PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Leonardo Nandez (ranked 2978 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khalid Al Saadoun (ranked 4260 p4p, 0 weight class). Khalid Al Saadoun is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Nandez
vs
Al Saadoun

178 cm
25
155 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

181 cm
25
156 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Leonardo Nandez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Khalid Al Saadoun!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Dirk Anderson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Al Saadoun as Nandez shoots in.

Al Saadoun drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Nandez is being controlled here.
Nandez manages to work his way to half guard, despite Al Saadoun's best efforts.
Nandez is trying to maintain the position but Al Saadoun is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Saadoun sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nandez defending well though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nandez won't allow Al Saadoun to pass to mount.

Nandez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nandez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Al Saadoun throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Al Saadoun showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Nandez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Al Saadoun tries to free his leg and advance position but Nandez is retaining full guard.

Al Saadoun got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nandez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Al Saadoun has managed to get both his arms back between Nandez's legs - danger averted.
Al Saadoun trying to control the position from guard on top but Nandez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.

Nandez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Al Saadoun doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Al Saadoun manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
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's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Al Saadoun bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Nandez regains half guard.
Al Saadoun wants to stand but Nandez has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nandez wants to improve his position but Al Saadoun is controlling well.
Nandez is trying to stand back up but Al Saadoun is controlling him

Al Saadoun is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nandez is just riding it out for now. Al Saadoun eventually gives up the hold.
Nandez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

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.
Nandez lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nandez is looking to work some ground and pound but Al Saadoun has wrist control.
Al Saadoun wants to sweep but no luck.
Nandez tries to free his leg and advance position but Al Saadoun is retaining full guard.
Nandez is fighting to break Al Saadoun's control of his arms but Al Saadoun is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Nandez trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Saadoun is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Saadoun pulls Nandez in to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Leonardo Nandez will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Al Saadoun jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nandez darts in looking for a takedown but Al Saadoun gets double underhooks and turns Nandez into the cage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nandez is defended easily by Al Saadoun.
A head kick misses from Al Saadoun.
Nandez throws a quick counter head kick but Al Saadoun was just out of range.
Al Saadoun throws a leg kick but Nandez checks it.

Al Saadoun closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Al Saadoun lands in his opponent's guard.
Nandez trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nandez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Al Saadoun's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Saadoun seems keen to control Nandez's posture.
Nandez slips nicely into half guard.
Al Saadoun tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Nandez stops Al Saadoun from getting back to his feet.
Nandez wants to stand up but Al Saadoun has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Nandez trying to pass the guard but Al Saadoun defending well.
Leonardo Nandez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Al Saadoun is positioning himself well to prevent Nandez advancing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Al Saadoun wants to control the action here but instead Nandez manages to pass to full mount!
Al Saadoun sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Al Saadoun is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nandez is trying to control. Al Saadoun wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Al Saadoun tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Nandez has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nandez wants to control the pace but Al Saadoun is squirming around nicely.
Al Saadoun wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Nandez.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nandez is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Nandez controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nandez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Poor strikes thrown by Nandez there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Al Saadoun is desperately trying to improve his position but Nandez has a good base and remains in mount.
Nandez looking to control but Al Saadoun is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nandez controlling from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leonardo Nandez dominated that second round.
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!

Nandez fails with a takedown attempt.
Nandez moves in looking to clinch but Al Saadoun pushes him off.

Nandez tries to sprawl but Al Saadoun drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Nandez is trying to stand back up but Al Saadoun is controlling him
Nandez trying to control here.
Al Saadoun wants to control but Nandez is keeping him busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Saadoun takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Nandez moves into full guard.
Al Saadoun looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Saadoun trying to control but Nandez is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Al Saadoun is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Al Saadoun tries a head kick but it misses.

Al Saadoun shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Nandez 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!

Nandez looking to break Al Saadoun's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Al Saadoun remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Nandez will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Saadoun is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Nandez tries to keep control of the position but Al Saadoun is staying busy.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Al Saadoun tries to escape the position.
Al Saadoun trying to control but not successfully.
Al Saadoun covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Saadoun is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Al Saadoun is still trying to improve position.

Al Saadoun defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Al Saadoun is keeping busy.
Al Saadoun trying to control the action but Nandez just sinks the hooks in.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Nandez's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's four 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.
Nandez has the hooks in. Al Saadoun is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Nandez missing with punches from the back.
Al Saadoun trying to control the action but Nandez just sinks the hooks in.
I really don't envy Al Saadoun right now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Nandez looking for the choke from the back.
Khalid Al Saadoun has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leonardo Nandez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Will Nandez go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

And that's the end of the fight!
Leonardo Nandez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nandez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leonardo Nandez!