PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Youssef Kassim (ranked 5189 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Svensson (ranked 7835 p4p, 0 weight class). Martin Svensson has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kassim
vs
Svensson

180 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

187 cm
25
158 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Youssef Kassim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Martin Svensson!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Peter Branson and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Svensson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
It looked like Kassim was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Kassim slaps away a takedown attempt from Svensson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Svensson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Svensson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kassim eats them both and turns towards Svensson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Kassim shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Svensson as he avoids it easily.
A good leg kick by Kassim.
Kassim looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kassim stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kassim wants it to stay on the feet.
Youssef Kassim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Svensson.
Kassim will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Svensson slips a jab from Kassim.
Svensson throws a head kick that misses

and Kassim counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson tries to score a body lock takedown but Kassim shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Svensson jumps guard but Kassim stands there with Svensson around his waist. Svensson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kassim keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Svensson's efforts to push away.
Kassim content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kassim lands an elbow just above Svensson 's eye.

Kassim manages to break the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Svensson.

Kassim gets a clinch.
Svensson is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kassim prevents Svensson from breaking the clinch.

Kassim's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kassim rushes Svensson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kassim is working for takedown but Svensson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kassim stalls.

Kassim breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Svensson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kassim sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kassim throws a nice head kick!

Kassim gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kassim is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Svensson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kassim looking for a takedown.
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!
Kassim content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Kassim.

It looks like Martin Svensson has been cut.
Kassim tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Svensson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kassim fails to pull guard.
Svensson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kassim landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Svensson just leaning against Kassim, taking a breather.
Kassim tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Svensson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Svensson is pressed up against the cage. Kassim has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Svensson down to the mat. Svensson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Svensson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kassim counters with a three punch combo that has Svensson backing up. Svensson nods at Kassim to acknowledge the strikes.
Kassim is breathing heavily.

Kassim has managed to clinch.

Kassim manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kassim blocks a low kick nicely.
Kassim looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Svensson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Kassim closes the distance and pushes Svensson back into the cage.
Kassim wants to take the fight to the mat but Svensson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Svensson tries for a takedown but Kassim manages to get underhooks.
Stalling in the clinch from Kassim.
Kassim drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Svensson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kassim jumps guard but Svensson stands there with Kassim around his waist. Kassim gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kassim is looking to break free of the clinch but Svensson has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Youssef Kassim dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Martin Svensson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Svensson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kassim swivels and escapes.

Kassim clinches with his opponent.
Youssef Kassim has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Svensson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Svensson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Youssef Kassim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Svensson.
Kassim drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A bit of stalling here from Kassim.
Svensson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kassim just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kassim is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Svensson can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kassim's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Youssef Kassim is winning the standup battle so far.
Kassim keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Svensson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kassim fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Svensson, pushing him back against the cage.

Svensson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kassim is looking to clinch but Svensson is avoiding it.
As Kassim backs off Svensson throws a huge counter combo but Kassim manages to avoid it all.
Kassim shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Svensson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Svensson wants it to stay on the feet.

Kassim clinches up with Svensson and pushes him back against the cage.

Kassim's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Svensson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kassim sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Svensson somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kassim misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kassim looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Svensson misses with a takedown attempt
and Kassim counters with an outside leg kick.
Kassim stuffs the takedown.
Svensson is breathing heavily.
Kassim throws a series of punches but Svensson avoids them all with ease.
Kassim tries to clinch up.
Kassim defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Svensson.
Svensson throws a head kick that misses.
Svensson fails with a takedown attempt.

Kassim has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kassim lands a knee to the head.
Kassim just leaning against Svensson, taking a breather.

Kassim is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Svensson can't fight it off and eventually Kassim manages to take the fight to the floor. Svensson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kassim sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kassim pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Svensson is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svensson is pulling down on Kassim's head. It's preventing any offense from Kassim, at least for the moment.
Kassim stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Svensson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Svensson is trying to keep Kassim in close.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kassim is fighting to break Svensson's control of his arms but Svensson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Svensson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Youssef Kassim dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Martin Svensson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kassim clinches up against the cage.
Svensson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Svensson letting Kassim take a breather here.

Kassim ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kassim no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Svensson stopping the sweep attempt from Kassim.
Kassim wants to control the position but Svensson says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Svensson tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kassim manages to get to full guard.
Svensson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Svensson content to stall in guard here.

Svensson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Svensson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kassim not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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.
Kassim keeping moving, preventing Svensson from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kassim throws a head kick that half lands.
Kassim tries to clinch but Svensson is having none of it.
Svensson shoots in looking for a takedown but Kassim manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Svensson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kassim pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kassim darts in looking for a takedown but Svensson gets double underhooks and turns Kassim into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kassim avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Svensson stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svensson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kassim.
Kassim checks the leg kick nicely there.
Svensson throws a low kick but Kassim moves out of range easily.
Kassim drops down looking for a counter takedown but Svensson sprawls and moves away.
Svensson has his takedown stuffed
and Kassim counters with a left and a right that stings Svensson.
Svensson tries to clinch up.
Kassim drops down looking for a counter takedown but Svensson sprawls and moves away.
Svensson has his takedown stuffed
enabling Kassim to counter with a crisp jab.
Youssef Kassim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Svensson.

Kassim moves into the clinch successfully.
Kassim just leaning against Svensson, taking a breather.
Kassim tries to pull guard but Svensson won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kassim tries to pull guard but Svensson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Svensson swings wildly with an uppercut but Kassim uses good head movement to avoid it.
Svensson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kassim to keep the fight standing.
Svensson tries a knee to the head but Kassim blocks it.

Kassim breaks the clinch.
Kassim is looking to clinch but Svensson is avoiding it.
Svensson feints the counter takedown.
Svensson shoots in for a takedown but Kassim shows good takedown defense.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kassim circles away from the clinch attempt.
Svensson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Martin Svensson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Youssef Kassim is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Kassim clinches up with Svensson and pushes him back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Youssef Kassim showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kassim has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Youssef Kassim!