PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mookie Magaba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sadiq Hossein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Magaba's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Three Days Grace - Animal I Have Become . Sadiq Hossein has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Mookie Magaba's chin.

Magaba
vs
Hossein

171 cm
37
146 lbs
21 - 15 - 0

170 cm
42
148 lbs
43 - 33 - 6

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mookie Magaba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 43 - 33 - 6, fighting out of New York, Sadiq Hossein!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Paul Tew and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hossein stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hossein wants it to stay on the feet.
Hossein ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hossein swings for the body but Magaba moves out of range.
A lazy left from Magaba finds it's target.
Hossein misses the shot to the body.
Hossein digs a good body shot into Magaba's ribs.
Magaba closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hossein circles away.
Hossein just misses with a punch to the body.
Hossein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Magaba was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Magaba misses with a takedown attempt - Hossein sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mookie Magaba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Magaba fails to land with a series of punches.
Hossein let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Magaba throws a right and a left that Hossein avoids nicely.
Hossein misses the shot to the body.
Magaba tries to counter with a takedown but Hossein is quick to defend against it.
Magaba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A shot to the liver by Hossein. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magaba takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hossein digs a good hook to Magaba's body.
A combination from Magaba does no damage.
Hossein throws out a counter right but Magaba avoids it with no problem.
Magaba throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sadiq Hossein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Magaba misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Good standup being displayed there by Hossein as he connects with a hook.
Hossein lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hossein throws an overhand right that lands on Magaba's shoulder, as Magaba tries to avoid the shot.
Hossein is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Magaba rather than just go for the knockout.
Hossein will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Magaba drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hossein sprawls and moves away.
Hossein lands a right hook to the body.
Hossein misses the body punch
and Magaba counters with a one-two to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Magaba misses with a double jab.
Hossein cracks a nice hook into Magaba's ribs.
Hossein throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Magaba stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hossein with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hossein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Magaba throws a shot to the body.
Magaba tries to clinch but Hossein moves out of range.
Hossein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Magaba went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Magaba throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hossein's waist but Hossein gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Magaba off to one side.
Hossein misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hossein misses with a wild body shot.
Hossein just misses with a punch to the body.
Hossein misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hossein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Magaba.
Magaba attempts a counter takedown but Hossein avoids it well and moves away.
A nice combination there by Magaba.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magaba ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hossein lands a jab to Magaba's midsection.
Magaba ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hossein lands a jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Magaba looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hossein just misses with a punch to the body.
Hossein misses with a hook. Magaba ducked under it nicely.
Hossein throws a lazy right hand but Magaba sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hossein throws a shot to the body.
Hossein scores with a jab to the body.
Magaba takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hossein will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hossein throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Magaba tries to counter with a takedown but Hossein is quick to defend against it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hossein ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Magaba tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hossein swivels and escapes.
Hossein takes a swing at Magaba's ribcage but misses.
Magaba changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
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!
Hossein misses with a series of wild punches.
Magaba half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hossein throws a leg kick that is checked

and Magaba counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Magaba.
Magaba passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Magaba scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Hossein to see if he's OK.
Hossein sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Magaba is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hossein doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Magaba.

Magaba is working for a kimura but Hossein is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sadiq Hossein dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hossein just misses with a punch to the body.
Magaba throws a series of punches but Hossein avoids them all with ease.
Hossein has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hossein throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hossein throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Magaba stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hossein throws a chopping leg kick but Magaba manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Magaba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hossein misses with a body shot.
Hossein swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A combination from Magaba does no damage.

Magaba bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Magaba creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Hossein sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Magaba 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.

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

Magaba thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hossein tries to bench press Magaba off him but Magaba keeps the position.

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

Magaba swings around for an armbar but Hossein sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Magaba's guard.
Magaba lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hossein keeping full guard, as Magaba tries to pass.
Magaba loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Magaba looking to pass the guard.
Magaba preventing the sweep.

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

Magaba has gone for a leg lock! Hossein slips out almost immediately though and dives into Magaba's guard.

Magaba looking for a guillotine here but Hossein defends easily.
Magaba looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hossein is one step ahead there.

Magaba looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mookie Magaba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hossein avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Magaba manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hossein manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magaba forces his way into half guard.

Magaba is looking for submissions but instead, Hossein has regained full guard.
Hossein is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hossein seems to be looking for submissions.
Magaba wants to get back to full guard.
Hossein controlling the action here.

Hossein is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Magaba defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magaba wants to get back to full guard.

Hossein is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Magaba sees it coming and defends easily.

Hossein looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Magaba tries to get to full guard but Hossein has control of the leg.
Magaba manages to get to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Magaba looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Magaba looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Hossein puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
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 Mookie Magaba will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Magaba lands a jab-cross combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hossein. Magaba does a little dance to reset his feet.
A cross from Magaba lands.
Magaba closes the distance and clinches up with Hossein, looking for a takedown. Magaba pushes Hossein against the cage but Hossein circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hossein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Magaba manages to avoid it.
Hossein connects with a body shot that sends Magaba's belly button to the back.
Hossein takes a swing at Magaba's ribcage but misses.
Magaba is looking for a counter combo.
Hossein lands with a good body shot.
Hossein displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Magaba.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hossein. Magaba does a little dance to reset his feet.
Magaba misses with a double jab
and Hossein counters with an inside leg kick.
Magaba shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hossein pinned against the cage. Hossein gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mookie Magaba. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Hossein as he connects with a hook.
Hossein misses with a body shot.
Hossein lands a nice hook to Magaba's body. Magaba takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hossein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Magaba moves away.
Both fighters circling a little - Hossein finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Hossein throws a body shot but no joy.
Magaba blocks the body kick.
Hossein throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sadiq Hossein is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hossein moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Magaba is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hossein's half guard.

Magaba is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Magaba is looking for a kimura but Hossein is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Magaba to get the leverage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Magaba lands a nice short elbow.
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!
Magaba with the ground and pound but Hossein uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Magaba looking to pass the guard.
Hossein looking for a sweep. Not yet Hossein, not yet.

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

Hossein passes into half guard.
Magaba is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hossein's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hossein's back!
Magaba punches the canvas rather than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magaba has the hooks in. Hossein is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Magaba is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Magaba is trying to stick to Hossein's back but Hossein is turning into Magaba. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Magaba's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Hossein.
Magaba wants to sweep here but Hossein controlling him for the moment.
Hossein stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Magaba swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Magaba looking for a guillotine here but Hossein defends easily.

Hossein gets to his feet - Magaba follows without any prompting.
Hossein throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Magaba stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magaba uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hossein.
Hossein misses with a series of wild punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hossein. Magaba does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hossein. That's going to slow Magaba down.
Hossein throws a shot to the body.
Magaba uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hossein.
Hossein throws a right and a left that both miss.
Magaba throws a right and a left that Hossein avoids nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hossein throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hossein!
Magaba will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hossein misses with a body punch
and Magaba counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sadiq Hossein comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hossein 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 28:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sadiq Hossein!
During a confident post fight interview, Sadiq Hossein thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.