PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Saad Sadiq (ranked 22772 p4p, 2120 weight class) and Kron Gracie (ranked 611 p4p, 279 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Sadiq might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Where Have All The Boot Boys Gone - Slaughter And The Dogs . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sadiq
vs
Gracie

195 cm
31
200
4 - 8 - 1

190 cm
31
190
9 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Saad Sadiq !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kron Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie gets a double leg takedown into Sadiq 's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sadiq is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sadiq '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.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Sadiq keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sadiq swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sadiq is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gracie throws a hook but Sadiq blocks it.
Sadiq tries to counter with a takedown but Gracie is quick to defend against it.
Gracie misses with a body shot.
Sadiq fails with the takedown.
Gracie moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sadiq looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sadiq moves away.
Gracie throws out a powerful jab.

Gracie closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gracie lands in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Sadiq is retaining full guard.
Sadiq pulls Gracie in close to his closed guard and prevents Gracie from doing any damage or advancing position.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie 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.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Sadiq is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to stand but Sadiq is controlling from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gracie trying to control but Sadiq is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gracie looks for a takedown but Sadiq sprawls well.
Sadiq tries to counter with a takedown but Gracie is quick to defend against it.
Gracie misses with an uppercut

and Sadiq decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gracie's guard.
Gracie wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Sadiq manages to pass to side control.

Gracie wants to control but Sadiq is keeping busy.
Gracie makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sadiq won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
Sadiq passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Gracie tries to bench press Sadiq off him but Sadiq keeps the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
You can see the frustration on Gracie's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gracie manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kron Gracie dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sadiq is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gracie's half guard.
Gracie is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sadiq 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sadiq 's back!
Sadiq trying to control but not successfully.

Gracie looking to break Sadiq 's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Sadiq remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Gracie will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Sadiq wants to control his opponent's hands but Gracie gets his hands free.
Gracie trying to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sadiq just trying to survive but Gracie is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
A lull in the action here.
Gracie controlling from the back.

Sadiq defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Gracie's arms.

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.
Sadiq tries to escape but Gracie has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
I would not like to be Sadiq right now.
Sadiq looking very determined here, making life difficult for Gracie.
Sadiq trying to control but not successfully.

Gracie looking for the choke but no joy.

Gracie looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Sadiq is controlling Gracie 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Kron Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sadiq passes Gracie's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sadiq connects with a nice short shot to Gracie's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sadiq is controlling the pace.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Sadiq has control of the leg.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sadiq .
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie looks like he's trying to stand up.
Sadiq looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kron Gracie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Sadiq misses with a low kick.
Sadiq closes the distance and clinches up with Gracie, looking for a takedown. Sadiq pushes Gracie against the cage but Gracie circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gracie fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sadiq manages to avoid it.
Sadiq lands the left hand.
Gracie throws a predictable looking body shot

so Sadiq counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sadiq throwing strikes but missing.
Sadiq trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gracie seems to be working for a kimura but Sadiq defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is pressing down on Sadiq 's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sadiq is holding on for now.
Sadiq is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Sadiq desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Gracie trying to mount his opponent but Sadiq defends it.

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.
Sadiq is concentrating on defense, preventing Gracie from advancing position.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Sadiq is defending well.
Gracie wants to control but Sadiq is keeping him busy.
Sadiq is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Sadiq is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gracie wants to free his trapped foot but Sadiq is holding on for dear life with his legs.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sadiq half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Gracie bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sadiq 's head backwards.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Sadiq is just out of range.
Sadiq keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sadiq feinted with a counter takedown.
Sadiq tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gracie swivels and escapes.
Kron Gracie is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Gracie takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Gracie scores with a nice right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Sadiq does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sadiq attempts a counter takedown but Gracie avoids it well and moves away.
Sadiq blocks a jab.
Kron Gracie seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie misses the body punch
enabling Sadiq to counter with a crisp jab.
Sadiq shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Saad Sadiq . That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a body punch but Sadiq moves out of range.
Sadiq feinted with a counter takedown.
Sadiq shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gracie as he avoids it easily.
Gracie lands a slapping body shot.
Sadiq fails with a takedown attempt.
Saad Sadiq has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kron Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gracie manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sadiq on his heels. He'll look to pass Sadiq 's guard now, I'm sure.
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!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Sadiq is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kron Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gracie 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kron Gracie!
An out of breath Kron Gracie thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.