The last time Dhiaaul Amal and Effendy Kalai fought was in January and the former prevailed by way of split decision. They rematched at the Malaysian Invasion Season 5 Finals on Friday night and this time there was no need for a second round, let alone the intervention of the judges.
Both men brought stellar amateur records into this bantamweight final and there was no surprise when it proved to be arguably the fight of the night. Kalai attempted an early head kick but it was blocked and Amal responded with a kick of his own.
Kalai countered with a punch that knocked his opponent back and the action immediately intensified. He followed up with some knees from the clinch which connected clean with his opponent’s midsection and then tossed Amal unceremoniously to the ground.
At this stage Kalai was the aggressor but Amal turned the table in spectacular style when he threw up his legs and wrapped them around his opponent’s arm. The submission was on tight and as the torque increased the tap was inevitable.
With the win Amal improves to 15-4 as an amateur while his opponent drops to 14-6. At least there was no controversy on this occasion with victory coming courtesy of a submission rather than the split decision which settled their last meeting.
MIMMA 5 Grand Finals, Stadium Juara, March 30th
Eunice Ong beat Gloria Hoongby Decision (Split) after 5 to win MIMMA 125lbs title
Jay Jay Anak Muran vs Naimul Amal (for flyweight title)
Dhiaaul Amal beat Effendey Kalai by Submission (Kimura) in round 1 to win MIMMA 135lbs title
Nathaniel Imang Lakai beat Syafiq Jamal by Submission (Kimura) in round 1 to win MIMMA 155lbs title
Mohd Fakhrul Izzat beat Derek Lim by Decision (Unanimous) after 5 to win MIMMA 185lbs title
Norahmed Ali Zareh beats Theebaan Govindasamy by Decision (Unanimous) after 5 to win MIMMA 170lbs title
Nieng Khai Tsan beats Azreel Izzat by TKO (Punches) in round 3 to win MIMMA 265lbs title
Naimul Amal beats Jay Jay Muran by TKO (Punches) in round 3 to win MIMMA 125lbs belt
Damon Soo beat J. Garcia-Candal by TKO (Punches) in round 1 to win MIMMA 145lbs title