PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Khalid Abdullah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hashim Al Hassan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hashim Al Hassan is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Abdullah
vs
Al Hassan

180 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
193 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Khalid Abdullah!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hashim Al Hassan!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Hassan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Abdullah circles away.
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown but Al Hassan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Abdullah misses with a takedown attempt
and Al Hassan counters with a series of strikes. Abdullah will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hashim Al Hassan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abdullah is trying hard to land a takedown here. Al Hassan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khalid Abdullah. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Hassan cracks Abdullah with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Al Hassan's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Al Hassan duly obliges.
Al Hassan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Al Hassan wants it to stay on the feet.
Abdullah moves out of range of the body kick.
Al Hassan lands a nice looking body shot.
Abdullah slips a jab and a cross from Al Hassan.
Al Hassan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Al Hassan swats away the attempt to clinch by Abdullah.
Abdullah fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Hassan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Abdullah.
Abdullah ducks right into an uppercut from Al Hassan.
Abdullah will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Al Hassan doesn't manage to clinch there - Abdullah circles away.
Al Hassan misses with a double jab.
Al Hassan connects with a crisp jab.
Abdullah misses with a takedown attempt
and Al Hassan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Al Hassan stuffs the takedown.
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get 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.
Al Hassan lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Al Hassan lands a jab to the head.
Abdullah walks into a stiff left hand from Al Hassan.
Al Hassan lunges at Abdullah with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Abdullah's hand.
No joy there for Al Hassan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Al Hassan throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Al Hassan throws a one two combo.
Al Hassan scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Al Hassan misses with a double jab.
Abdullah closes the distance and clinches up with Al Hassan, looking for a takedown. Abdullah pushes Al Hassan against the cage but Al Hassan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Abdullah is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Hassan looks to land a combination but Abdullah avoids it well.
Abdullah fails to land the takedown.
Abdullah takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Abdullah is looking to clinch.
Al Hassan connects with a good right hand that stumbles Abdullah. Abdullah circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Abdullah tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Al Hassan swivels and escapes.
Al Hassan is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Abdullah had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Abdullah showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Al Hassan.
Abdullah takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Abdullah shoots for a double leg takedown but Al Hassan sprawls well. He's pushed Abdullah's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Abdullah is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Al Hassan pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Abdullah keeps control of Al Hassan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Al Hassan tries to circle away but Abdullah has him pinned against the cage.
Abdullah is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Al Hassan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Abdullah wants a takedown but no success here.
Abdullah is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Al Hassan is looking to break free of the clinch but Abdullah has double underhooks.
Al Hassan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Abdullah pulls him back up using the underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hashim Al Hassan dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Al Hassan displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Al Hassan throws a series of punches but Abdullah moves out of range.
Al Hassan throws a series of punches but Abdullah moves out of range.

Abdullah clinches up with Al Hassan and pushes him back against the cage.
Al Hassan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Abdullah.
Al Hassan can't break the clinch.
Al Hassan has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Abdullah pulls Al Hassan into guard.
Al Hassan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Abdullah is keeping the position for now.
Abdullah controls Al Hassan momentarily but Al Hassan frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Hassan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Al Hassan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Al Hassan stays in close to Abdullah's body and controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Hassan trying to stand up but can't free himself from Abdullah's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Al Hassan lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Some wild striking there from Al Hassan.
Abdullah checks a low kick from Al Hassan.
Al Hassan throws a series of punches but Abdullah avoids them all with ease.
Al Hassan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Abdullah moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Abdullah is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Al Hassan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Al Hassan. That snapped Abdullah's head back.
Abdullah avoids a punch combination nicely.
Al Hassan lunges at Abdullah with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Abdullah's hand.
Abdullah tries for a takedown but Al Hassan circles away easily
and Al Hassan counters with a left and a right that stings Abdullah.
Abdullah shoots in but Al Hassan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khalid Abdullah. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Hassan fails to land with a series of punches.
An inside leg kick from Al Hassan misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Abdullah tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Al Hassan swivels and escapes.
Al Hassan connects with a single shot there.
Al Hassan tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Abdullah counters by clinching up.
Abdullah looking for a takedown.
Abdullah is trying to drag Al Hassan to the mat but Al Hassan just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Abdullah looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Abdullah breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hashim Al Hassan 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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Al Hassan throws a series of punches but Abdullah moves out of range.
Al Hassan tries to bum rush Abdullah with a series of wild strikes but Abdullah uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Al Hassan clinches up with Abdullah and pushes him back against the cage.
Abdullah drops down looking for an ankle pick but Al Hassan pulls his leg out and moves away.
Al Hassan lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Abdullah backs up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown by Abdullah or perhaps it was just good defense by Al Hassan which made him look bad.
Abdullah throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Al Hassan's waist but Al Hassan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Abdullah off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khalid Abdullah. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Hassan wants to clinch.
Al Hassan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Al Hassan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Al Hassan misses with the combination.
Abdullah tries to clinch up.
Al Hassan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Al Hassan moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Al Hassan misses with a two punch combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Al Hassan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Horrible takedown by Al Hassan or perhaps it was just good defense by Abdullah which made him look bad.
Abdullah avoids a punch combination nicely.
Abdullah has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A right-left combo lands from Al Hassan.
Al Hassan lands with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Hassan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Al Hassan misses with a double jab.
Abdullah tries to score a power double leg takedown but Al Hassan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Abdullah somewhat.
Khalid Abdullah is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Al Hassan misses with a wild combination.
Al Hassan scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Al Hassan as he avoids it easily.
Al Hassan wants to clinch up but Abdullah keeps it at a distance.
Hashim Al Hassan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Al Hassan scores with a jab.
Abdullah doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Al Hassan counters with a straight right hand.
Abdullah shoots in looking for a takedown. Al Hassan tries to sprawl out of it but Abdullah keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Al Hassan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Al Hassan throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Khalid Abdullah has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Hassan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Abdullah counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Abdullah jumps guard but Al Hassan stands there with Abdullah around his waist. Abdullah gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Al Hassan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hashim Al Hassan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Al Hassan winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hashim Al Hassan!