to Bartholemew to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bartholemew trying to control but Al Saadoun is having none of it.
Al Saadoun is trying to reverse the position but instead Bartholemew has taken his back - oops!
Al Saadoun wants to get back to his feet.
A lull in the action here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
You can see the frustration on Al Saadoun's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Bartholemew dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Al Saadoun stuffs the takedown attempt from Bartholemew. Bartholemew gets slowly back to his feet.
Al Saadoun shoots in for a takedown but Bartholemew shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bartholemew is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Al Saadoun can do to turn this around?
Bartholemew is looking to clinch.
Bartholemew looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Al Saadoun drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Bartholemew defends it well.
A head kick misses from Al Saadoun.

Al Saadoun rushes Bartholemew and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Al Saadoun tries to break the clinch but Bartholemew is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bartholemew is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Al Saadoun to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Craig Bartholemew. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bartholemew is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Al Saadoun to keep the fight standing.
Bartholemew drops down looking for an ankle pick but Al Saadoun pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bartholemew throws a head kick that misses.
Bartholemew is trying hard to land a takedown here. Al Saadoun sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartholemew fails with a takedown attempt.

Al Saadoun closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bartholemew did well to prevent Al Saadoun getting side control.
Al Saadoun content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Al Saadoun is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Ground and pound from Al Saadoun.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartholemew 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!
Bartholemew thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Bartholemew looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Al Saadoun taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Craig Bartholemew!