PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mohammad Al Nasser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mina Samson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Samson's choice of entrance music: Soliders logic. Mina Samson will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Al Nasser
vs
Samson

178 cm
29
190 lbs
10 - 14 - 1

199 cm
27
196 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 14 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mohammad Al Nasser!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mina Samson!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Viktor Lagutenko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Nasser tries to clinch up but Samson circles away and keeps his distance.
Mohammad Al Nasser seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Al Nasser fails with the takedown.
Al Nasser shoots in but Samson avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Al Nasser closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Samson quickly recovers to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Samson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Al Nasser is working away from the top position though.
Al Nasser wants to stand but Samson has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Samson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Al Nasser's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Al Nasser's back!

Samson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Al Nasser defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samson has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Samson struggling to keep hold of the position.
Samson not allowing Al Nasser to control his hands.
Samson tries to keep control of the position but Al Nasser is staying busy.

Samson patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Samson looks winded!

Samson is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Al Nasser prevents Samson from getting a body triangle.
Al Nasser can't escape the position.
Al Nasser turns into Samson and is now in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Nasser wants to get up but he can't break Samson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Al Nasser with a flurry of punches that miss.
Al Nasser trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Al Nasser looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Al Nasser wants to stand but Samson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Nasser controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Mohammad Al Nasser wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Samson dives in and scores a takedown into Al Nasser's guard.
Samson wants to control from the top but Al Nasser keeps moving.
Samson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Al Nasser haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Al Nasser throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Samson trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Nasser is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mina Samson was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Samson throws a head kick that misses.

Al Nasser is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Samson's half guard.
Al Nasser thows a huge punch but Samson dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Nasser tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Al Nasser throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Al Nasser wants to stand up but Samson has a hold of him and won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Al Nasser decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mohammad Al Nasser will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Samson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Al Nasser to the ground. Samson is now in Al Nasser's guard.
Samson looking to sit in guard and control but Al Nasser gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Samson is looking for a triangle but Al Nasser pushes his legs off easily.
Al Nasser trying to control the position from guard on top but Samson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al Nasser throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Al Nasser defends it easily.
Samson is breathing heavily.
Al Nasser throws a big elbow that misses.
Al Nasser trying to control the position from guard on top but Samson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Samson managing to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Al Nasser wants to get up but he can't break Samson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Nasser wants to stand and escape but instead Samson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Al Nasser might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Al Nasser wants to sweep here but Samson controlling him for the moment.
Samson trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Nasser is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al Nasser will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Samson is stalling in the full guard.
Samson stopping the sweep attempt from Al Nasser.

Samson has gone for a leg lock! Al Nasser slips out almost immediately though and dives into Samson's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samson has a closed guard, preventing Al Nasser from standing up.
Al Nasser trying to control the position from guard on top but Samson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Al Nasser stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Samson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Samson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Al Nasser's guard.
Samson content to stall in guard here.
Samson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Samson trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Nasser is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al Nasser looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Samson looking to sit in guard and control but Al Nasser gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Samson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Al Nasser.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Al Nasser with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mina Samson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Al Nasser will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Al Nasser doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Samson counters with a one-two to the body.
Al Nasser circles away from the clinch attempt.
Samson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Al Nasser shoots for a takedown but Samson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mohammad Al Nasser. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Samson pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Samson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Al Nasser looking to hit a scissor sweep but Samson is one step ahead there.
Al Nasser keeping moving, preventing Samson from controlling successfully.
Al Nasser manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Al Nasser tries to control but Samson wriggling away.
Samson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Nasser controlling from mount.

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.
Al Nasser trying to control but Samson is having none of it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mohammad Al Nasser has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Al Nasser goes for a double leg but Samson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Samson continues to drive forward.

Samson has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Al Nasser clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Al Nasser trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Samson has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Samson is looking for the choke from the back position but Al Nasser is controlling his hands well.
Will Samson go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Al Nasser preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Samson.
Al Nasser can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Nasser biding his time here by controlling the hands, looking to escape.

Samson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Al Nasser defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Samson's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Nasser breaks Samson's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Al Nasser trying to control the position from guard on top but Samson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Samson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Al Nasser is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mina Samson.
I think Samson 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29

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