The most controversial fight in #arabMMA history and @albataloffical finale

Well, Season 2 of Al Batal is in the books–the hit reality TV show aired to over 60 million homes on Fox Movies, before replaying on Fox to an additional broadcast network of 60 million homes inside the MENA (Middle East North Africa region).

The show was a new experience for me, as I was captain of ‘Team Elbe’–and was responsible for preparing each of my fighter for their upcoming fights.

The finals saw Tariq Ismail face Walid Seghar in a back and forth 3 round war, where Tariq was first announced as the winner of the fight, before eventually having the decision over turned, when it was ‘revealed’ the score cards had been misread.  Controversy ensued however, as the scorecards where not properly collected, no signatures where included, and one of the cards actually had a pen scribbling out their original score, only to have a new score re-written.  Wether the fight was changed to add drama to the show, or wether it was a legit accident, myself and the audience will never know for sure—

Watch the fight yourself, and tell me who you think won. Keep in mind MMA judging is based on four categories, with the most weight in scoring going to effective striking, effective grappling, control of the fighting area, and effective aggressiveness and defense.

Effective striking is judged by determining the total number of legal strikes landed by a contestant.

Effective grappling is judged by considering the amount of successful executions of a legal takedown and reversals. Examples of factors to consider are take downs from standing position to mount position, passing the guard to mount position, and bottom position fighters using an active threatening guard.

Fighting area control is judged by determining who is dictating the pace, location and position of the bout. Examples of factors to consider are countering a grappler’s attempt at takedown by remaining standing and legally striking, taking down an opponent to force a ground fight, creating threatening submission attempts, passing the guard to achieve mount, and creating striking opportunities.

Effective aggressiveness means moving forward and landing a legal strike.

Effective defense means avoiding being struck, taken down or reversed while countering with offensive attacks.

Looking at those categories, I felt Tariq won rounds 1-2.  While Walid was able to get a few takedowns in those rounds, he did very little in regards to GnP with Tariq working his way back to his feet successfully each time. The damage done to Walid’s face was apparent at the end of the fight, and the amount of time Tariq pressed the fight to the fence, in addition to his ability to get back to his feet at will, really made me feel he won two rounds to one.

Walid is a very talented MMA fighter, and a De La Riva Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, while Tariq is a young up and coming MMA fighter, Muay Thai Champion–and was awarded his BJJ Blue Belt under myself during filming of the show.

Regardless of who the judges felt won the fight—this has to go down as the most epic MMA fight in Arab Combat Sports history.  Mashallah to both fighters–and I’m sure they will continue their march to a successful career.

PS….I don’t usually cry—but when I do its on an International Broadcast shown on Fox and Fox Movies around the world, lol! Look for Al Batal to be back with a 3rd season–news and details coming soon.