PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hichem Saifeddine (ranked 2699 p4p, 300 weight class) and Louis Edwards (ranked 2990 p4p, 329 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Saifeddine
vs
Edwards

183 cm
25
157 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

184 cm
25
159 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

MMA Underwear Laundry

Blue Moon

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hichem Saifeddine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Louis Edwards!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saifeddine rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Edwards moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Edwards tries to close the distance and clinch but Saifeddine swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Edwards avoids the head kick by Saifeddine.
Saifeddine misses with a head kick.
Saifeddine tries a head kick but it misses.
Saifeddine tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Edwards shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Saifeddine's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Edwards is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Edwards drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Edwards jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Edwards controlling from the top position.
Edwards must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Edwards throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Edwards stops Saifeddine from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards throws a big elbow that misses.
Edwards wants to stand but Saifeddine has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Edwards pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saifeddine is keeping the position for now.
Edwards really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saifeddine. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Saifeddine is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Edwards is controlling him.
Edwards wants to pass the guard but Saifeddine is keeping the position.
Saifeddine wants to stand but Edwards is controlling the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Edwards pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saifeddine is keeping the position for now.
Edwards is stalling in the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Saifeddine pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Edwards drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Saifeddine defends it well.
Saifeddine misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saifeddine throws a sloppy head kick and Edwards moves out of range easily.
Edwards thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Saifeddine if he has to take too many more of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards tries to close the distance and clinch but Saifeddine swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Edwards closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Saifeddine pushes Edwards away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Edwards gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Edwards controls the position.
Saifeddine is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Edwards looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Saifeddine is avoiding damage well.
Saifeddine is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Edwards has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Edwards takes a little break here. Saifeddine wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Edwards lands a few punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saifeddine is trying to buck Edwards off.
Edwards cracks Saifeddine with a big elbow.
The referee asks Edwards politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Edwards prefers to stall for the moment though.
Saifeddine is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Saifeddine prevents Edwards from moving into mount.
Edwards is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Saifeddine wants to get back to his feet but Edwards drags him back down.
Edwards wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saifeddine keeps working.
The referee asks Edwards politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Edwards prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saifeddine tries to escape but Edwards is in control.

Edwards decides to stand back up. Edwards steps back and let's Saifeddine get back to his feet.
Saifeddine tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Edwards clinches up against the cage.
Saifeddine gets underhooks to prevent Edwards's takedown attempt.
Edwards throws a knee to the head but misses.

Edwards pulls guard successfully.
Saifeddine has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Edwards is proving hard to escape from.
Edwards trying to control the position here.
Edwards's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Edwards tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Louis Edwards dominated that round.
That's time! Saifeddine's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Edwards blocks a head kick by Saifeddine.
Saifeddine throws a head kick that misses

and Edwards moves into the clinch.
Edwards trying to stall but Saifeddine improves his position.
Edwards jumps guard but Saifeddine turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Saifeddine looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Saifeddine wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Saifeddine wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Saifeddine wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Edwards using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Saifeddine has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Edwards gets control of Saifeddine's arms and successfully pulls guard. Edwards will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Edwards controls Saifeddine momentarily but Saifeddine frees himself.

Edwards is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saifeddine defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saifeddine trying to stand up but can't free himself from Edwards's guard.
Edwards striking off his back but it's not causing Saifeddine any problems.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards trying to control the position.
Saifeddine wants to stand but Edwards is controlling his posture from full guard.
Edwards looking to hit a scissor sweep but Saifeddine is one step ahead there.

Edwards is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Saifeddine wanted to stand there but Edwards had control of the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Saifeddine swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Saifeddine throws a head kick that misses.
A nice combination there by Saifeddine.
Hichem Saifeddine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Edwards scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Edwards has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Edwards gets a clinch.
Saifeddine has had enough of the clinch but Edwards keeps him there for the moment.
Edwards is trying to pull guard but Saifeddine turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saifeddine tries to circle away but Edwards has him pinned against the cage.
Edwards is trying to pull guard but Saifeddine has him pressed against the cage.
Hichem Saifeddine has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Louis Edwards.
Saifeddine tries to break free but Edwards pushes him back against the cage.
Saifeddine wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Edwards has him pressed against the cage.

Edwards manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Saifeddine.
Hichem Saifeddine is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saifeddine throws a head kick but Edwards moves out of range.
Saifeddine throws a head kick but Edwards moves out of range.
Edwards wants to counter the offense by Saifeddine and move into the clinch position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saifeddine throws a sloppy head kick and Edwards moves out of range easily.
Saifeddine misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And Edwards responds with a good body kick, but Saifeddine manages to step out the way in time.
Saifeddine throws a sloppy head kick and Edwards moves out of range easily.
Edwards swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Saifeddine throws a head kick but Edwards moves out of range.

Edwards drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Edwards drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Edwards jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Edwards missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Edwards controls from within his opponent's guard.
Saifeddine is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Edwards is controlling him.
Edwards is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Saifeddine can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Edwards controls the pace.
Saifeddine wants to stand and escape but Edwards is having none of it.
Saifeddine being controlled here, momentarily.
Edwards lands a couple of digs.

That's four 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.
Saifeddine keeping full guard, as Edwards tries to pass.
Edwards sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Saifeddine wants to stand and escape but Edwards is having none of it.
Saifeddine trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saifeddine misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saifeddine misses with a head kick.
Edwards throws a right and a left that Saifeddine avoids nicely.

Saifeddine tries to keep at a distance but Edwards has taken the fight into the clinch.
Edwards tries to pull guard but Saifeddine forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Louis Edwards will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Saifeddine lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Edwards backs up against the cage.
Saifeddine misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Edwards dives in for a single leg takedown but Saifeddine sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A punch combination from Saifeddine misses.
Saifeddine throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Edwards shoots for a double leg takedown but Saifeddine sprawls well. He's pushed Edwards's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Saifeddine throws a head kick that misses.
Hichem Saifeddine is winning the standup battle so far.

Edwards moves into the clinch.
Edwards is trying to drag Saifeddine to the mat but Saifeddine just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hichem Saifeddine has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Louis Edwards.
Saifeddine is trying to break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saifeddine is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Saifeddine blocks the elbow strike.
A frustrated look appears on Saifeddine's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Edwards is working for takedown but Saifeddine is calmly controlling the position for now.
Edwards is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Saifeddine gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saifeddine has had enough of the clinch but Edwards keeps him there for the moment.
A bit of stalling here from Edwards.
Saifeddine looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Edwards breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saifeddine throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Edwards's head.
Saifeddine misses with a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saifeddine misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saifeddine throws a sloppy head kick
and Edwards counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Saifeddine tries a head kick but it misses.
Edwards throws a head kick that misses.
Saifeddine throws a head kick but Edwards moves out of range.

Edwards changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Saifeddine looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Saifeddine tries to escape but Edwards is in control.

Edwards thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Edwards decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards fails to land the takedown.

Edwards looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Edwards controlling the action here.
Saifeddine pushes Edwards off looking to stand but Edwards dives back in and keeps control.
Edwards slows the pace down in half guard.
Saifeddine is trying to stand up here but Edwards is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Edwards stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Saifeddine to get to his feet.
Saifeddine misses with a double jab.

Edwards closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Edwards slows the pace down in half guard.
Edwards thows a huge punch but Saifeddine dodges it nicely.
Saifeddine wants to get back to his feet.
Edwards controlling the pace.

Saifeddine pushes Edwards off and gets back to his feet.

Edwards drives through with a takedown into Saifeddine's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Saifeddine wants to stand and escape but Edwards is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards controlling from the top position.
Let's hope that Edwards has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Saifeddine working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Edwards.
Saifeddine wants to stand up but Edwards is controlling him.
Edwards sitting in guard here, content to control.

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

Edwards closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Edwards lands in his opponent's guard.
Hichem Saifeddine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Louis Edwards is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Edwards engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Hichem Saifeddine.
I think Edwards has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Hichem Saifeddine!