PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ali Roumani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reem Khalid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Roumani
vs
Khalid

175 cm
20
155 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

170 cm
26
154 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ali Roumani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Reem Khalid!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Peter Branson and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roumani scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Khalid walks into a jab.
Roumani seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Roumani feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Khalids jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nice defenses there by Khalid.
Roumani lands with a nice body punch.
Nice sprawl there from Roumani as Khalid shoots in.
Roumani keeps the fight on the outside.
Roumani throws a lazy right hand but Khalid sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khalid shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Khalid slips a straight right by Roumani.
A little jabbing left from Khalid on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ali Roumani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khalid walks into a stiff left hand from Roumani.
Roumani lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roumani lands a jab to the nose.
Roumani misses with a looping right.
Khalid tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Khalid takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Roumani scores with a sloppy right hand. Khalid should have avoided that one.
Roumani looks to land a right hand but Khalid moved out of range.
Khalid is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Roumani looks for a takedown but Khalid sprawls well.
Roumani jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Roumani will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Khalid feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roumani throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Khalid was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Donk. Roumani catches Khalid right on the button with a cross.
Khalid tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Roumani swivels and escapes.
Ali Roumani has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Reem Khalid.

Roumani gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Roumani is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Khalid knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Khalid tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Khalid keeps trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalid is trying to escape the position but Roumani is controlling the position.
Khalid prevents Roumani from improving position.
Khalid is looking to regain half guard here but Roumani keeps moving and retains side control.
Roumani wants to lay and pray for a moment but Khalid keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khalid stuck in half guard on the bottom here.

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.

Roumani wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Khalid, who protects the arm well.

Roumani is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Khalid knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Roumani goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Khalid rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Roumani's guard! Nice work there by Khalid!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Roumani dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Roumani fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Khalid is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Roumani misses with a few strikes there.
Khalid was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Khalid wants to clinch.
Roumani stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roumani ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Khalid moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalid shoots and misses
and Roumani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Roumani is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Roumani moves out of range of the leg kick from Khalid.
Khalid moves out of range of the strikes.
Khalid looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Khalid needs to keep his hands up - Roumani had a free shot at his head there.
Roumani cracks Khalid with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Roumani shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Khalid defends it nicely.
Khalid defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Roumani.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Roumani. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roumani darts in looking for a takedown but Khalid gets double underhooks and turns Roumani into the cage.
Roumani misses with a takedown

and Khalid counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Khalid.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Khalid preventing the sweep.
Khalid trying to control but Roumani is working from the bottom.
Khalid throws a big right hand that misses.
Khalid passes Roumani's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Roumani avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Khalid.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roumani is trying to control but can't.
Khalid is taking a breather. Roumani says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Khalid is trying to work for a kimura but Roumani is defending well.
Roumani is looking to improve his position.

Khalid wants to work for an arm triangle but Roumani is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

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.
Roumani is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Khalid's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Khalid's back!

Khalid is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Roumani gets his way!
Roumani is trying to stick to Khalid's back but Khalid is turning into Roumani. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Roumani's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Khalid.
Khalid looking to sit in guard and control but Roumani gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Khalid is on top in guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Roumani throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ali Roumani will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Roumani swinging wildly here.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Khalid! But no joy.
Roumani uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Khalid has time to react.
Roumani looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Khalid defending well as Roumani loads up on a big left hand.
Khalid appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khalid slips a jab from Roumani.
Khalid ducks under a wild hook from Roumani.
Khalid changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Roumani rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

so Khalid counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalid pushes down on Roumani's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Roumani gets full guard.
Khalid scoring with punches to the head and body.

Roumani is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Khalid is aware though and is defending well.
Reem Khalid has got the better of the ground game so far.

Roumani throws his legs up looking for a submission but Khalid uses it to pass to side control.
You can see the frustration on Roumani's face as Khalid controls the position.
Khalid working away.
Khalid scores with punches from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Khalid tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Roumani gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Khalid moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Roumani.
Khalid cracks Roumani with a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khalid looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Roumani stops Khalid from passing to mount.
Ali Roumani is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Khalid misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The ground and pound from Khalid seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Roumani is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Khalid can do to turn this around?
Roumani is not content to let Khalid control the position.
Khalid wants to take a breather but Roumani manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Khalid.
Khalid must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Roumani pulls Khalid in close to prevent any damage.
Roumani looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Khalid looking to pass the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Reem Khalid has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Khalid moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reem Khalid comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Roumani 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 David Hoff scores the fight 29:28
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ali Roumani!
Ali Roumani bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.