PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Andy King (ranked 1423 p4p, 180 weight class) and Usman Al Naemi (ranked 4061 p4p, 421 weight class). King kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is What's Up . I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

King
vs
Al Naemi

180 cm
26
155 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

173 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Andy King!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Usman Al Naemi!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
King throws a one two combo.
Al Naemi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Al Naemi looks for a takedown but King sprawls well.
King is looking to counter punch.
Al Naemi moves in looking to clinch but King pushes him off.
King scores with a three punch combo!
Nice defenses there by Al Naemi.
King fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Al Naemi on the side of the head.
King scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al Naemi shoots in but no luck this time.
King misses the jab.
Al Naemi with the counter takedown but King avoids it easily.
Al Naemi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but King defends well and Al Naemi ends up having to push King into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
King throwing a counter right hand but Al Naemi manages to avoid it.
Andy King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Usman Al Naemi.
Al Naemi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Al Naemi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
King bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Al Naemi's head.
King misses with a combination
and Al Naemi counters with a two punch combo.
Al Naemi misses with a takedown attempt - King sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
It looked like King wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
King keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
King appears to be looking for a big counter.
Al Naemi has a takedown stuffed.
King looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Al Naemi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has King pinned against the cage. King gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Naemi tries for a takedown but King circles away easily
and Al Naemi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A jab from King misses.
A jab lands there for King.
Al Naemi wants to clinch up but King keeps it at a distance.
Al Naemi doesn't manage to clinch there - King circles away.
Al Naemi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Naemi shoots for a double leg takedown but King sprawls well. He's pushed Al Naemi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
King is looking for a counter combo.
King misses with a straight left.
King sets himself, and Al Naemi steps forward looking for the clinch! King avoids it this time.
Al Naemi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. King defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Naemi slips under a jab.
Al Naemi tries to clinch up but King circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Naemi slips under a jab.
Al Naemi fails with an attempt to clinch.
King scores with a nice head shot.
Al Naemi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
King is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Good standup being displayed there by King as he connects with a hook.
A cross from King lands.
King showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Al Naemi.
King seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King looks to land a left hand but Al Naemi moved out of range nicely.
Al Naemi slips under a jab from King.
King is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
King throws a jab but it's blocked by Al Naemi.
Al Naemi slips under a jab.
King misses with a wild combination.
King missing with a left hand there. Al Naemi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Al Naemi throws a sloppy head kick
and King counters with a straight right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Al Naemi slips under a jab from King.
Al Naemi shoots in but no luck this time.
Al Naemi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Andy King is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Al Naemi 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 King has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from King and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy King dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

King jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Al Naemi doesn't manage to clinch there - King circles away.
King will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Al Naemi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. King tries to avoid it but Al Naemi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag King to the ground. King escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
King went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Al Naemi tries for a takedown but King sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice cross by King.
Al Naemi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Andy King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Usman Al Naemi.
Al Naemi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Naemi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Al Naemi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Al Naemi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King avoids the head kick by Al Naemi.
Usman Al Naemi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Al Naemi ducks under a wild hook from King.
Al Naemi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has King pinned against the cage. King gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
King lands with a cross.
King looks to land a left hand but Al Naemi moved out of range nicely.
Al Naemi wants to counter the offense by King and move into the clinch position.
Al Naemi moves out of range as King strikes.
Al Naemi wants to clinch
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Naemi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but King paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Al Naemi defending well as King loads up on a big left hand.
King thows a left - swing and a miss!
King looks to land a left hand but Al Naemi moved out of range nicely.
Good shot there by King.
Al Naemi dives in and grabs King's left leg, looking for a takedown. King pushes down on Al Naemi's head and hops out.
Al Naemi shoots in but no luck this time.
Al Naemi has a takedown stuffed.
Andy King is winning the standup battle so far.
Al Naemi fails with a takedown attempt.
Al Naemi is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for King.
King lands with an uppercut that bounces Al Naemi off the cage and back into range.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Al Naemi might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, King has got the better of the exchanges.
King misses with a hook.
Al Naemi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? King is fending him off so far but Al Naemi persists. Nope, King circles away and we're back to standing.
King swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Al Naemi throws the left hand but King avoids the punch easily.
King fails to land with a series of punches.
Al Naemi has his takedown stuffed
and King counters with a nice uppercut.
Al Naemi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. King tries to avoid it but Al Naemi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag King to the ground. King escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
King is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Al Naemi can do to turn this around?
Al Naemi fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Naemi slips a jab from King.
A big left from King misses.
Al Naemi shoots in and drives through. King sprawls well.
Al Naemi plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A big right from King misses.
Al Naemi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Al Naemi throws a head kick but King moves out of range.
King misses with a straight right.
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 Naemi moves forwards but King connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Al Naemi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
King is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Al Naemi.
King throws a hook to the side of Al Naemi's head but Al Naemi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy King dominated that second round.
That's time! King's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Al Naemi slips under a jab from King.
Al Naemi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but King moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
It looked like King wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Al Naemi shoots in and drives through. King sprawls well.
King thows a left - swing and a miss!
Al Naemi scores with a shot to the body.

Al Naemi shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. King is trying to defend but Al Naemi finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

King actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King keeps control of the position for the meantime.
King trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

King is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Al Naemi pulls his head out easily.
Al Naemi scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Al Naemi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. King defending well though.
Al Naemi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but King does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

King looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Al Naemi wants to control but King is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

King looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
King blocking the ground and pound attempt from Al Naemi.
Al Naemi works his way into side control.
King wants to control but Al Naemi postures up.
Al Naemi wants to stand but King is controlling his arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King tries to improve position but can't.
King managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Al Naemi.
Al Naemi tries to stand but King is controlling his head.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Al Naemi misses with a takedown attempt - King sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Al Naemi fails to land the takedown.
Andy King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Usman Al Naemi.
Al Naemi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with King but King pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A head kick misses from Al Naemi.
King jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from King. No joy for Al Naemi on that attempt.
King will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice takedown defense from King. No joy for Al Naemi on that attempt.
King is looking for a counter combo.
King misses with a hook. Al Naemi ducked under it nicely.
Al Naemi shoots in looking for a takedown but King manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Al Naemi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A little feinted left hand from King on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Al Naemi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
King was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A jab from King misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Naemi shoots and misses
and Al Naemi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
King misses with an uppercut.
King throws out a loose jab but Al Naemi uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Andy King did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fighters circling - King throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Al Naemi shoots in and drives through. King sprawls well.
It looked like King wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
King misses with a hook. Al Naemi ducked under it nicely.
Al Naemi blocks a jab.
Al Naemi moves out of range of the strikes.
Al Naemi is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Al Naemi shoots in and drives through. King sprawls well.
King throws a right and a left that both miss.
King tries to bum rush Al Naemi with a series of wild strikes but Al Naemi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Some wild striking there from King.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Naemi closes the distance and clinches up with King, looking for a takedown. Al Naemi pushes King against the cage but King circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Andy King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Usman Al Naemi.
Al Naemi tries to clinch but King is having none of it.
Al Naemi moves in looking to clinch but King pushes him off.
A little feinted left hand from King on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Al Naemi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Al Naemi is looking to clinch.
King misses the jab.
Al Naemi throws a jab but it's blocked by King.
Al Naemi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
King avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Naemi tries to clinch up.
King lands with an uppercut that bounces Al Naemi off the cage and back into range.
King jabs Al Naemi right on the nose. Al Naemi blinks but takes it well.
Al Naemi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Al Naemi staying out of range there.
King leaves Al Naemi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Al Naemi throws a body kick that misses.
Al Naemi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Al Naemi moves away from the strike by King.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Al Naemi.
Al Naemi moves out of range as King strikes.
Al Naemi shoots in but King avoids the takedown attempt easily.
An attempted straight right counter from King misses the target.
King blocks a head kick by Al Naemi.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Al Naemi is defended easily by King.
King lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Naemi fails in his attempt to clinch.
King with a jab.
King checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
King misses with a lunging right hand
and Al Naemi counters with a left and a right that stings King.
King lands a jab.
King misses with an uppercut.
Al Naemi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Al Naemi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Al Naemi tries to close the distance and clinch up but King swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fighters circling - King throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy King had his way with Usman Al Naemi in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Al Naemi misses with a jab, cross combination.
King throws a right and a left that Al Naemi avoids nicely.
King stuffs the takedown.
King is looking to counter punch.
Al Naemi ducks under a wild hook from King.
King throws an overhand right that lands on Al Naemi's shoulder, as Al Naemi tries to avoid the shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Al Naemi misses the target.
King swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
King keeps the fight on the outside.
King throws a big counter combination but Al Naemi scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Al Naemi closes the distance and clinches up with King, looking for a takedown. Al Naemi pushes King against the cage but King circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
King swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King misses with a few strikes there.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Al Naemi tries to clinch there but King circles away.
King throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Al Naemi sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Naemi misses with a takedown attempt
and King counters with a stiff right hand.
Andy King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Usman Al Naemi.
A big right from King misses.
Al Naemi shoots in but King avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Al Naemi ducks under a wild hook from King.
Al Naemi shoots in for a takedown but King shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Al Naemi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from King.
Al Naemi has his takedown stuffed
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Al Naemi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from King.
Despite the aggression on Al Naemi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Al Naemi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from King.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Naemi dives in for a single leg takedown but King sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Al Naemi fails with a takedown attempt.
King throws a series of strikes that have Al Naemi backpedaling.
Al Naemi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from King.
Al Naemi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Al Naemi shoots in for a takedown but King shows good takedown defense.
The fighters circling - King throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
King swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King keeps the fight on the outside.
King was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Al Naemi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Al Naemi is looking to clinch.
King throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Al Naemi on the side of the head.
Al Naemi slips a jab from King.
The fight stays on the outside here - Al Naemi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Al Naemi tries to clinch but King moves out of range.
As Al Naemi looks to move away, King throws a big counter combo but Al Naemi just gets out of the way.
Al Naemi wants to clinch but King slips to the side
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Naemi tries to clinch but King moves away
enabling King to counter with a crisp jab.
Al Naemi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from King.
Al Naemi shoots in looking for a takedown but King manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Al Naemi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Al Naemi shoots in looking for a takedown but King manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Al Naemi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Al Naemi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
King is looking to counter punch.
King scores with a jab. Al Naemi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
King looks to land a right hand but Al Naemi moved out of range.
Al Naemi fails with a takedown attempt.
King was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy King showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for King, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 50:43
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:44
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy King!
Andy King retains his lightweight title!
An out of breath Andy King thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.