PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Masaya Kubo (ranked 7354 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdulmalek Al Saadoun (ranked 4140 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Masaya Kubo has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kubo
vs
Al Saadoun

173 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

176 cm
25
156 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Masaya Kubo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Abdulmalek Al Saadoun!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Peter Branson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Al Saadoun looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Kubo wants to break free but Al Saadoun has control.
Kubo is trying to pull guard but Al Saadoun turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kubo throws an elbow but it misses.
Kubo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kubo prevents the takedown attempt.
Kubo tries to pull guard but Al Saadoun won't allow it.
Kubo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Al Saadoun is defending well.
Al Saadoun's coach down at Cozad The Island was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Al Saadoun's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masaya Kubo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kubo tries to score a body lock takedown but Al Saadoun shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kubo taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A frustrated look appears on Kubo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kubo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Al Saadoun prevents it.
Al Saadoun is trying to drag Kubo to the mat but Kubo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kubo manages to pull guard.

Al Saadoun got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kubo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Al Saadoun has managed to get both his arms back between Kubo's legs - danger averted.
Kubo throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Kubo working for a triangle but Al Saadoun defends it easily.

Al Saadoun avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kubo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Al Saadoun is one step ahead there.
Al Saadoun with a flurry of punches that miss.

Kubo looking for subs off his back but Al Saadoun has passed one foot through into half guard.
Kubo is trying to maintain the position but Al Saadoun is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kubo wants to get back to his feet.
Al Saadoun seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kubo trying to hold on to Al Saadoun's head to control him but Al Saadoun postures up.

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.
Kubo manages to get to full guard.
Kubo is trying to control the position but Al Saadoun postures up.
Al Saadoun prevents Kubo from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kubo is trying to keep Al Saadoun in close.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kubo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Al Saadoun defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masaya Kubo dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kubo tries for a takedown but Al Saadoun sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Al Saadoun looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kubo wants to sweep but no luck.
Al Saadoun postures up.
Kubo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kubo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kubo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Al Saadoun is aware though and is defending well.
Kubo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Al Saadoun trying to control the position from guard on top but Kubo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubo is trying to control the position but Al Saadoun postures up.
Al Saadoun pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kubo is keeping the position for now.
Kubo working a defensive guard here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kubo is defended easily by Al Saadoun.
Kubo plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kubo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Al Saadoun but Al Saadoun pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masaya Kubo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Saadoun lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kubo scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kubo is looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Saadoun has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kubo wants a takedown but no success here.

Al Saadoun has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kubo uses from the top position.
Kubo preventing the sweep.
Al Saadoun is still trying to improve position.
Masaya Kubo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Al Saadoun wants to hit a switch here but Kubo passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Al Saadoun there!
Al Saadoun manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kubo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kubo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Al Saadoun blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kubo.
Kubo tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Al Saadoun.
Al Saadoun trying to control but Kubo postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kubo is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Abdulmalek Al Saadoun will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kubo drives through and clinches with Al Saadoun against the cage.
Al Saadoun with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kubo is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kubo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Kubo jumps guard.
Al Saadoun works a leg free and moves into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kubo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Al Saadoun working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubo doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kubo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Al Saadoun is looking for a sweep. Kubo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Al Saadoun is not content to let Kubo control the position.
Al Saadoun is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kubo tries to pass the half guard into mount. Al Saadoun knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kubo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kubo is keen to just control but Al Saadoun is a slippery customer.
Al Saadoun wants to improve his position but Kubo is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kubo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Al Saadoun defends it well.
Al Saadoun wants to improve his position but Kubo is controlling well.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Saadoun trying to control from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Kubo forces Al Saadoun back against the cage and clinches.
Al Saadoun keeps control of Kubo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kubo tries to score a body lock takedown but Al Saadoun shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Masaya Kubo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kubo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kubo trying to control the position but instead, Al Saadoun has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kubo into the cage.

That's four 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.
A short right from Al Saadoun.
Kubo wants to break free but Al Saadoun has control.
Al Saadoun fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kubo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Al Saadoun avoiding damage as Kubo throws knees to the body.
Kubo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Saadoun tries to break the clinch but Kubo is controlling the position.
Al Saadoun gets underhooks to prevent Kubo's takedown attempt.
Kubo is trying to maintain a safe position but Al Saadoun gets an underhook and turns Kubo into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masaya Kubo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kubo 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masaya Kubo!