PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fahad Al Qarni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Misiek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Al Qarni's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Hells Bells. Misiek has chosen El Picante as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Al Qarni
vs
Misiek

180 cm
27
187 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

181 cm
28
185 lbs
18 - 13 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fahad Al Qarni!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rafael Misiek!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Misiek takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Misiek shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Al Qarni pinned against the cage. Al Qarni gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
No joy there for Misiek, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Al Qarni swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Misiek throws a jab when Al Qarni was well out of range.
Misiek listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A combination from Al Qarni does no damage.
Sloppy strikes from Misiek. Those never looked like landing.

Misiek has Al Qarni up against the cage in a clinch.
Al Qarni pushes Misiek back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Misiek is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Al Qarni pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Misiek tries to bum rush Al Qarni with a series of wild strikes but Al Qarni uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Misiek ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Al Qarni swings widly with a right hand
and Misiek counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Misiek keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Misiek looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Al Qarni stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Misiek.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misiek moves away from the strike by Al Qarni.
A punch combination from Al Qarni misses.
Misiek slips a straight right by Al Qarni.
Misiek slips under a jab from Al Qarni.
Misiek feints and then cracks Al Qarni's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Al Qarni down.
Al Qarni throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
No luck for Al Qarni with that takedown attempt.
Jab, jab by Al Qarni - just one landing.
Misiek throws a hook but Al Qarni blocks it.
Misiek throws a big shot that misses.
Al Qarni thows a left - swing and a miss!
Misiek is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Al Qarni with a body shot.
Misiek tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Al Qarni defends well and Misiek ends up having to push Al Qarni into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Al Qarni is looking to counter punch.
Al Qarni fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Al Qarni lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Al Qarni looks to land a combination but Misiek avoids it well.
Al Qarni slips a jab and a cross from Misiek.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice leg kick lands there from Misiek.
Misiek tries to clinch up.
Al Qarni lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Al Qarni moves out of range as Misiek strikes.
As Misiek looks to move away, Al Qarni throws a big counter combo bu Misiek just gets out of the way.
Misiek looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Qarni is just out of range.
Misiek is looking to land body kicks.
Misiek slips a jab and a cross from Al Qarni.
A combination from Al Qarni does no damage.
Al Qarni checks a leg kick.
Al Qarni pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Misiek back to the cage. Al Qarni follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A decent looking cross lands there for Al Qarni.
Fahad Al Qarni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Al Qarni cracks Misiek with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Al Qarni fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fahad Al Qarni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Qarni avoids a kick to the body.

Misiek closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Al Qarni is trying to break the clinch but Misiek is controlling him.
Misiek tries a knee to the head but Al Qarni blocks it.
A nice left hand lands by Al Qarni.
Al Qarni blocks an elbow strike from Misiek.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Misiek misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A bit of stalling here from Misiek.
Al Qarni tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Misiek landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Al Qarni struggles to land a body shot inside as Misiek controls his hands.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Al Qarni creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Misiek jumps guard and drags Al Qarni to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Misiek wants to stand but Al Qarni is controlling the position.

Al Qarni drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Al Qarni jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Misiek working for a triangle but Al Qarni defends it easily.
Misiek looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Misiek keeping moving, preventing Al Qarni from controlling successfully.
Al Qarni pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Misiek is keeping the position for now.

Misiek had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Al Qarni defends it easily.
Misiek keeping moving, preventing Al Qarni from controlling successfully.
Misiek looking for a sweep. Not yet Misiek, not yet.
Al Qarni works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Al Qarni is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Misiek defends it well.
Misiek is looking for a sweep. Al Qarni is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Fahad Al Qarni will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Al Qarni shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Misiek defends it nicely.

Misiek moves into range and clinches up with Al Qarni.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Al Qarni creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Misiek stalling in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Al Qarni.
Misiek lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Al Qarni backwards.
Al Qarni lands a body shot.
Al Qarni swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Misiek trying to stall but Al Qarni improves his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Qarni is trying to push Misiek away but Misiek has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Misiek has a couple of punches blocked by Al Qarni.
Al Qarni misses with a hook from the clinch.
Al Qarni misses with some punches.
Misiek throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Al Qarni fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misiek throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Al Qarni blocks it with crossed arms.
Al Qarni lands a left hand that snaps the head of Misiek backwards.

Al Qarni breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Al Qarni tries for a takedown but Misiek sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Al Qarni tests Misiek's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A left lands for Al Qarni.
Misiek swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fahad Al Qarni is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Al Qarni jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Misiek's jab looks to have found its range, popping Al Qarni under the eye.
Al Qarni takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Misiek looks to land a left hand but Al Qarni moved out of range nicely.
Misiek looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sloppy strikes from Al Qarni. Those never looked like landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Misiek fails with a takedown attempt.
Al Qarni smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Misiek showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Al Qarni.
Al Qarni dips to his left and cracks Misiek with an uppercut!
Al Qarni throws a shot from downtown. Misiek moves away and avoids it.
Al Qarni swinging wildly here.
Nice sprawl there from Misiek as Al Qarni shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fahad Al Qarni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Qarni throws a hook but Misiek blocks it.
Misiek misses the jab.

Al Qarni is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Misiek's half guard.
Misiek keeping hold of Al Qarni's head, controlling as best he can.
Misiek punching from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Misiek wants to get back to full guard.

Al Qarni is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Misiek doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Al Qarni.
Misiek is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Misiek is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Al Qarni is trying to work for a kimura but Misiek is defending well.

Al Qarni wants to work for an arm triangle but Misiek is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Al Qarni is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Misiek defends it well.
Misiek wants to get back to full guard.
Misiek is trying to maintain the position but Al Qarni is very close to passing his half guard.

Al Qarni is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Al Qarni seems to be working for a kimura but Misiek defends the submission attempt.
Misiek gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fahad Al Qarni dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Misiek throws a head kick but Al Qarni moves out of range.

Al Qarni shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Misiek manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Misiek tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Al Qarni slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Al Qarni is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Misiek is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Al Qarni prevents Misiek from escaping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Al Qarni working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Misiek wants to control but Al Qarni postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Al Qarni tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Al Qarni has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Misiek felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Misiek is looking to regain half guard here but Al Qarni keeps moving and retains side control.

Al Qarni is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Misiek knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Al Qarni is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Misiek has escaped the position, nice work there.
Misiek wants to control but Al Qarni postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Al Qarni tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Al Qarni has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Al Qarni is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Misiek can do to turn this around?
Al Qarni trying to control the action but Misiek is working from the bottom.

Al Qarni is trying to get an arm triangle but Misiek is defending well.
Misiek is trying to improve his position.
Misiek can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Al Qarni working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Al Qarni tries for a kimura but Misiek is defending well.
Misiek pushes Al Qarni away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Al Qarni gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Al Qarni wants to control but Misiek is keeping him busy.

Al Qarni wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Misiek, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Misiek bucks up and tries to throw Al Qarni off but instead Al Qarni has got his back!
Misiek is trying to break free.

Al Qarni looking for the choke from the back.

Al Qarni has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Misiek defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Al Qarni's arms.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Qarni doesn't have the hooks in and Misiek manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fahad Al Qarni clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Misiek turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Misiek lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Al Qarni stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Misiek jabs Al Qarni to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Misiek tries a low kick but Al Qarni avoids it.
Al Qarni lands with a straight right. Misiek didn't see that one coming.
Al Qarni misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Al Qarni scores with a nice right hand.
Misiek displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Al Qarni.
Al Qarni swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Misiek.
Al Qarni will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Al Qarni throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Misiek tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Al Qarni is in Misiek's guard.
Al Qarni trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misiek looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Al Qarni puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Misiek wants to control but Al Qarni is keeping busy.
Al Qarni stops Misiek from getting back to his feet.

Al Qarni is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Misiek sees it coming and defends easily.
Misiek tries to roll over but Al Qarni keeps him under control.

Al Qarni is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Misiek is just riding it out for now. Al Qarni eventually gives up the hold.
Misiek is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Al Qarni sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Al Qarni is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Misiek defends it well.

Al Qarni is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Misiek has managed to free his arm - good work.
Misiek trying to hold on to Al Qarni's head to control him but Al Qarni postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Misiek manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Al Qarni keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Al Qarni lands a nice shot to the body.
Al Qarni misses with a hook to the ribs.
Still in the clinch, Al Qarni scores with a nice short uppercut.
Al Qarni is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Misiek stalling the fight.
Al Qarni scores with a shoulder strike.

Al Qarni escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Misiek defending well as Al Qarni loads up on a big left hand.
Fahad Al Qarni is winning the standup battle so far.

Al Qarni looking to score a takedown here. Misiek is defending well but Al Qarni drives through and ends up in Misiek's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni postures up.
Misiek trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Misiek is looking for a triangle but Al Qarni pushes his legs off easily.
Misiek is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Al Qarni is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Misiek looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Al Qarni is pushing down on Misiek's leg trying to pass to half guard. Misiek is fighting to maintain full guard but Al Qarni has managed to sneak the leg through.

Al Qarni seems to be looking for submissions.
Al Qarni trying to control from half guard but Misiek is working away.

Misiek is defending against the submission attempts here by Al Qarni.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fahad Al Qarni had his way with Rafael Misiek in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

A lazy left from Al Qarni finds it's target.
Nice defenses there by Misiek.
Misiek ducks right into an uppercut from Al Qarni.
Misiek uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Al Qarni.
Misiek throws a body punch but Al Qarni moves out of range.

Al Qarni shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Al Qarni wants to control from the top but Misiek keeps moving.
Misiek trying to strike off his back.
Fahad Al Qarni overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Misiek manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Misiek connects with a leg kick. Al Qarni looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Al Qarni misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Misiek takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misiek displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Al Qarni.
Al Qarni steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Misiek.
It looked like Al Qarni wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Al Qarni shoots in for a double leg but Misiek sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Misiek throws out a loose jab but Al Qarni uses good head movement to avoid it.
Al Qarni throws a jab when Misiek was well out of range.
Misiek misses the jab.
Misiek blocks a jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Misiek! But no joy.
Misiek throws a lazy right hand but Al Qarni sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Al Qarni looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Misiek is fending him off so far but Al Qarni persists. Nope, Misiek circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fahad Al Qarni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Misiek throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Al Qarni.
Misiek lands a body shot.

Misiek gets caught flat footed, as Al Qarni shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Misiek looking to control.
Misiek wants to sweep here but Al Qarni controlling him for the moment.
Misiek is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Al Qarni is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Al Qarni passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Misiek can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Misiek tries to buck Al Qarni off but Al Qarni is having none of it.
Al Qarni gets to mount! Misiek was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Misiek keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Al Qarni is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Misiek can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Misiek regains half guard.
Al Qarni trying to control from half guard but Misiek is working away.

Al Qarni is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Misiek defends it well.
Rafael Misiek has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Misiek tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Al Qarni is pressing down on Misiek's thigh, looking to free his foot. Misiek is holding on for now.
Al Qarni controlling the pace.

Al Qarni is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Misiek doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Al Qarni.

Al Qarni seems to be looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Fahad Al Qarni.
Well Al Qarni has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 50:45
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fahad Al Qarni!
Fahad Al Qarni retains his welterweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Fahad Al Qarni thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.