Alan Jouban vs. Belal Muhammad

Round 1
Muhammad presses the action early, marching toward Jouban with a few low kicks. One clips Jouban on the cup, but “Brahma” says he’s OK to continue. Shortly after the restart, a sweeping left hand from Jouban knocks Muhammad to the canvas. Jouban comes down to kneel in his opponent’s guard, but Muhammad rolls free and the welterweights scramble back to their feet. Muhammad pushes Jouban against the wall and double-legs him to the floor, and suddenly it’s Muhammad coming on strong, looping left hands underneath Jouban’s armpit. Two minutes in, the fighters scramble up and return to the center of the cage. Muhammad closes in on Jouban again and gets lit up with a left high kick to the face. Jouban follows his wounded opponent to the floor and tries to pound out Muhammad with left hands and elbows. Referee Herb Dean is watching from nearby but giving Muhammad every chance to recover from the bad spot. Jouban’s storm subsides, allowing Muhammad to work back to his feet with about 40 seconds on the clock. The 170-pounders paw with strikes in the final minute, but neither man lands anything of significance.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Jouban
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Jouban
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Jouban

Round 2
Muhammad once again pushes forward on Jouban at the start of the round. Jouban looks a bit tired in his movement after expending loads of energy trying to finish Muhammad in the first frame. Jouban appears to catch Muhammad in the eye with an open hand twice in the first 90 seconds, but Muhammad doesn’t ask for a stoppage and Jouban apologizes immediately. Muhammad walks right into a big left hand from Jouban, momentarily knocking the UFC newcomer to the floor. Muhammad springs back to his feet and shoves Jouban against the fence with double underhooks. He switches to a single-leg but can’t wrestle Jouban to the floor, so the welterweights remain in the clinch, trading short punches inside. They split with 90 seconds on the clock and Muhammad comes forward again, his nose busted up from Jouban’s earlier shots. Jouban backpedals and keeps sticking his jab in Muhammad’s face as the final minute ticks down. Muhammad scores a late takedown and tries to attack but can’t do much before the bell.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Jouban
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Jouban
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Jouban

Round 3
Muhammad tries to close the gap by walking toward Jouban, but he winds up shooting for a takedown from way out. Jouban stuffs the shot and clinches with Muhammad, who turns him against the fence for a few seconds until they separate. Muhammad is showing some fatigue now, his hands dropping to his waist as he tries to get into striking range. Meanwhile, an equally tired Jouban stays on his back foot, fending off Muhammad with jabs, his back always near the fence. Muhammad is throwing with high volume and starting to connect with greater frequency, but Jouban is just eating every punch. Inside the final minute now, Muhammad is charging hard for the finish but still hasn’t managed to send Jouban to the mat. Jouban is still getting in a few licks, but he’s being badly outlanded down the stretch as he wobbles around the outside. Muhammad is still attacking with punches when the fight draws to a close.

Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Muhammad (29-27 Jouban)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Muhammad (29-27 Jouban)
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Muhammad (29-28 Jouban)

The Official Result
Alan Jouban def. Belal Muhammad via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-28, 28-27) R3 5:00