Date: 11-10-25 at UMMA 5 — Mercia Venue, Coventry
Match: Muhammad Hijab vs JayJay Bumstead
Result: Hijab wins via TKO in Round 1, with 1:30 left in a 3-minute round

Pre-Fight Hype

The buzz leading into UMMA 5 had been intense. On Hijab’s official site, the matchup was billed as a heavyweight collision — “Two heavyweights collide for professional MMA bout.” The fight was heavily promoted in the weeks prior, with both fighters teasing knockout power and grappling ability.

JayJay Bumstead came in with a reputation for finishing fights in the opening round and with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (as noted in promoter materials). Hijab, on the other hand, leaned heavily into hype that he’d brought new training techniques and sharpened his ground game.

The Fight

Round 1 — Opening Moments

The bell rang. Early striking exchanges ensued; both fighters felt each other out, throwing jabs, testing distance. Bumstead tried to maintain space, using kicks and defensive movement. But Hijab pressed forward aggressively, cutting angles and closing distance.

Within the first minute, Hijab managed to clinch and force the fight to the ground. From that position, he dominated immediately, securing top control. Bumstead attempted to scramble, but Hijab’s positioning and pressure were too strong.

Ground Control

Once on the mat, Hijab settled into dominant ground control — cross-body, heavy weight distribution, limiting Bumstead’s mobility. He rained down punches and elbows with precision, targeting head and body. Bumstead covered up and tried to defend, but the volume of strikes was overwhelming.

With a minute and a half left in the round, the referee stepped in and halted the bout, declaring a TKO (ground-and-pound) in favor of Hijab.

Analysis & Takeaways

  • Well-executed strategy: Hijab’s game plan to bring the fight to the mat paid off. His pressure, clinch work, and ground control were decisive.
  • Bumstead’s defense broke: Despite his credentials in BJJ, he couldn’t escape or reverse once pinned under Hijab’s dominance.
  • Short fight, big statement: Winning in the first round gives Hijab momentum and credibility as a legitimate MMA contender — not just a crossover name.

What’s Next?

This performance raises questions:

  • Will Hijab’s team now look to more seasoned MMA competition?
  • Can Bumstead bounce back, perhaps adjusting his guard or submission escapes?
  • How will the crowd and fans receive this fight — as a shock upset or a predicted dominance? Let us know in the comments.