PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Samsi Oba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Farooq Al Jawad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Al Jawad has chosen Syrian National Anthem as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Farooq Al Jawad enters the cage!

Oba
vs
Al Jawad

186 cm
18
172 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

181 cm
25
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Samsi Oba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Farooq Al Jawad!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Sergei Dronov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Al Jawad decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Al Jawad sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Oba wants to improve his position but Al Jawad is controlling well.
Oba keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Al Jawad is thwarting Oba's attempts to control the position.
Oba is staying active underneath Al Jawad, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Farooq Al Jawad wasn't active enough on the ground.

Oba gets tackled into the cage by Al Jawad. Al Jawad maintains the clinch.
Oba is looking to break free of the clinch but Al Jawad has double underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Al Jawad.
Al Jawad blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Oba.
Oba trying to control the position but instead, Al Jawad has worked for underhooks and has pushed Oba into the cage.

Al Jawad breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Al Jawad clinches up against the cage.
Al Jawad slowing the pace effectively.
Al Jawad scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Oba lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Oba is trying to force a seperation but Al Jawad has the dominant position.
A nice left hand lands by Al Jawad.
Oba tries to stall but Al Jawad uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Al Jawad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Al Jawad throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Oba's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oba shoots in and drives through. Al Jawad sprawls well.
Al Jawad lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Jawad connects with a body shot.
Farooq Al Jawad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Oba tries to keep at a distance but Al Jawad has taken the fight into the clinch.
Al Jawad stalling.
A frustrated look appears on Oba's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Oba is looking to break free of the clinch but Al Jawad has double underhooks.

Al Jawad manages to pull guard.
Al Jawad keeping moving, preventing Oba from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Al Jawad can do anything to dispel that myth.

Al Jawad looking for a guillotine here but Oba defends easily.
Oba wants to control from the top but Al Jawad keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Jawad utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Al Jawad keeping moving, preventing Oba from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Samsi Oba.
Oba will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Oba shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samsi Oba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Oba is breathing heavily.
Al Jawad throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Al Jawad instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Al Jawad pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Oba has a takedown stuffed.

Al Jawad moves into the clinch.
Al Jawad working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Al Jawad is struggling to control the position.
A frustrated look appears on Oba's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Al Jawad drags the fight down to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Oba trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Jawad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Oba accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Oba preventing the sweep.
Al Jawad is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Farooq Al Jawad dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Oba shoots in for a double leg but Al Jawad sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Oba fails with a takedown attempt.

Al Jawad clinches.
Al Jawad lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Al Jawad pressing his opponent against the cage.
Oba is trying to stall.

Al Jawad pulls guard.
Al Jawad avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oba working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Oba with a flurry of punches that miss.
Al Jawad keeping moving, preventing Oba from controlling successfully.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Oba trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Jawad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al Jawad wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Al Jawad 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Al Jawad is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Samsi Oba just wasn't active enough.

Al Jawad shoots in and bounces Oba off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Oba has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Jawad working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Oba manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Al Jawad holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Oba tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oba punching from mount but Al Jawad doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Oba throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Al Jawad tries to hold on but Oba pushes him away.
Al Jawad is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oba controlling the pace for now.
Al Jawad really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Oba. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Oba misses with a head shot.
Al Jawad is trying to escape the mount.
Al Jawad avoids a series of strikes thrown by Oba.
Al Jawad wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Oba.
Oba throwing strikes here but Al Jawad is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Al Jawad wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Oba.

Oba working for a submission but Al Jawad is keeping him at bay.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oba looking to ground and pound but Al Jawad is blocking nicely.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Oba cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Al Jawad trying desperately to get to his feet.
Oba sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Samsi Oba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Oba thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oba thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Al Jawad is wriggling around trying to escape.
Oba landing punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samsi Oba dominated that second round.
That's time! Oba's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Oba fails to land with a series of punches.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Oba enables Al Jawad to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Oba manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Al Jawad stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Oba swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Oba looking for a sweep. Not yet Oba, not yet.
Oba is working hard here to advance position.
Oba lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Al Jawad!
Al Jawad is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Oba thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Oba working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Al Jawad is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Al Jawad wants to hold on but Oba pushes him away.
Al Jawad takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Al Jawad wants to try and get back to his feet.
Oba trying to control but Al Jawad is having none of it.
Al Jawad really wants to buck Oba off and get back to his feet.
Oba trying to control but Al Jawad is having none of it.
Al Jawad avoids a series of strikes thrown by Oba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oba looking to finish with strikes here!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Oba cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Oba is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Al Jawad can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Poor strikes thrown by Oba there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
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!

Oba looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Oba with shots to the head and body - Al Jawad looks very uncomfortable down there.
Oba punching from mount but Al Jawad doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oba looking to control but Al Jawad is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Al Jawad really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Oba is working for a guillotine from mount but Al Jawad frees his head quite easily.

Oba with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Oba throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Al Jawad is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oba looking to control but Al Jawad is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Oba throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Al Jawad is looking to improve his position but Oba isn't that keen on the idea.
Oba wants to control the pace but Al Jawad is squirming around nicely.

Oba with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Al Jawad is trying desperately to improve position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samsi Oba showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Oba 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samsi Oba!