Chance Rencountre

Belal Muhammad vs. Chance Rencountre

Round 1
Muhammad presses forward on the southpaw Rencountre, who holds a noticeable 3-inch height advantage over the Chicagoan. Both welterweights are testing the range with short punches in the opening 90 seconds, and now Rencountre gets busy with some hard leg kicks. Muhammad fires back with some heavy low kicks of his own. Muhammad backs up the newcomer to the fence and touches him with a short hook, then easily shuts down Rencountre's first takedown attempt of the bout. Muhammad slips a left, then shoots one back at Rencountre before getting out of range. Rencountre is being forced to work entirely off his back foot here, constant forward pressure from Muhammad keeping him in reverse. The story changes inside the final minute, as Rencountre takes a turn coming forward and almost immediately finds a home for his hardest punch of the round.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Muhammad
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Muhammad
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Muhammad

Round 2
Muhammad is on the advance again early in the second frame, pressuring Rencountre backward toward the fence, ducking in and out of range to deliver tight combinations. "Remember the Name" drops levels and completes an easy takedown, but holding Rencountre on the mat proves to be a more difficult proposition, as the Osage fighter quickly posts and stands. Muhammad ducks under a left hand, pops up and slugs Rencountre with a right cross. Things slow down in the middle part of the round, though Muhammad continues to apply pressure, walking Rencountre around the cage. Muhammad backs up "Black Eagle" with a few jabs, narrowly misses with a front kick. Another double jab scores for Muhammad, who finishes the round with a spinning kick to the body.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Muhammad
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Muhammad
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Muhammad

Round 3
Muhammad goes straight back to the tactic that won him the first two rounds, constantly inching forward on Rencountre, backing him up and then sticking him with speedy, compact punches. The larger, longer Rencountre lands a few leg kicks, but nothing that gives Muhammad any sort of pause. With two minutes on the clock, Muhammad changes levels and floors "Black Eagle" with a takedown, but again Rencountre is able to stand up within seconds. Muhammad cracks Rencountre with an overhand right, hits another takedown and moves straight to Rencountre's back. Securing the position with a body triangle, Muhammad tries to wrap his right arm around his opponent's neck; Rencountre does well hand-fighting, shutting down the sub attempt and even getting back to his feet in the final 10 seconds.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Muhammad (30-27 Muhammad)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Muhammad (30-27 Muhammad)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Muhammad (30-27 Muhammad)

The Official Result
Belal Muhammad def. Chance Rencountre via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00