PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Almedin Hafizovic (ranked 4701 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charles Loiseau (ranked 6745 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hafizovic
vs
Loiseau

177 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 11 - 0

177 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Almedin Hafizovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charles Loiseau!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Chad Campbell and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Hafizovic. No joy for Loiseau on that attempt.

Hafizovic scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Hafizovic stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Hafizovic pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Loiseau back to the cage. Hafizovic follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Loiseau tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hafizovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Loiseau clinches with his opponent.

Hafizovic pulls guard.
Loiseau wants to control from the top but Hafizovic keeps moving.
Loiseau pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hafizovic is keeping the position for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hafizovic wants to get back to his feet but Loiseau is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loiseau trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hafizovic's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hafizovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hafizovic is pulling down on Loiseau's head. It's preventing any offense from Loiseau, at least for the moment.
Hafizovic is trying to keep Loiseau in close.

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.
Hafizovic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Loiseau is controlling him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hafizovic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Loiseau as he jumps to the side.
Loiseau unleashes a big counter combination but Hafizovic bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Hafizovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Loiseau takes the fight into the clinch.
Loiseau has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hafizovic avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hafizovic is trying to break free.

Loiseau pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loiseau shoots in for a takedown but Hafizovic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hafizovic tries to counter by clinching up but Loiseau breaks away and moves out of range.
Almedin Hafizovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Loiseau.
Loiseau dives in for a single leg takedown but Hafizovic sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
No luck for Loiseau with that takedown attempt.
Loiseau tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hafizovic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Loiseau is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hafizovic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hafizovic shoots in and drives through. Loiseau sprawls well.
Hafizovic throws a wild body kick that Loiseau sees coming a mile off.

Hafizovic has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hafizovic wants a takedown but no success here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hafizovic.
Loiseau is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hafizovic gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Loiseau regains guard.
Loiseau looking to control.
Hafizovic is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Loiseau keeping moving, preventing Hafizovic from controlling successfully.
Loiseau looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Hafizovic puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Loiseau tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Hafizovic manages to move to mount!
Loiseau is arching his back trying to strike from the bottom but Hafizovic turns him over and now has his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hafizovic shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Loiseau counters with a slapping leg kick.
Loiseau lands a high kick!

Loiseau closes the distance and clinches.

Loiseau manages to break the clinch.
Loiseau fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Loiseau circles away from the clinch attempt.

Loiseau rushes Hafizovic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Loiseau is trying to pull guard but Hafizovic has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hafizovic breaks the clinch.
Hafizovic has a takedown stuffed.
Loiseau stuffs the takedown.
Loiseau looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Almedin Hafizovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loiseau will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Loiseau shoots in but Hafizovic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Loiseau tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice sprawl there from Loiseau as Hafizovic shoots in.
Hafizovic swinging wildly here.
Loiseau will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Loiseau blocks a head kick by Hafizovic.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Loiseau is defended easily by Hafizovic.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hafizovic feints and as Loiseau raises his hands in defense, Hafizovic changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Loiseau looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hafizovic is one step ahead there.
Loiseau keeping moving, preventing Hafizovic from controlling successfully.
Loiseau tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Loiseau escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hafizovic gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hafizovic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Loiseau is trying to hold Hafizovic in close to prevent damage but Hafizovic has managed to pass into half guard.
Hafizovic is controlling the pace.
Hafizovic seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Loiseau for as long as he can get away with.

That's four 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.

Hafizovic decides to stand and escape the position.
Nice takedown defense from Hafizovic. No joy for Loiseau on that attempt.
Hafizovic seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hafizovic closes this distance looking for a takedown but Loiseau circles away.
Loiseau tries to clinch up but Hafizovic circles away and keeps his distance.
Hafizovic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Loiseau manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hafizovic is trying hard to land a takedown here. Loiseau sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Loiseau steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hafizovic.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hafizovic throws a leg kick but Loiseau sees it coming and moves out of range.
Loiseau fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Almedin Hafizovic will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Loiseau pushes Hafizovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Loiseau letting Hafizovic take a breather here.
Loiseau prevents the takedown attempt.
Hafizovic misses with a punch to the body.
Loiseau goes for a takedown attempt but Hafizovic pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hafizovic attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Loiseau throws a counter combo.
Loiseau fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hafizovic avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Loiseau keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loiseau will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Almedin Hafizovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Loiseau.
Loiseau tries to clinch but Hafizovic moves out of range.
Loiseau throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Loiseau thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hafizovic if he has to take too many more of those.

Hafizovic gets tackled into the cage by Loiseau. Loiseau maintains the clinch.

Loiseau manages to break the clinch.
Hafizovic shoots in for a takedown but Loiseau shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Loiseau.
Hafizovic is looking to clinch but Loiseau is avoiding it.
As Hafizovic backs off Loiseau throws a huge counter combo but Hafizovic manages to avoid it all.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Loiseau.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loiseau with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hafizovic counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Loiseau thinking.

Hafizovic moves into the clinch.

Hafizovic breaks from the clinch.
Hafizovic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hafizovic seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Loiseau lands with a nice combination. Hafizovic backs away looking to recover.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Loiseau shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hafizovic counters with a series of strikes. Loiseau will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hafizovic shoots in but no luck this time.
Loiseau goes for a double leg but Hafizovic avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hafizovic continues to drive forward.
Hafizovic misses with a takedown attempt - Loiseau sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hafizovic stuffs the takedown.
A head kick misses from Hafizovic.
Hafizovic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Loiseau counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Loiseau.
Loiseau is working for takedown but Hafizovic is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hafizovic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hafizovic tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Loiseau smiles and moves away.
Hafizovic misses with an uppercut. Loiseau saw that one coming.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Loiseau, right into the meat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Loiseau.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hafizovic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Loiseau as he jumps to the side.
Almedin Hafizovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hafizovic takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Loiseau tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hafizovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hafizovic stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hafizovic wants it to stay on the feet.
Loiseau stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hafizovic.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hafizovic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Loiseau tries to avoid it but Hafizovic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Loiseau to the ground. Loiseau escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Loiseau fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hafizovic is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Loiseau.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Charles Loiseau.
I think Hafizovic 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Almedin Hafizovic!