PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad (ranked 5357 p4p, 0 weight class) and Florentine Amuneke (ranked 2621 p4p, 0 weight class). Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mohammed Al Haddad
vs
Amuneke

180 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

186 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

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 2 - 4 - 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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Florentine Amuneke!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Bruno Lombardi and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Al Haddad closes the distance and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Amuneke's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Al Haddad misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Al Haddad looking to throw knees to the head but Amuneke is blocking nicely.
Al Haddad tries a knee to the head but Amuneke blocks it.
Amuneke is looking to control Al Haddad's arms but Al Haddad gets an underhook and turns him. Now Amuneke has his back to the cage.

Al Haddad breaks from the clinch.
Amuneke shoots in looking for a takedown. Al Haddad tries to sprawl out of it but Amuneke keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Al Haddad manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Al Haddad throws a head kick but Amuneke moves out of range.
Amuneke shoots in but no luck this time.
Amuneke wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Amuneke looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Florentine Amuneke.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Haddad tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Amuneke defends well and Al Haddad ends up having to push Amuneke into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Al Haddad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Amuneke defends it nicely.
Amuneke looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Haddad leaves Amuneke with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Amuneke lands with a kick to the temple. Al Haddad shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Al Haddad looks to land a combination but Amuneke avoids it well.
Amuneke closes the distance and clinches up with Al Haddad, looking for a takedown. Amuneke pushes Al Haddad against the cage but Al Haddad circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Amuneke fails with a takedown attempt.

Al Haddad instigates a clinch.
Amuneke tries for a takedown but Al Haddad manages to get underhooks.
Al Haddad pressing his opponent against the cage.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amuneke 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.
Amuneke looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Al Haddad is fending him off so far but Amuneke persists. Nope, Al Haddad circles away and we're back to standing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Al Haddad.
Amuneke is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Al Haddad shoots for a double leg takedown but Amuneke sprawls well. He's pushed Al Haddad's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Amuneke connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Al Haddad momentarily.
Amuneke throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Amuneke is trying hard to land a takedown here. Al Haddad sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Amuneke looks winded!
Al Haddad looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Amuneke is fending him off so far but Al Haddad persists. Nope, Amuneke circles away and we're back to standing.
Al Haddad shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Amuneke sprawls well. Amuneke wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Al Haddad gets slowly back to his feet.
Al Haddad gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Amuneke counters with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amuneke wants to clinch.
Al Haddad keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Amuneke shoots in for a takedown but Al Haddad shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Al Haddad fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Al Haddad tries to score a power double leg takedown but Amuneke sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Al Haddad somewhat.
Al Haddad throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Amuneke swats away the attempt to clinch by Al Haddad.
Amuneke throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Al Haddad's waist but Al Haddad gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Amuneke off to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Amuneke fails in his attempt to clinch.
Amuneke tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

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

Al Haddad breaks the clinch.
Amuneke lands a nice looking kick to the body. Al Haddad takes a step back to recover.

Al Haddad clinches up against the cage.
Amuneke letting Al Haddad take a breather here.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch.
Amuneke is looking to clinch but Al Haddad is avoiding it.

Amuneke tries to keep at a distance but Al Haddad has taken the fight into the clinch.

Al Haddad jumps guard and drags Amuneke to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Amuneke drops back looking for a leg! Al Haddad is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Al Haddad manages to kick Amuneke off! Amuneke jumps back into Al Haddad's guard.
Amuneke sitting in guard, not really doing much.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Amuneke checks a leg kick nicely.
Al Haddad shoots for a takedown but Amuneke saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Al Haddad as Amuneke shoots in.
Amuneke displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad shoots for a double leg takedown but Amuneke sprawls well. He's pushed Al Haddad's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
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 with a poor takedown
and Amuneke counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Amuneke pushes Al Haddad up against the cage in a clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Amuneke takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Amuneke wants to take the fight to the mat but Al Haddad manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Amuneke pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Amuneke pulls guard effortlessly.
Amuneke tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Al Haddad knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Amuneke on the ground.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Al Haddad is looking to work some ground and pound but Amuneke has wrist control.
Amuneke is trying to control the position but Al Haddad postures up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amuneke working a defensive guard but Al Haddad manages to pass into side control anyway.

Al Haddad wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Amuneke, who protects the arm well.
Amuneke wants to control but Al Haddad postures up.
Amuneke is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Amuneke is trying to control Al Haddad's posture but Al Haddad avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Al Haddad tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Al Haddad wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Amuneke, who protects the arm well.

Al Haddad is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Amuneke knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amuneke wants to get back to his feet but Al Haddad drags him back down.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Al Haddad tries to clinch but Amuneke moves out of range.
Florentine Amuneke seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A head kick by Al Haddad misses
and Amuneke counters with a two punch combo.
Al Haddad looks for the body kick but Amuneke saw that one coming.
Amuneke wants to counter with a clinch but Al Haddad pushes him away.
Al Haddad avoids a kick to the body.
Al Haddad is looking to clinch but Amuneke is avoiding it.
Amuneke shoots in looking for a takedown but Al Haddad manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Amuneke's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice sprawl there from Amuneke as Al Haddad shoots in.
Al Haddad looks to land a body kick but Amuneke moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Amuneke pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Amuneke wants to clinch up but Al Haddad keeps it at a distance.
Al Haddad is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Amuneke or perhaps it was just good defense by Al Haddad, which made it look bad.
Amuneke shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Al Haddad as he jumps to the side.

Al Haddad instigates a clinch.
Amuneke can't break the clinch.
Amuneke changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Al Haddad fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Haddad shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Amuneke sprawls well. Amuneke wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Al Haddad gets slowly back to his feet.
Al Haddad fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Florentine Amuneke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Al Haddad blocks a head kick by Amuneke.
Al Haddad misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Amuneke counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Amuneke shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Al Haddad defends it nicely.
Al Haddad dives in and grabs Amuneke's left leg, looking for a takedown. Amuneke pushes down on Al Haddad's head and hops out.
Najmeddine Mohammed Al Haddad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Al Haddad has managed to clinch.
Al Haddad jumps guard but Amuneke stands there with Al Haddad around his waist. Al Haddad gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Al Haddad.
Amuneke changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Al Haddad fights it off and pushes away nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Al Haddad instigates a clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Al Haddad is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Amuneke gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
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 tries to pull guard but Amuneke forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amuneke has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Al Haddad avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Amuneke successfully pulls guard.
Amuneke is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Amuneke pulls Al Haddad in close to prevent any damage.
Amuneke looking to hit a scissor sweep but Al Haddad is one step ahead there.
Amuneke keeps trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Al Haddad throws an elbow that misses. Amuneke uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Al Haddad's guard. Nice move by Amuneke!

Amuneke throws a big right hand that misses.
Al Haddad tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Amuneke postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Al Haddad wants to sweep here but Amuneke controlling him for the moment.
Al Haddad is trying to control the position but Amuneke postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amuneke trying to control but Al Haddad is working from the bottom.
Al Haddad managing to control the position.
Amuneke is pushing down on Al Haddad's leg trying to pass to half guard. Al Haddad is fighting to maintain full guard but Amuneke has managed to sneak the leg through.
Al Haddad is trying to control but can't.
Amuneke wants to take a breather but Al Haddad is having none of it.
Amuneke is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Al Haddad is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Amuneke pulls his head out easily.

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.
Al Haddad tries to kick Amuneke off but Amuneke keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

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

Al Haddad clinches up against the cage.
Amuneke goes for a takedown attempt but Al Haddad pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Al Haddad shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Amuneke as he avoids it easily.
Amuneke tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Al Haddad swivels and escapes.

Al Haddad closes the distance and pushes Amuneke back into the cage.
Al Haddad fails to pull guard.
Al Haddad is trying to pull guard but Amuneke has him pressed against the cage.
Amuneke tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Al Haddad just stands there and leans against the cage.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Amuneke goes for a double leg but Al Haddad avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Al Haddad continues to drive forward.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Haddad tries for a takedown but Amuneke sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Amuneke shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Al Haddad as he avoids it easily.
Amuneke stalks Al Haddad and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Al Haddad's face. Al Haddad staggers backwards, shaken.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Florentine Amuneke.
I think Amuneke 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Florentine Amuneke!