PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jacque Joteel (ranked 14 p4p, 65 weight class) and Zaid Al Balushi (ranked 2 p4p, 8 weight class). Joteel's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Moogwalze. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Joteel
vs
Al Balushi

175 cm
34
166
29 - 14 - 1

180 cm
33
155
18 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Voodoo Nutrition
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jacque Joteel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zaid Al Balushi!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Balushi throws an overhand right that lands on Joteel's shoulder, as Joteel tries to avoid the shot.
Joteel has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Chakuriki LA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
A lazy left from Al Balushi finds it's target.
Al Balushi jabs at Joteel's body.
Joteel throws a right hand that misses
and Al Balushi counters with a low kick, right behind Joteel 's knee.
Al Balushi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Al Balushi throws a nice inside leg kick.
That kick from Al Balushi tenderised Joteel's leg. Joteel is trying to keep his angry face on.
Joteel throws a leg kick
and Al Balushi counters with an outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Balushi lands with a hook. Joteel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Joteel slips under a jab.
Joteel dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Al Balushi. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joteel missing with a left hand there. Al Balushi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A solid leg kick lands there for Al Balushi.
Al Balushi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Joteel lands an overhand right.
Al Balushi with a jab.
Joteel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Al Balushi connects with a solid leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Al Balushi.
Joteel wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Joteel misses with a head kick.
Al Balushi slips a jab from Joteel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joteel looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
That kick from Al Balushi tenderised Joteel's leg. Joteel is trying to keep his angry face on.
Joteel wants to slow Al Balushi down by chopping away at his legs.
Joteel checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Al Balushi throws out a loose jab but Joteel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Al Balushi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Joteel darts in trying to clinch
and Al Balushi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Joteel scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Al Balushi doesn't seem bothered though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Joteel.
Joteel connects with an inside leg kick.
Joteel takes one to the chin there.
A low kick from Al Balushi is predictable there
and Joteel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Al Balushi throws out a loose jab but Joteel uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick step to the side and Joteel tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Joteel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Al Balushi looks for the body kick but Joteel saw that one coming.
Al Balushi slips a jab from Joteel.
Al Balushi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick which misses Joteel's front leg but catches the back leg as Joteel tries to avoid it.
Joteel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Joteel throwing a counter right hand but Al Balushi manages to avoid it.
A jab lands there for Al Balushi.

Joteel clinches up against the cage.
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!
Al Balushi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Joteel avoids it.
Joteel misses with a punch to the body.
Al Balushi lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Jacque Joteel has been cut.
Joteel lands a nice uppercut.
Al Balushi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Joteel's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Joteel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Joteel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Joteel lands a nice uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi blocks a body shot from Joteel.

Al Balushi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Joteel chopping away at his opponent's legs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zaid Al Balushi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jacque Joteel's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Al Balushi with a hook.
Al Balushi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Al Balushi misses with an uppercut. Joteel saw that one coming.
Al Balushi throws an overhand right that lands on Joteel's shoulder, as Joteel tries to avoid the shot.
A jab from Joteel does it's job there.
Joteel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Joteel tries to clinch but Al Balushi is having none of it.
Joteel jabs Al Balushi right on the nose. Al Balushi blinks but takes it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick that is checked

and Joteel counters with a crisp right hand that drops Al Balushi! Joteel lets Al Balushi back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Al Balushi is rocked!

It looks like Zaid Al Balushi has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joteel looks to land a right hand but Al Balushi moved out of range.
Al Balushi is still on wobbly legs! Can Joteel finish him?
Joteel throws a front kick aimed at Al Balushi's knee but Al Balushi avoids it well.
Joteel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Joteel misses with a jab to the body
and Joteel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joteel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Al Balushi throws a low kick but Joteel avoids it.
Al Balushi throws a hook but Joteel avoids it easily.
Joteel seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Joteel throws a head kick that misses.
Al Balushi seems to have recovered his senses.
Al Balushi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Joteel walks into a stiff left hand from Al Balushi.
Joteel scores with a jab.
Joteel misses with a low kick.
Al Balushi throws out a leg kick but Joteel moves out of range and Al Balushi only half commits.
Joteel is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A clash of legs there as Joteel blocks the low kick.
Good work by Joteel as he checks the leg kick.
Al Balushi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joteel misses with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a leg kick.
Joteel throws a chopping leg kick but Al Balushi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Joteel backing away here, and Al Balushi unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Al Balushi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice uppercut lands for Al Balushi. That snapped Joteel's head back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Balushi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Joteel pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Al Balushi wants to counter the offense by Joteel and move into the clinch position.
Al Balushi misses with a low kick as Joteel jumps back.
Al Balushi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Joteel.
Al Balushi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Joteel lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi walks into a left hand.
Al Balushi scores with a nice body kick.
Joteel tries to bum rush Al Balushi with a series of wild strikes but Al Balushi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Al Balushi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Joteel under the eye.
Al Balushi lands with a nice body punch.
Joteel lands a nice leg kick that just misses Al Balushi's sensitive parts.
Joteel throws a leg kick which misses Al Balushi's front leg but catches the back leg as Al Balushi tries to avoid it.
Joteel on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Al Balushi wants to land a leg kick but Joteel is out of range.
Joteel dips to his left and cracks Al Balushi with an uppercut!
Zaid Al Balushi seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joteel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Al Balushi.
Al Balushi follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Joteel crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Al Balushi - the referee stops the clock and Joteel gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Al Balushi. Joteel manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joteel misses with a looping left.
A low kick from Joteel misses
and Al Balushi counters with a nice uppercut.
Joteel throws an off balance right hand
and Al Balushi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Joteel lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Al Balushi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Al Balushi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Al Balushi only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Al Balushi connects with a leg kick.
Al Balushi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Joteel.
Joteel throws an off balance right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a stiff right hand.
Al Balushi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Joteel is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Al Balushi.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacque Joteel dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Al Balushi tries to keep at a distance but Joteel has taken the fight into the clinch.
Al Balushi lands an elbow inside.
A short right from Al Balushi on the inside.
Al Balushi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Joteel lands a left hand.

Al Balushi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Joteel tries a head kick but it misses.
Joteel backing away here, and Al Balushi unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Nice defenses there by Joteel.
Joteel scores with a sloppy right hand. Al Balushi should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joteel on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Joteel clinches.
Al Balushi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Joteel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jacque Joteel has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Joteel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
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!
A head punch on the inside from Joteel fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Balushi can't find room to land a body shot as Joteel controls the action.
Joteel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Al Balushi has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Joteel seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Al Balushi can turn it around.
A short right from Al Balushi.
Joteel lands a right hand.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Joteel creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Al Balushi looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Al Balushi tries a body shot but Joteel blocks it.
Joteel tries a body shot but Al Balushi blocks it.
Al Balushi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Joteel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Joteel misses with a punch on the inside.
Joteel avoiding damage as Al Balushi throws knees to the body.
Joteel prevents a body shot from Al Balushi.
Joteel struggles to land a body shot inside as Al Balushi controls his hands.
Joteel takes a shot to the head.
Al Balushi lands a shot to the body.
Joteel misses with a body punch.
Joteel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Joteel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Joteel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Balushi's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joteel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Balushi's elbow.
Joteel blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Joteel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Balushi's elbow.
Joteel takes an elbow to the temple.
Joteel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joteel avoiding damage as Al Balushi throws knees to the body.
Joteel tries to throw a body punch but Al Balushi avoids it by throwing Joteel back against the cage.
Joteel lands with a short shot to the head.
Joteel working aggressively here.
Al Balushi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Al Balushi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Al Balushi blocking some punches.
Al Balushi trying to stall but Joteel improves his position.
Al Balushi misses with a hook to the ribs.
A shot in the inside from Al Balushi.
A short left from Al Balushi.
A nice right hand lands inside from Joteel.
Joteel lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Al Balushi.
Al Balushi misses with a knee to the head.
Al Balushi lands an elbow that stopped Joteel in his tracks for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Al Balushi.
Al Balushi misses with the head strike.
Al Balushi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Al Balushi.
Al Balushi throws a head punch that misses.
Joteel takes an elbow to the forehead.
Al Balushi misses with a punch to the body.
Al Balushi is looking to control Joteel's arms but Joteel gets an underhook and turns him. Now Al Balushi has his back to the cage.
Nice body punch from Joteel - that landed with a thud.
Al Balushi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Joteel.
Joteel lands a nice shot to the body.
Joteel works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Joteel lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Joteel - that landed with a thud.
Joteel lands a left hand that snaps the head of Al Balushi backwards.
Joteel gets through Al Balushi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Joteel cracks Al Balushi with a nice body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Joteel.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Joteel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joteel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Joteel throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Joteel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Balushi's elbow.
Joteel misses with a punch to the body.
Joteel tries a body shot but Al Balushi blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Joteel fails to land.
Joteel just leaning against Al Balushi, taking a breather.
Joteel lands a left hand.
Al Balushi lands an elbow that stopped Joteel in his tracks for a moment.
Joteel is leaning against Al Balushi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Al Balushi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Al Balushi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Joteel throws a head punch that misses.
Joteel managing to block the knees to the body from Al Balushi.
Joteel lands a left hand.
Al Balushi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Joteel scores with a nice hook to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Joteel tries a body shot but Al Balushi blocks it.
Al Balushi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Joteel.
Joteel managing to block the knees to the body from Al Balushi.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jacque Joteel did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Al Balushi checks a leg kick nicely.
Joteel looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Joteel checks the leg kick nicely there.
Joteel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Al Balushi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Al Balushi thows a leg kick but Joteel checks it
and Joteel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Joteel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Al Balushi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Joteel keeps Al Balushi at a distance using the push kick.
Al Balushi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Joteel.
Al Balushi moves out of range as Joteel strikes.
Joteel throws a half hearted mid kick.
Al Balushi thuds a left hand into Joteel's body.
Joteel tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joteel thows a leg kick but Al Balushi checks it
and Al Balushi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Joteel throws a push kick but Al Balushi slaps the foot to one side.
Joteel thows a leg kick but Al Balushi checks it
and Al Balushi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Joteel has taken the fight to the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Joteel.
Al Balushi lands a knee to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Joteel tries to throw a body punch but Al Balushi avoids it by throwing Joteel back against the cage.
Joteel tries to land a knee to the head but Al Balushi blocks with his arms.
Al Balushi gets through Joteel's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Joteel presses Al Balushi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Joteel misses with a punch on the inside.
Joteel misses with some punches.
Joteel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Joteel lands a body shot in the clinch.
Joteel blocks a body shot from Al Balushi.
Joteel lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Al Balushi backwards.
Al Balushi lands a nice elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Balushi can't find room to land a body shot as Joteel controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Joteel.
Al Balushi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Joteel backwards.
Joteel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Balushi's elbow.
Joteel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Al Balushi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Al Balushi blocking some punches.
Al Balushi working aggressively here.
Al Balushi taking a breather.
Joteel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Joteel throws a punch but it's blocked by Al Balushi.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Joteel as Al Balushi tries to tie him up.
Al Balushi throws an elbow that misses.
Al Balushi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Al Balushi.
A nice right hand lands inside from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi lands a nice knee to the body.
Al Balushi works on Joteel's body with a couple of short punches.
Al Balushi lands a shot to the body.
Al Balushi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Al Balushi presses Joteel against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Al Balushi pushes Joteel back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi lands a right hand.
Al Balushi trying to land knees to the body.
Joteel lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Al Balushi backwards.
A short right from Al Balushi on the inside.
Al Balushi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Joteel's face.
Al Balushi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Al Balushi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Al Balushi lands a nice elbow.
A right handed body shot lands from Al Balushi.
A right hook to the body lands for Al Balushi.
Joteel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Balushi's elbow.
A short right from Al Balushi on the inside.
Al Balushi scores with a hook to the body.
Al Balushi trying to land knees to the body.

Al Balushi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Joteel doesn't manage to clinch there - Al Balushi circles away.
It seemed like Al Balushi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Joteel misses with an uppercut
and Al Balushi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Joteel looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joteel scores with a jab to the jaw.
Joteel takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A slapping leg kick lands for Al Balushi.
Joteel swings for the body but Al Balushi moves out of range.
Al Balushi misses with a body shot.
Al Balushi misses with a hook
and Joteel makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Al Balushi really felt that one!
Joteel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Joteel misses with an uppercut
and Al Balushi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Joteel misses with a straight right.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zaid Al Balushi dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Joteel walks into a left hand.
Joteel defending well as Al Balushi loads up on a big left hand.
Al Balushi looks to throw the jab but Joteel is out of range.
As Al Balushi looks to move away, Joteel throws a big counter combo but Al Balushi just gets out of the way.
Al Balushi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Joteel.
Joteel half committed to a counter leg kick.
Al Balushi checks a leg kick.
Joteel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice jab there from Al Balushi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Joteel checks a leg kick.
Joteel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Joteel moves out of range as Al Balushi strikes.
Al Balushi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Al Balushi ducks under a wild hook from Joteel.
Al Balushi just misses with a punch to the body.
That kick from Joteel tenderised Al Balushi's leg. Al Balushi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Joteel misses with a hook
and Al Balushi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Al Balushi keeps Joteel at a distance using the push kick.
Joteel misses with a leg kick
and Joteel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joteel throws a leg kick that is checked
and Al Balushi counters with a low kick, right behind Joteel 's knee.
Al Balushi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Joteel does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick but Joteel moved away.
Al Balushi tries to land a front kick but Joteel steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Joteel swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Joteel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Al Balushi moves away.
Al Balushi moves out of range of the body kick from Joteel.
Al Balushi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Al Balushi.
Joteel throws a counter high kick but Al Balushi was just alert enough to avoid it.
Al Balushi slips a straight right by Joteel.
Joteel bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Al Balushi's head.
Joteel misses with a head kick.
Al Balushi loads up on a big right hand but Joteel slips the punch.
Joteel throws a big shot that misses.
Al Balushi thinks about the counter body kick.
Joteel rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Al Balushi counters with a straight right hand.

Joteel instigates a clinch.
Joteel can't find room to land a body shot as Al Balushi controls the action.
Al Balushi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Al Balushi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joteel lands a hook that snaps the head of Al Balushi backwards.
Al Balushi trying to stall but Joteel improves his position.
Joteel tries a body shot but Al Balushi blocks it.
Al Balushi tries a knee to the head but Joteel blocks it.
Al Balushi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Al Balushi misses with an elbow over the top.
Al Balushi trying to land knees to the body.
Al Balushi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
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!
Nice body punch from Al Balushi - that landed with a thud.
Al Balushi blocks an uppercut.
Joteel digs a right hand into Al Balushi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Al Balushi's gas tank.
Joteel struggles to land a body shot inside as Al Balushi controls his hands.
Al Balushi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Al Balushi lands a left hand.
A short right from Al Balushi on the inside.
Al Balushi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Joteel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Al Balushi throws an elbow but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zaid Al Balushi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Al Balushi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 46:49
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 47:48
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zaid Al Balushi!
Zaid Al Balushi is the new lightweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Zaid Al Balushi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.