PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mohammad El Sayed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Markus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think El Sayed might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Stand Up by Trapt. Markus is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Faith No More - Be Aggressive. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

El Sayed
vs
Markus

178 cm
24
180 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

178 cm
25
178 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Cobra Kai Nutrition (NEW 158 OUT)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mohammad El Sayed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mark Markus!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Donatello Bradman and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
El Sayed is looking to clinch.
Mohammad El Sayed seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for El Sayed, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
El Sayed will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
El Sayed bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
El Sayed scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Markus tries to score a power double leg takedown but El Sayed sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Markus somewhat.
Markus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A combination from El Sayed does no damage.
El Sayed throws a looping overhand right but Markus ducks down to avoid it.
El Sayed lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by El Sayed.
Markus takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Markus changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. El Sayed tries to avoid it but Markus manages to keep hold of a leg and drag El Sayed to the ground. El Sayed escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mohammad El Sayed has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Markus.
El Sayed dips to his left and cracks Markus with an uppercut!
El Sayed throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Markus's head.
El Sayed misses with a two punch combination.
El Sayed misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Sayed turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Markus is trying hard to land a takedown here. El Sayed sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
El Sayed throws a head kick that misses.
Markus shoots in for a takedown but El Sayed shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
El Sayed tries to close the distance and clinch up but Markus swats him away and circles back towards the center.
El Sayed slaps away a takedown attempt from Markus, before circling back to the center of the mat.
El Sayed misses with a double jab.
El Sayed loads up on a big right hand but Markus slips the punch.
El Sayed throws a shot from downtown. Markus moves away and avoids it.
Markus keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from El Sayed.
Markus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mohammad El Sayed is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
El Sayed looks to land a combination but Markus avoids it well.
Markus closes this distance looking for a takedown but El Sayed circles away.
Markus walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
El Sayed throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Markus on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by El Sayed there.

Markus throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. El Sayed was covering up waiting for the punch and Markus finishes the takedown easily into guard.
El Sayed managing to control the position.
Markus wants to pass the guard but El Sayed is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markus chips away with some ground and pound.
El Sayed wants to stand and escape but Markus is having none of it.
El Sayed has momentary wrist control but Markus slips an elbow through the middle.
Markus throwing strikes from guard but El Sayed blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
El Sayed lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Markus circles away quickly and effectively.
El Sayed feints and then cracks Markus's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Markus down.
El Sayed works the jab nicely.

Markus drives through with a takedown into guard.
Markus postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Markus thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Markus looks gassed!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Markus accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Markus postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Markus drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and El Sayed dives on top into guard.

El Sayed gets to his feet - Markus follows without any prompting.

El Sayed clinches.
Markus takes a knee right on the jaw!
El Sayed utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markus being controlled against the cage.
El Sayed lands an elbow inside.
El Sayed lands a left hand that snaps the head of Markus backwards.

El Sayed lands a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
El Sayed would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

El Sayed gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
El Sayed goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
El Sayed throws out a powerful jab.
El Sayed ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Markus 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A decent looking body kick lands there for El Sayed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohammad El Sayed dominated that 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.

El Sayed tries a head kick but it misses.
El Sayed moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
El Sayed stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and El Sayed wants it to stay on the feet.
El Sayed misses with a looping right.
El Sayed displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Markus.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by El Sayed.
El Sayed jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
El Sayed blocks the body kick.
Markus showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from El Sayed.
El Sayed throws a hook but Markus blocks it.
Markus changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. El Sayed tries to avoid it but Markus manages to keep hold of a leg and drag El Sayed to the ground. El Sayed escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mohammad El Sayed has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Markus.
Markus misses with an attempted mid kick.
Markus takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

El Sayed gets caught flat footed, as Markus shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Markus is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Sayed is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
El Sayed is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Markus dives into side control.

Markus tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Markus has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Markus tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Markus has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
El Sayed is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Markus wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by El Sayed, who protects the arm well.

Markus tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
El Sayed keeping his opponent close.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
El Sayed throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markus takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

El Sayed has managed to clinch.
El Sayed lands a knee to the body.
El Sayed unloads a knee to the mid-section.
El Sayed putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Markus in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from El Sayed as the two fighters clinch.
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!
El Sayed lands a damaging elbow.
El Sayed with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Markus tries to score a body lock takedown but El Sayed shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A right hook to the body lands for El Sayed.
El Sayed gets underhooks to prevent Markus's takedown attempt.

El Sayed successfully pulls guard.
Markus stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. El Sayed swivels though and keeps the full guard.
El Sayed wants to stand and escape but Markus is having none of it.
Markus throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as El Sayed works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Markus wants to pass the guard but El Sayed is keeping the position.
El Sayed is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markus looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
El Sayed slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
El Sayed avoids the head kick by Markus.
Markus on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
El Sayed lands with a kick to the temple. Markus shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
El Sayed fails in his attempt to clinch.
Markus throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around El Sayed's waist but El Sayed gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Markus off to one side.
El Sayed throws a combination. Markus tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
El Sayed bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Markus on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
El Sayed misses with a head kick.
Horrible takedown by Markus or perhaps it was just good defense by El Sayed which made him look bad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohammad El Sayed dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

El Sayed rushes Markus and presses him up against the cage.
El Sayed lands an elbow inside that Markus shrugs off.
El Sayed with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
El Sayed connects with a nasty looking knee right to Markus's face.
Markus can't get the takedown.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Markus drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
El Sayed is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Markus pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Markus drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mohammad El Sayed has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Markus.
Markus takes an elbow to the temple.
Markus jumps guard but El Sayed stands there with Markus around his waist. Markus gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
El Sayed stalling the fight.
Markus takes a knee right on the jaw!
Markus tries to score a body lock takedown but El Sayed shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
El Sayed lands a nice knee to the body.
Markus is pressed up against the cage. El Sayed has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Markus down to the mat. Markus avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
El Sayed throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Markus.
Markus shoots in for a double leg but El Sayed sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Markus shoots in for a double leg but El Sayed sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from El Sayed does no damage.
El Sayed moves in looking to clinch but Markus pushes him off.
Markus fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but El Sayed avoids it really well and circles away.
El Sayed throws a head kick but Markus moves out of range.
Mohammad El Sayed is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
El Sayed dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Markus gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Markus wants to clinch up but El Sayed keeps it at a distance.
El Sayed scores with a punch to the head.
El Sayed tries to clinch up but Markus circles away and keeps his distance.
A punch combination from El Sayed misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Markus.

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.
El Sayed uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Markus has time to react.
Markus will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Markus walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
El Sayed scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

El Sayed gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
El Sayed with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
El Sayed works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

El Sayed ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. El Sayed no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Markus accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
El Sayed wants to stand and escape but Markus is having none of it.
Markus with a flurry of punches that miss.
Markus working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
El Sayed is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Markus can do to turn this around?
Markus looking to pass the guard.
Markus has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Sayed wants to stand and escape but Markus is having none of it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
El Sayed misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
El Sayed fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mohammad El Sayed is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Markus misses the body punch
and El Sayed counters with an inside leg kick.
Markus has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Markus avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
El Sayed stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and El Sayed wants it to stay on the feet.
El Sayed lands a jab-cross combination.
El Sayed throws a head kick that misses.
Markus misses with a takedown attempt
and El Sayed counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Markus takes a kick to the side of the head.
El Sayed misses with a two punch combination.
Markus takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
El Sayed throws a head kick that Markus semi-blocks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Markus.
Markus keeps the fight on the outside.
El Sayed is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mohammad El Sayed is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice uppercut lands for El Sayed. That snapped Markus's head back.
Markus fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but El Sayed avoids it really well and circles away.
Mark Markus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
El Sayed tries to clinch but Markus moves away

and Markus counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Markus.
El Sayed landing some nice looking knees to the body.
El Sayed lands with a short head shot on the inside.
El Sayed drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Markus gets the underhooks and prevents it.
El Sayed connects with a knee to the head.
El Sayed lands an elbow that stopped Markus in his tracks for a moment.
Markus wants a takedown but no success here.
El Sayed is working Markus over against the cage.

El Sayed has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Markus regains guard immediately.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mohammad El Sayed showed his dominance in that final round.
Well El Sayed has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mohammad El Sayed!