Alan Jouban got the better of Belal Muhammed tonight at UFC Fight Night 90, dropping him three times in the opening 10 minutes of the fight, though he had to battle through some adversity in the final round to earn a unanimous decision victory.
Round One:
Both men feel out with the jab to start. Muhammed takes the center of the Octagon as Jouban settles for circling on the outside.
Huge left hook for Jouban floors Muhammed and he immediately follows him to the mat and starts to work in his guard.
Muhammed manages to scramble and is able to stand and thinks about a guillotine choke. Instead, it’s his turn to take Jouban down, though he doesn’t keep him there for long.
Back on the feet, Muhammed sweeps Jouban to the mat again, but he’s right back up and they settle back into striking range.
Jouban with a nice body kick. Leg kick for him and a nice punch for Muhammed.
Jouban suddenly drops Muhammed again with a left head kick and then flurries on him with ground and pound on the mat. Somehow Muhammed hangs in there, but he remains under fire.
Jouban tries to get to mount, but Muhammed is able to scramble back to his feet and then works into the clinch against the cage to buy himself some time.
Jouban moves away with 10 seconds of the round remaining and lands a leg kick.
Round Two:
One-two for Muhammed to start the second round. Solid body kick for Jouban.
Another kick for Jouban. Muhammed looks for a takedown, but Jouban brushes him away and keeps the fight standing.
Nice jab for Muhammed, then eats a body kick from Jouban. Jouban goes upstairs with a head kick, but it’s blocked this time.
Left hook from Jouban and Muhammed is down again, but he bounces straight back up and gets into the clinch. What powers of recovery Muhammed’s showing!
Muhammed desperately trying to stay in this clinch as he clears away the cobwebs and tries to get his opponent to the mat.
He’s unsuccessful and Jouban breaks free. Troubling times for Muhammed given that he’s been dropped numerous times in the striking battle so far.
Jouban working the jab. Leg kick for Muhammed, and one in reply from Jouban.
Both men exchange jabs. Body kick for Jouban. Now back to the jab. Right hand and then a left for Muhammed.
Suddenly Muhammed sneaks in a takedown. Jouban stands and the round ends soon afterwards.
Round Three:
Both men exchange in the middle of the Octagon and Jouban lands a leg kick. He tries to go upstairs with a kick, but it doesn’t land clean this time.
Another kick from Jouban and then he sprawls on a takedown attempt from Muhammed.
Muhammed works into the clinch against the cage. He moves away. Muhammed throwing strikes, but not too much landing. Another leg kick from Jouban.
Muhammed with a head kick attempt. Not long afterwards, he does so again, but it’s blocked.
Muhammed landing hard with a few right hands. Better work from him, putting Jouban under real pressure. Jouban with a solid jab.
Jouban continuing to push the pace in the third round, landing a body kick and then back to punches.
Jouban not liking being under fire here. Muhammed keeps coming and He tags Jouban with more offense. Jouban lacking the snap in his own punches now to ward off his opponent.
Muhammed varying things up with the occasional uppercut into his flurries and Jouban is just hanging on now, but makes it to the final bell.
Decision:
So, a big third round for the tough-as-nails Muhammed then, but Jouban definitely got the better of the first two rounds and dropped his opponent multiple times, so he rightly earns a unanimous decision victory (29-28 x3).
