PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mohammed Samir (ranked 2313 p4p, 0 weight class) and Issa Kassib (ranked 4357 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Samir
vs
Kassib

189 cm
25
180 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

183 cm
18
183 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Prefers standup

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mohammed Samir!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Issa Kassib!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Daniel Franklin and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samir throws a nice looking combination but Kassib bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kassib looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Kassib moves into the clinch successfully.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Samir as Kassib tries to tie him up.
Kassib's coach down at BAK training was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kassib's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Samir scores with a shoulder strike.
Kassib throws a knee to the head but misses.
Samir blocks an elbow strike from Kassib.
Kassib connects with a knee to the head.
Kassib misses with an elbow strike.
Kassib scores a nice knee to the body.
Samir tries to circle away but Kassib has him pinned against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kassib tries to stall but Samir uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Samir takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Mohammed Samir has been cut.
Samir blocks an elbow strike from Kassib.
A short right from Samir on the inside.
Samir wants to break free but Kassib has control.
Kassib throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samir dodges an elbow strike from Kassib.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kassib working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Samir avoids a wild elbow strike from Kassib.
Samir is trying to break the clinch but Kassib is controlling him.
Samir definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kassib using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Samir avoiding damage as Kassib throws knees to the body.
Kassib is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kassib looking to throw knees to the head but Samir is blocking nicely.
Samir blocks an elbow strike from Kassib.
Kassib pushes off an throws an elbow but Samir leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Samir tries to break free but Kassib pushes him back against the cage.
Kassib with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kassib has Samir pressed against the cage, preventing Samir from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kassib just misses with a elbow thrown towards Samir's brow.
Samir lands a left hand.
Samir is looking to break free of the clinch but Kassib has double underhooks.
Samir doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kassib looking to stall.
Kassib throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kassib trying to stall but Samir improves his position.
Samir wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kassib swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kassib misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Samir.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kassib.
Kassib keeps control of Samir as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samir lands a nice shot to the body.
Samir has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Samir wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Samir working hard to break the clinch.
Kassib tries a knee to the head but Samir blocks it.
Samir is trying to push Kassib away but Kassib has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kassib misses with a knee to the head.
Kassib throws an elbow that misses.
Samir digs a right hand into Kassib's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kassib's gas tank.
Samir blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Samir is trying to break the clinch but Kassib is controlling him.
Kassib prevents Samir from breaking the clinch.
Kassib throws an elbow but it misses.
Kassib throws an elbow that misses.
Kassib lands an elbow that stopped Samir in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kassib tries to stall but Samir uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Samir can't break the clinch.
Samir wants to break free but Kassib has control.
Kassib tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Samir blocks an elbow strike from Kassib.
Samir takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kassib keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Samir's efforts to push away.
Kassib keeps control of Samir as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Samir on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Samir lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Samir wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kassib misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kassib tries to land a knee to the head but Samir blocks with his arms.
Samir is trying to break the clinch but Kassib has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Issa Kassib dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mohammed Samir's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kassib has closed the distance and engaged Samir in a clinch.
Kassib scores a nice knee to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Samir as Kassib tries to tie him up.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Samir blocks the elbow strike.
Samir on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kassib keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Samir's efforts to push away.
Samir dodges an elbow strike from Kassib.
Samir wants to get back to striking at distance but Kassib won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samir pushes Kassib back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kassib swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kassib connects with a nasty looking knee right to Samir's face.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kassib.
Kassib with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Issa Kassib seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samir avoids a wild elbow strike from Kassib.
Samir lands an uppercut.
Samir lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kassib with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kassib is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Samir is defending well for now.
Kassib is trying to stall.
Samir wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kassib has him pressed against the cage.
Kassib fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Samir wants to get back to striking at distance but Kassib won't allow it.
Samir blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kassib throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Samir misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Samir creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Samir wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kassib prevents Samir from breaking the clinch.
Kassib landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kassib misses with a knee to the head.
Kassib creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kassib is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Samir is keeping busy.
Samir is trying to break free.
Samir tries to circle away but Kassib has him pinned against the cage.
Kassib with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kassib scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kassib landing knees to the body.
Kassib landing knees to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kassib with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kassib.
Kassib misses with a punch to the body.
Kassib tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Samir struggles to land a body shot inside as Kassib controls his hands.
Kassib lands a knee to the body.
Kassib tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Samir pushes Kassib back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Samir wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kassib has him pressed against the cage.
Kassib lands an uppercut.
Samir tries to work over Kassib's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kassib throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Samir blocks it with crossed arms.
Kassib can't find room to land a body shot as Samir controls the action.
Kassib lands an elbow that stopped Samir in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samir avoiding damage as Kassib throws knees to the body.
Samir wants to get back to striking at distance but Kassib won't allow it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kassib.
Kassib looking to throw knees to the head but Samir is blocking nicely.
Kassib lands an elbow inside.
Kassib creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
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!
Samir scores with a hook to the body.
Kassib throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kassib tries to land a knee to the head but Samir blocks with his arms.
Kassib swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kassib with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kassib misses with a knee to the head.
Samir avoids a wild elbow strike from Kassib.
Kassib is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Samir is defending well for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Issa Kassib showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mohammed Samir's cut.
That's time! Samir's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

No joy there for Samir, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Samir fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Kassib rushes Samir and presses him up against the cage.
Kassib looking to slow down the pace here.
Samir wants to break the clinch but can't.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kassib.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kassib.
Kassib has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Samir wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kassib throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samir lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kassib backwards.
Samir is trying to push Kassib away but Kassib has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Samir scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kassib stalling in the clinch but Samir improves position.
Kassib using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Samir has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kassib throws an elbow but it misses.
Samir presses Kassib against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Samir tries to break the clinch but Kassib is controlling the position.
Samir is trying to break free.
Kassib is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Samir wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kassib stalling the fight.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kassib just misses with a elbow thrown towards Samir's brow.
Samir managing to block the knees to the body from Kassib.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kassib working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Samir wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kassib has him pressed against the cage.
Samir scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samir wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kassib tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kassib holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kassib swings wildly with an uppercut but Samir uses good head movement to avoid it.
Samir lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Samir working hard to break the clinch.
Kassib lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Samir tries a body shot but Kassib blocks it.
Samir is trying to push Kassib away but Kassib has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kassib misses with a body punch.
Kassib looking to stall.
Kassib throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samir lands a shoulder strike.
Samir struggles to land a body shot inside as Kassib controls his hands.
Kassib lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Samir tries to break free but Kassib pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Samir.
Samir lands a body shot in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Samir.
Kassib is trying to maintain a safe position but Samir gets an underhook and turns Kassib into the cage.
Kassib using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Samir has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A knee to the head by Kassib.
Samir tries to break free but Kassib pushes him back against the cage.
Samir tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kassib's elbow.
Kassib trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samir pushes Kassib back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Samir on the inside.
Samir blocks an uppercut.
Kassib looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Samir misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right handed body shot lands from Samir.
Kassib struggles to land a body shot inside as Samir controls his hands.
Samir lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kassib backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Samir throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kassibs head.
Kassib has Samir pressed against the cage, preventing Samir from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kassib with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kassib looking to throw knees to the head but Samir is blocking nicely.
Samir looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mohammed Samir has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Issa Kassib is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kassib misses with an elbow over the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Issa Kassib.
I've got Kassib 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 28:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Issa Kassib!