PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Azar Qasi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Superior Nucleus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Qasi might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to For Whom The Bell Tolls. Nucleus has chosen Tupac - Hit 'Em Up as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Qasi
vs
Nucleus

180 cm
20
166 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
160 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

The Empire Clothing and Laundry
Big Bear Nutrition 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Azar Qasi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Superior Nucleus!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Steve Montenegro and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Qasi is defended easily by Nucleus.
Nucleus follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Qasi cracks Nucleus with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nucleus defending well as Qasi loads up on a big left hand.
No joy there for Qasi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nucleus is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Qasi with a body shot.
Nucleus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Qasi feints a jab promting Nucleus to slip. Qasi then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Nucleus slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Qasi throws a series of punches but Nucleus avoids them all with ease.
Nucleus throws a counter combo.
Qasi misses with a wild combination.
Nucleus misses with a kick to the body
letting Qasi counter with a right hand.
Qasi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A telegraphed right hand from Qasi misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi throws a right hand that Nucleus ducks under and follows up with a left that Nucleus also avoids with ease.
Qasi throws a right hand that misses
and Qasi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice straight punches there by Qasi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Qasi.
Qasi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nucleus circles away quickly and effectively.
Nucleus steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Azar Qasi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Qasi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Qasi shoots in and drives through. Nucleus sprawls well.
No luck for Qasi with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Azar Qasi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Qasi throws a right and a left that Nucleus avoids nicely.
Nucleus tests Qasi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice body punch from Nucleus.
Nucleus stuffs the takedown.
Qasi tries to bum rush Nucleus with a series of wild strikes but Nucleus uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nucleus tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Qasi with a nice cross.
A jab from Qasi misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qasi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nucleus stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nucleus ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Qasi moves away.
Qasi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nucleus.
Qasi lands with a cross.
A swing and a miss from Qasi.
Nucleus is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Nucleus connects with a body shot that sends Qasi's belly button to the back.
Qasi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Qasi shoots in for a takedown but Nucleus shows good takedown defense.
Qasi lands a jab to the head.
Nucleus chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nucleus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Qasi throws out the jab.
Qasi avoids the body shot from Nucleus.
Qasi throwing a counter right hand but Nucleus manages to avoid it.
Qasi misses with a wild combination.
Nucleus scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Superior Nucleus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Qasi takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi misses with a hook. Nucleus ducked under it nicely.
Qasi moves out of range as Nucleus strikes.
Nucleus takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Qasi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A telegraphed right hand from Qasi misses the target.
Nucleus slips a jab from Qasi.
Qasi with a jab.
Nucleus avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nucleus lands a nice looking body shot.
Nucleus looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nucleus slips under a jab from Qasi.
Qasi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nucleus defending well as Qasi loads up on a big left hand.
Nucleus throws a head kick that misses.
Qasi fails to land with a series of punches.
Qasi throws a poor cross that misses
and Nucleus counters with a stiff right hand.
A left and a right from Qasi both land. Nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Qasi lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Qasi fails to land with a series of punches.
Qasi is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Nucleus fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Qasi.
Qasi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Qasi throws a right hand that Nucleus ducks under and follows up with a left that Nucleus also avoids with ease.
Qasi tests Nucleus's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nucleus tries to bum rush Qasi with a series of wild strikes but Qasi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Qasi is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A big right from Nucleus misses.
Qasi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A lazy left from Nucleus finds it's target.
Qasi misses with a straight left.
Nucleus appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Qasi swinging wildly here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Qasi throws a hook to the side of Nucleus's head but Nucleus sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Qasi with a poor takedown
and Nucleus counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nucleus smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Azar Qasi dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Qasi looks to score with a jab to the body but Nucleus is just out of range.
Nucleus blocks a jab.
Qasi throws out a loose jab but Nucleus uses good head movement to avoid it.
Qasi throws a lazy right hand but Nucleus sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Nucleus might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Qasi has got the better of the exchanges.
Qasi throws a series of punches but Nucleus avoids them all with ease.
Qasi throws a right and a left that Nucleus avoids nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nucleus! But no joy.
Nucleus slips a jab and a cross from Qasi.
Nucleus dodges the punch combination from Qasi.
Nucleus throws a nice outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qasi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nucleus throws a head kick that half lands.
Qasi throws a lazy uppercut
and Nucleus counters with a two punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Qasi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Azar Qasi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice defenses there by Nucleus.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Qasi.

Qasi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nucleus's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nucleus looking to hit a scissor sweep but Qasi is one step ahead there.
Qasi pushes down on Nucleus's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Qasi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nucleus can do to turn this around?

Qasi is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nucleus sees it coming and defends easily.
Nucleus is controlling Qasi's trapped leg to prevent Qasi from advancing to side control.

Qasi is working for a kimura but Nucleus is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nucleus holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Qasi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Qasi trying to control the action but Nucleus is working from the bottom.

Qasi wants to work for an arm triangle but Nucleus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nucleus is trying to get back to full guard.
Nucleus works his way to full guard. Good work.
Nucleus not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nucleus keeping moving, preventing Qasi from controlling successfully.
Nucleus trying to control the position.
Qasi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nucleus swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Nucleus is trying to keep Qasi in close.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Qasi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nucleus.
Nucleus blocks a jab.
Nucleus lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Nucleus avoids a punch combination nicely.
Qasi looks to throw the jab but Nucleus is out of range.
Nucleus steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Qasi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qasi misses with a straight left.
Qasi throws a hook but Nucleus avoids it easily.
Qasi shoots in for a takedown but Nucleus shows good takedown defense.
Nucleus ducks under a wild hook from Qasi.
Qasi tests Nucleus's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nucleus slips under a jab.
Nucleus takes a swing at Qasi's ribcage but misses.
A head kick misses from Nucleus.
A telegraphed right hand from Qasi misses the target.
Nucleus goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nucleus throws a jab but it's blocked by Qasi.
Nucleus just misses with a punch to the body.
Nucleus scores with a push kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nucleus throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Qasi.
Qasi misses with a looping left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Azar Qasi dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Qasi checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nucleus pivots, looking for a leg kick but Qasi is out of range and Nucleus settles back down.
Nucleus tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Qasi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nucleus connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nucleus fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Qasi on the side of the head.
Nucleus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Qasi.
Qasi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nucleus.
It looked like Qasi was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Qasi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nucleus sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Qasi lands a jab to the nose.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qasi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Qasi backing away here, and Nucleus unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Nucleus tries to land a front kick but Qasi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Qasi fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Azar Qasi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Qasi fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Qasi does no damage.
Good exchange - Qasi coming out on top.
Nucleus tries to land a leg kick but Qasi saw it coming and moves away.
Qasi avoids the head kick by Nucleus.
Qasi dives in and grabs Nucleus's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nucleus pushes down on Qasi's head and hops out.
Qasi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Qasi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nucleus.
Qasi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nucleus counters with a nice uppercut.
Nucleus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Qasi misses with an uppercut. Nucleus saw that one coming.
Qasi cracks Nucleus with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nucleus moves out of range of the strikes.
It seemed like Nucleus was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Superior Nucleus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nucleus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Qasi moves forwards but Nucleus connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Qasi shoots in for a takedown but Nucleus shows good takedown defense.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nucleus digs a good hook to Qasi's body.
Qasi misses with a two punch combination.
Nucleus avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nucleus scores with a nice body kick.
Qasi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nucleus misses with a head kick.
Qasi drops his hands momentarily and Nucleus takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nucleus looks to throw the jab but Qasi is out of range.
Qasi throws a right hand that misses
and Nucleus counters with a three punch combo that has Qasi backing up. Qasi nods at Nucleus to acknowledge the strikes.
Nucleus throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nucleus throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi avoids the head kick by Nucleus.
Qasi misses with a looping right.
Nucleus appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Qasi is defended easily by Nucleus.
Nucleus fakes the leg kick and cracks Qasi in the body.
Nucleus stuffs the takedown.
Qasi throws a nice looking combination but Nucleus bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Qasi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nucleus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Qasi walks into a jab.
Nucleus takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qasi throws a jab when Nucleus was well out of range.
Qasi avoids the head kick by Nucleus.
Nucleus uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Qasi.
Qasi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Nucleus explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Qasi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Qasi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nucleus.
A big right from Qasi misses.
Nucleus throws a solid leg kick but Qasi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Nucleus.
Qasi blocks a leg kick.
Qasi misses with a looping right.
Qasi with a nice cross.
Nucleus throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Qasi checks a low kick from Nucleus.
Azar Qasi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Qasi looks to land a combination but Nucleus avoids it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Superior Nucleus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Qasi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Azar Qasi!
An out of breath Azar Qasi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.