PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hajji Houssam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Al JoJo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hajji Houssam has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Houssam
vs
JoJo

170 cm
18
142 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
131 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hajji Houssam!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Al JoJo!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Houssam wants to clinch.

JoJo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
JoJo stops a takedown attempt from Houssam.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Houssam.
JoJo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Houssam's elbow.
JoJo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
JoJo is pressed up against the cage. Houssam has hold of a leg and is looking to drag JoJo down to the mat. JoJo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Houssam is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
JoJo tries to clinch up.
JoJo getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
JoJo looks to clinch

and Houssam holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for JoJo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
JoJo misses with a body punch.
Houssam is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hajji Houssam. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Houssam pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
JoJo tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Houssam counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Houssam.

That's one minute gone in the round.
JoJo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
JoJo misses with a body punch.
JoJo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Houssam's elbow.

Houssam breaks the clinch.
JoJo tries to clinch but Houssam moves away

and Houssam counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Houssam.
JoJo letting Houssam take a breather here.
Houssam landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Houssam landing knees to the head.
JoJo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
JoJo missing with knees to the body.
JoJo tries to work over Houssam's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
JoJo is trying to break the clinch but Houssam is controlling him.
JoJo is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
JoJo's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Houssam avoiding damage as JoJo throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from JoJo.
Houssam keeps the fight in the clinch, despite JoJo's efforts to push away.
JoJo tries to circle away but Houssam has him pinned against the cage.
JoJo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
JoJo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

JoJo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Houssam ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Houssam no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Houssam wants to stand up but JoJo is controlling him.

Houssam uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
JoJo wants to clinch up but Houssam keeps it at a distance.
JoJo closes the distance looking to clinch
and Houssam counters with a low kick, right behind JoJo 's knee.
JoJo wants to clinch up but Houssam keeps it at a distance.
Houssam looking to land some kicks to the body here.
JoJo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Houssam is breathing heavily.
JoJo throws a leg kick but Houssam sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A head kick misses from JoJo.
JoJo darts in trying to clinch
and Houssam counters with a three punch combo that has JoJo backing up. JoJo nods at Houssam to acknowledge the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
JoJo tries to clinch up but Houssam circles away and keeps his distance.
JoJo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Houssam paws at him with a jab and circles away.
JoJo tries to clinch there but Houssam circles away.
JoJo darts in trying to clinch

and Houssam counters by moving into the clinch.
JoJo can't find room to land a body shot as Houssam controls the action.
A right hand to the body from JoJo.
JoJo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
JoJo lands a body punch in the clinch.
JoJo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Houssam blocks an elbow strike from JoJo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
JoJo is trying to break free.
JoJo looking to stall.
JoJo can't find room to land a body shot as Houssam controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al JoJo dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

JoJo wants to clinch up but Houssam keeps it at a distance.

Houssam rushes JoJo and presses him up against the cage.
JoJo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
JoJo misses with a hook from the clinch.
JoJo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Houssam jumps guard but JoJo stands there with Houssam around his waist. Houssam gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
JoJo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Houssam jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as JoJo walks away with a smile on his face. Houssam gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Some bone on bone action there as Houssam checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
JoJo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
JoJo moves in looking to clinch but Houssam pushes him off.
JoJo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Houssam paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice takedown defense from JoJo. No joy for Houssam on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hajji Houssam. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Houssam shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and JoJo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houssam closes this distance looking for a takedown but JoJo circles away.
JoJo is looking to clinch.
JoJo doesn't manage to clinch there - Houssam circles away.
JoJo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Houssam manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
JoJo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Houssam swats him away and circles back towards the center.
JoJo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Houssam looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
JoJo fails with an attempt to clinch.

JoJo forces Houssam back against the cage and clinches.

JoJo manages to break the clinch.
Houssam throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around JoJo's waist but JoJo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Houssam off to one side.
JoJo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

JoJo closes the distance and clinches.
JoJo missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
JoJo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Houssams head.
JoJo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
JoJo wants to break free but Houssam has control.
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!
Houssam avoiding damage as JoJo throws knees to the body.
JoJo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Houssam avoids it.
JoJo misses with the head strike.
JoJo tries a body shot but Houssam blocks it.
JoJo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Houssam is defending well for now.
A nice left hand lands by JoJo.
Houssam wants to break the clinch but can't.
JoJo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
JoJo tries to work over Houssam's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Houssam keeps the fight in the clinch, despite JoJo's efforts to push away.
JoJo missing with knees to the body.
JoJo tries a body shot but Houssam blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
JoJo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Houssam wants to stall.
JoJo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Houssam.
JoJo tries to work over Houssam's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Houssam blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
JoJo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from JoJo on the inside.
A short right from JoJo on the inside.
Houssam blocking some punches.
JoJo missing with knees to the body.
Houssam avoiding damage as JoJo throws knees to the body.
JoJo misses with a body punch.
Houssam is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables JoJo to keep the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houssam changes levels and goes for a takedown here. JoJo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
JoJo is looking to clinch.
JoJo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hajji Houssam is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
JoJo tries to clinch up but Houssam circles away and keeps his distance.
Decent striking displayed by JoJo there.
JoJo thuds his right hand into Houssam's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
JoJo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
JoJo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Al JoJo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
JoJo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Houssam paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Al JoJo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
JoJo tries to clinch but Houssam is having none of it.
JoJo tries to clinch up but Houssam circles away and keeps his distance.
Houssam avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al JoJo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

JoJo tries to clinch but Houssam is having none of it.
JoJo tries to close the distance and clinch but Houssam swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Houssam wants to clinch up but JoJo keeps it at a distance.
Houssam doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
JoJo tries to clinch

and Houssam counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
JoJo scores with a hook to the body.
JoJo keeps control of Houssam as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A nice right hand lands inside from JoJo.
JoJo tries a body shot but Houssam blocks it.

JoJo manages to break the clinch.
JoJo moves in looking to clinch but Houssam pushes him off.
JoJo wants to clinch up but Houssam keeps it at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

JoJo clinches up against the cage.
JoJo scores with a shoulder strike.
JoJo lands with a short shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
JoJo works on Houssam's body with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houssam blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
JoJo is pushing Houssam up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
JoJo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
JoJo misses with a punch to the body.
Houssam wants to take the fight to the mat but JoJo manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
JoJo trying to stall but Houssam improves his position.
JoJo working aggressively here.
Houssam wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
JoJo is working Houssam over against the cage.
Al JoJo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
JoJo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

JoJo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
JoJo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Houssam swats him away and circles back towards the center.
JoJo doesn't manage to clinch there - Houssam circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
JoJo closes the distance but Houssam moves to the side

and Houssam counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Houssam.
JoJo lands a nice shot to the body.
JoJo lands with a short shot to the head.
JoJo swings wildly with an uppercut but Houssam uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice left hand lands by JoJo.
Still in the clinch, JoJo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
JoJo tries to stall but Houssam uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Houssam's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
JoJo lands with a left to the head.
JoJo looking to slow down the pace here.
JoJo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
JoJo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
JoJo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
JoJo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Houssam.
JoJo is trying to push Houssam away but Houssam has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
JoJo lands with a short shot to the head.
Houssam doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
JoJo working aggressively here.
Houssam blocks an elbow strike from JoJo.
JoJo is trying to break the clinch but Houssam has him pressed against the cage.
JoJo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Houssam has JoJo pressed against the cage, preventing JoJo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
JoJo struggles to land a body shot inside as Houssam controls his hands.
JoJo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Houssam has JoJo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. JoJo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
JoJo is looking to control Houssam's arms but Houssam gets an underhook and turns him. Now JoJo has his back to the cage.
Houssam is trying to stall.
Al JoJo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Houssam gets control of JoJo's arms and successfully pulls guard. Houssam will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
JoJo is stalling in the full guard.

JoJo stands and steps away. Houssam gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Al JoJo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
JoJo fails with an attempt to clinch.
JoJo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Houssam paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hajji Houssam has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Houssam throws a low kick, looking for JoJo's leg but JoJo calmly moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Al JoJo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got JoJo winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Al JoJo!
Our winner, Al JoJo, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.