PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad (ranked 4179 p4p, 0 weight class) and Namkabuan Nongkee Sittichuchai (ranked 5639 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Mohammed Al Haddad
vs
Nongkee Sittichuchai

180 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

177 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite 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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Namkabuan Nongkee Sittichuchai!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Bruno Lombardi and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Haddad shoots in but no luck this time.
Al Haddad will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sittichuchai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Al Haddad is breathing heavily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sittichuchai.
Sittichuchai slips a jab and a cross from Al Haddad.
Sittichuchai wants to counter the offense by Al Haddad and move into the clinch position.
Al Haddad shoots in for a takedown but Sittichuchai shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Haddad misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sittichuchai clinches with his opponent.

Sittichuchai jumps guard and drags Al Haddad to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Sittichuchai is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Al Haddad is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sittichuchai manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Al Haddad manages to get himself to full guard.

Sittichuchai trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Haddad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al Haddad pulls Sittichuchai in close to his closed guard and prevents Sittichuchai from doing any damage or advancing position.
Al Haddad tries to strike from the bottom.

Al Haddad looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two 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 Haddad seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Al Haddad tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sittichuchai wants to get up but he can't break Al Haddad's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Al Haddad is pulling down on Sittichuchai's head. It's preventing any offense from Sittichuchai, at least for the moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Al Haddad has a closed guard, preventing Sittichuchai from standing up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Al Haddad gets a clinch.
Al Haddad looking to throw knees to the head but Sittichuchai is blocking nicely.
Sittichuchai tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sittichuchai to keep the fight standing.
Sittichuchai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sittichuchai tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Al Haddad tries to pull guard but Sittichuchai won't allow it.

Sittichuchai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sittichuchai tries to close the distance and clinch but Al Haddad swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Al Haddad looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sittichuchai is fending him off so far but Al Haddad persists. Nope, Sittichuchai circles away and we're back to standing.

Sittichuchai moves into the clinch.
Al Haddad tries to pull guard but Sittichuchai won't allow it.
Sittichuchai changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Al Haddad fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Al Haddad closes the distance and clinches.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sittichuchai fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Al Haddad throws a big counter combination but Sittichuchai scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Al Haddad tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Al Haddad tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sittichuchai tries to counter by closing the distance.
Nice body punch from Al Haddad.
Sittichuchai fails with a takedown attempt.
Sittichuchai darts in looking for a takedown but Al Haddad gets double underhooks and turns Sittichuchai into the cage.
The crowd cheers as Al Haddad lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sittichuchai doesn't seem phased though.
Sittichuchai leaves Al Haddad with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sittichuchai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Al Haddad shoots in but no luck this time.
Sittichuchai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Al Haddad swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A swing and a miss from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad tries to clinch but Sittichuchai moves out of range.
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 Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sittichuchai avoids the body shot from Al Haddad.
Sittichuchai is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Sittichuchai avoids the body shot from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad wants to clinch.
Al Haddad has a takedown stuffed.
Sittichuchai shoots in for a takedown but Al Haddad shows good takedown defense.
Al Haddad misses with a takedown attempt - Sittichuchai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sittichuchai or perhaps it was just good defense by Al Haddad, which made it look bad.
Al Haddad shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sittichuchai as he jumps to the side.
Sittichuchai appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sittichuchai lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Al Haddad backs up against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Haddad misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Al Haddad rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sittichuchai counters with a left and a right that stings Al Haddad.
Sittichuchai takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Al Haddad gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sittichuchai.
Sittichuchai shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Al Haddad but Al Haddad pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A shot to the liver by Al Haddad. Beautiful body shot.
Al Haddad shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A right-left combo lands from Sittichuchai.
Al Haddad throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sittichuchai sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Al Haddad fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sittichuchai avoids it really well and circles away.
Sittichuchai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad misses with a takedown attempt - Sittichuchai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sittichuchai connects with a jab.
Sittichuchai slaps away a takedown attempt from Al Haddad, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Al Haddad has managed to clinch.

Al Haddad pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sittichuchai fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Al Haddad throws a shot to the body.
Al Haddad is looking to wear down Sittichuchai with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sittichuchai.
A little feinted left hand from Al Haddad on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Al Haddad closes the distance and pushes Sittichuchai back into the cage.

Al Haddad escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Al Haddad lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sittichuchai defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Al Haddad.
Sittichuchai blocks a head kick by Al Haddad.
Al Haddad displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sittichuchai.
Al Haddad seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Al Haddad throws a head kick but Sittichuchai moves out of range.
Al Haddad wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sittichuchai drives through and clinches with Al Haddad against the cage.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sittichuchai takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Al Haddad throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad is winning the standup battle so far.
No luck for Al Haddad with that takedown attempt.
Sittichuchai lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
No luck for Sittichuchai with that takedown attempt.

Al Haddad closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sittichuchai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Al Haddad tries for a takedown but Sittichuchai manages to get underhooks.

Sittichuchai decides to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Namkabuan Nongkee Sittichuchai will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sittichuchai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Al Haddad misses with a straight right.
Al Haddad wants to clinch.
Al Haddad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sittichuchai defends it nicely.
Sittichuchai fails with an attempt to clinch.
Al Haddad wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sittichuchai leaves Al Haddad with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sittichuchai dives in and grabs Al Haddad's left leg, looking for a takedown. Al Haddad pushes down on Sittichuchai's head and hops out.
Al Haddad is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Haddad keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Al Haddad clinches.
Al Haddad has Sittichuchai pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sittichuchai manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sittichuchai has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Al Haddad uses from the top position.
Al Haddad controls from within his opponent's guard.
Sittichuchai looking for a sweep. Not yet Sittichuchai, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Al Haddad scoring with some ground and pound.
Sittichuchai looking for a sweep. Not yet Sittichuchai, not yet.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Al Haddad 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.

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

Al Haddad gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Al Haddad is trying to pull guard but Sittichuchai turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Al Haddad stops a takedown attempt from Sittichuchai.
Al Haddad is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sittichuchai to keep the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Al Haddad fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sittichuchai avoids it really well and circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Al Haddad. No joy for Sittichuchai on that attempt.

Al Haddad looking to score a takedown here. Sittichuchai is defending well but Al Haddad drives through and ends up in Sittichuchai's guard.
Sittichuchai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sittichuchai striking off his back but it's not causing Al Haddad any problems.

Al Haddad gets to his feet - Sittichuchai follows without any prompting.

Sittichuchai gets tackled into the cage by Al Haddad. Al Haddad maintains the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sittichuchai prevents it.

Al Haddad has clasped his hands together around Sittichuchai's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Al Haddad tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al Haddad is staying tight to Sittichuchai's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Haddad working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

And that's the end of the fight!
Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Al Haddad has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad!