PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ghazala Hussein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samoa Rome (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hussein kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is -[ Enae Volare Mezzo ]-. Rome has chosen Samoan Death as his entrance music. Samoa Rome has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ghazala Hussein's chin.

Hussein
vs
Rome

179 cm
25
159 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

188 cm
25
164 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Convicted Trap House
Conviction

Conviction
Cobra Kai Nutrition (NEW 158 OUT)

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 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ghazala Hussein!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Samoa Rome!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hussein scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Samoa Rome has been cut.

Rome bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hussein is looking for a sweep.

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

Rome working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Rome thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hussein sneaks back into half guard.

Rome is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rome controlling the action here.
Rome prevents Hussein from improving his position.
Hussein keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Rome looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Hussein controlling the position well.

Rome is working for a kimura but Hussein is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hussein wants to get back to full guard but Rome has passed into side control.
Hussein really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Rome moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Hussein has worked his arm free - good work by Hussein!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hussein struggling a bit here.

Rome tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rome has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Rome goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hussein has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Rome but great work by Hussein.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussein in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hussein working the ground and pound.
Hussein laying and praying for a moment but Rome takes advantage and regains half guard.

Hussein is working for a submission of some sort.
Rome wants to control but Hussein is keeping busy.

Hussein is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rome has managed to free his arm - good work.

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.
Rome trying to hold on to Hussein's head to control him but Hussein postures up.
Rome is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Rome looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hussein takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
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 Ghazala Hussein will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Samoa Rome's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rome cracks Hussein with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A shot to de liver by Hussein. Beautiful body shot.
Rome tries to bum rush Hussein with a series of wild strikes but Hussein uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hussein is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rome.
A right-left combo lands from Hussein.
Hussein tries to clinch up but Rome circles away and keeps his distance.
Rome avoids the body shot from Hussein.
Rome throws a shot from downtown. Hussein moves away and avoids it.
Hussein keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rome.
Rome swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hussein jabs at Rome's body.
Rome throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hussein.
Hussein connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hussein cracks a nice hook into Rome's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rome.
Hussein looks to score with a jab to the body but Rome is just out of range.
Rome takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hussein scores with a nice head shot.
Hussein swings for the body but Rome moves out of range.
Hussein jabs Rome right on the nose. Rome blinks but takes it well.
Hussein throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rome misses with a hook to the body
enabling Hussein to counter with a crisp jab.
A shot to de liver by Hussein. Beautiful body shot.
Hussein swings for the body but Rome moves out of range.
Hussein swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hussein swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Hussein misses the target.
Hussein misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussein scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rome doesn't seem bothered though.
Rome fails to land the takedown.
Hussein misses with a body shot.
Rome throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hussein counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rome is breathing heavily.
Hussein scores with a jab to the body.
Samoa Rome is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hussein misses with the combination.
Hussein cracks a nice hook into Rome's ribs.
Rome misses with a combination
and Hussein counters with a nice uppercut.
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!
Hussein jabs Rome right on the nose. Rome blinks but takes it well.
Rome misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussein dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rome slips a jab and a cross from Hussein.
Hussein misses with a wild body shot.
Hussein keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rome takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hussein connects with a nice looking jab.
Rome walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hussein scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rome takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rome uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hussein.
Hussein punishes Rome's body with a nice straight punch.
Rome throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rome showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hussein.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rome takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hussein comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hussein connects with a crisp jab.

Rome tries to keep at a distance but Hussein has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rome can't break the clinch.
Rome looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A short body shot lands from Hussein as the two fighters clinch.

Hussein escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rome takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rome cracks Hussein with a right hand to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rome misses with a takedown attempt
and Hussein cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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!
Hussein throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hussein swings for the body but Rome moves out of range.
Rome rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hussein moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghazala Hussein dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Samoa Rome's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hussein throws a looping overhand right but Rome ducks down to avoid it.
Rome misses with a takedown attempt
and Hussein counters with a left to the body.
Hussein connects with a right hand. Rome shakes it off.
Hussein connects with a nice looking jab.
The fighters circling - Rome throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ghazala Hussein is winning the standup battle so far.
Hussein misses with a hook to the body
and Rome counters with a right hand to the body.
Rome connects with a right hand. Hussein shakes it off.
Hussein throws a right hand that Rome ducks under and follows up with a left that Rome also avoids with ease.
Rome fails with the takedown
and Hussein counters with a straight right hand.
Rome takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hussein lands a jab to Rome's midsection.
Some wild striking there from Hussein.
Rome has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hussein lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussein scores with a punch to the head.
Hussein lands with a right hand.
Hussein lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rome at a distance.
Hussein works Rome's body with a nice hook.
Hussein throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rome takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hussein looks to land a combination but Rome avoids it well.
Rome swings away with a body shot that misses
and Hussein counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rome thinking.
Rome is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Hussein scores with a jab to the head.
Rome with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hussein to score with a decent uppercut.
Hussein scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hussein throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Hussein finds it's target.
Hussein connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rome throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hussein.
Hussein throws a good cross that connects.
Hussein fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rome uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hussein.
Hussein avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hussein moves into range and connects with a jab.
A nice combination there by Hussein.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hussein lands a nice hook to Rome's body. Rome takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rome looks to score with a jab to the body but Hussein is just out of range.
Rome ducks right into an uppercut from Hussein.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Hussein as he connects with a hook.
Rome misses with an uppercut. Hussein saw that one coming.
A swing and a miss from Rome.
Rome throws a combination that misses
and Hussein counters with a straight right hand.

Hussein looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hussein trying to control the position from guard on top but Rome is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussein slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rome is not content to let Hussein control the position.
Hussein tries to move into full mount but can't pass Rome's legs.
Hussein lands an elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rome is trying to control Hussein's posture but Hussein avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghazala Hussein clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Samoa Rome's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hussein throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Rome looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hussein not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rome looking to pass the guard.
Hussein has control of Rome's left arm, preventing Rome from doing any damage.

Rome is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Hussein is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Hussein has escaped and now he's on top!
Rome is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rome is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hussein advances position into side control!

Hussein decides to stand back up. Hussein steps back and let's Rome get back to his feet.
Hussein just misses with a punch to the body.
Hussein throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two 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.
Rome misses with a few strikes there.
Hussein just misses with a punch to the body.
Rome misses with a few strikes there.
Hussein lands with an uppercut that bounces Rome off the cage and back into rage.
Hussein cracks Rome with a good jab.
Rome dodges the punch combination from Hussein.
Rome misses with a double jab
and Hussein counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hussein misses with a takedown attempt - Rome sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rome throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hussein counters with a one-two to the body.
Hussein swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rome.
Hussein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rome moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rome throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hussein counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hussein scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hussein throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rome keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hussein misses with a straight right.
Hussein is looking to wear down Rome with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Rome takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Rome gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hussein to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Rome looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hussein pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rome is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rome is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hussein defends well.
Hussein has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rome is proving hard to escape from.
Hussein missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rome trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghazala Hussein had his way with Samoa Rome in that round.
The cut man is working on Samoa Rome's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rome looks to throw the jab but Hussein is out of range.
Hussein uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rome has time to react.
Ghazala Hussein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hussein misses with a straight left.
Hussein cracks Rome with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rome throws a body punch but Hussein moves out of range.
Rome pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hussein throws a sloppy body shot

and Rome counters with a takedown into side control.

Rome looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hussein wants to control but Rome postures up.
Rome is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Who's going to make the next move?
Samoa Rome has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussein wants to control but Rome postures up.

Rome is trying to get an arm triangle but Hussein is defending well.

Rome looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hussein manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rome's best efforts.

Rome is working for a kimura here but Hussein manages to reverse the position and he's now in Rome's guard.

Hussein drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hussein jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hussein controlling from the top position.
Hussein passes Rome's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Rome keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hussein wants to take a breather but Rome is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hussein is working for a kimura but Rome is defending it quite comfortably.
Rome is trying to get back to full guard.
Rome is pressing down on Hussein's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Rome has his foot on Hussein's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hussein works his way back into a safe position though.
Hussein is stalling in the full guard.
Hussein has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Hussein drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hussein jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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.
Rome keeping full guard, as Hussein tries to pass.
Hussein loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rome pulls Hussein in close to his closed guard and prevents Hussein from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ghazala Hussein is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Rome looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Hussein has picked Rome up and slammed him! Rome can't keep hold of the triangle and Hussein manages to pass to side control!
Samoa Rome has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Hussein thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samoa Rome comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hussein has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 48:47
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 49:46
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ghazala Hussein!
Ghazala Hussein retains his lightweight title!