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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Azar Qasi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luigi Bates (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. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 180 cm
27
166 lbs
17 - 7 - 0 |
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178 cm
27
177 lbs
12 - 8 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Azar Qasi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Luigi Bates!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, David Schapiro and Eddie Farnsworth.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Qasi misses the shot to the body.
Bates steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Qasi.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bates.
Bates dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Qasi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Qasi avoids the body shot from Bates.
Qasi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bates but Bates pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bates feints the counter takedown.
Qasi looks to throw the jab but Bates is out of range.
Bates cracks Qasi with an open hand slap.
Qasi throws a body punch but Bates moves out of range.
A shot to the liver by Bates. Beautiful body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Bates misses the target.
Qasi misses with a wild combination.
Qasi looks to land a left hand but Bates moved out of range nicely.
Bates stuns Qasi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big left from Qasi misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates misses with a looping left.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bates.
Bates slips under a jab from Qasi.
Qasi lands with an uppercut that bounces Bates off the cage and back into range.
The fighters circling - Bates throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Qasi is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bates.
Qasi misses with an uppercut. Bates saw that one coming.
We've been hearing reports that Qasi has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Bates ducks under a wild hook from Qasi.
Qasi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bates misses with a hook
and Qasi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Qasi scores with a nice head shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bates misses with a lunging right hand
letting Qasi counter with a right hand.
Qasi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Bates in his tracks.
Bates throws a lazy right hand but Qasi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bates digs a good hook to Qasi's body.
Qasi staying out of range there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Qasi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Qasi scoring well with a low kick there.
Qasi misses with a straight right.
Qasi moves out of range of the strikes.
Qasi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Qasi walks into a straight right hand from Bates.
A chopping leg kick lands by Qasi.
Qasi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bates.
Qasi throws a sloppy body shot
and Bates counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Qasi working a defensive guard here.
Qasi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bates gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bates wants to pass the guard but Qasi is keeping the position.
Qasi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi is working hard here to advance position.
Bates stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Qasi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bates got a little sloppy there for a moment and Qasi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bates has managed to get both his arms back between Qasi's legs - danger averted.
Bates stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Qasi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bates drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bates jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bates forces his way into half guard.
Qasi wants to improve his position but Bates is controlling well.
Bates is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Qasi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Qasi.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qasi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bates is aware though and is defending well.
Qasi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Qasi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bates trying to control but Qasi is working from the bottom.
Bates got a little sloppy there for a moment and Qasi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bates has managed to get both his arms back between Qasi's legs - danger averted.
Qasi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Bates drops back looking for a leg! Qasi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Qasi manages to kick Bates off! Bates jumps back into Qasi's guard.
Bates advances to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Luigi Bates dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Bates fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Qasi manages to avoid it.
Qasi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Qasi with a jab.
Qasi throws a hook but Bates blocks it.
Bates tests Qasi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Qasi lands a jab to Bates's midsection.
Qasi stuns Bates with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Qasi throws a jab when Bates was well out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bates darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Bates slips under a jab from Qasi.
Bates scores with a jab to the body.
Bates tries to bum rush Qasi with a series of wild strikes but Qasi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Qasi tries to sprawl but Bates drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Bates is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Qasi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bates is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Qasi is just riding it out for now. Bates eventually gives up the hold.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates is working for a kimura but Qasi is defending it quite comfortably.
Bates trying to pass the guard but Qasi defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bates is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Qasi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Qasi actively working from the bottom here.
Bates prevents Qasi from improving his position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Qasi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Qasi is looking for a sweep. Bates is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bates is looking for a kimura here.
Qasi trying to control from the bottom.
Qasi gets back to full guard.
Qasi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bates is aware though and is defending well.
Qasi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bates can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bates passes Qasi's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Luigi Bates has got the better of the ground game so far.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bates is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Qasi sees it coming and defends easily.
Qasi looking for submissions off his back.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Bates working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Bates uses his free foot to push down on Qasi's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Qasi.
Bates looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Qasi is looking to improve his position but Bates isn't that keen on the idea.
Bates pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qasi is trying to escape the mount.
Bates jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Qasi manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Qasi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bates wants to lay and pray for a moment but Qasi keeps working.
Qasi is trying to get back to half guard.
Qasi is not content to let Bates control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Qasi is looking to regain half guard here but Bates keeps moving and retains side control.
Bates tries for a kimura but Qasi is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Luigi Bates showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Bates ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Luigi Bates seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Qasi scores with a hook.
Bates shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Qasi is trying to defend but Bates finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Bates prevents Qasi from improving his position.
Bates trying to mount his opponent but Qasi defends it.
Qasi tries to roll over but Bates keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qasi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Qasi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bates looking to pass the guard.
Qasi looking for a guillotine here but Bates defends easily.
Bates slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Bates tries for a kimura but Qasi is defending well.
Qasi tries to bench press Bates off him but Bates keeps the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bates is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Qasi has escaped the position, nice work there.
Bates has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bates wants to control but Qasi is keeping him busy.
Qasi is looking for a sweep.
Qasi manages to work his way to half guard, despite Bates's best efforts.
Qasi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bates is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Bates wants to free his trapped foot but Qasi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bates passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Qasi struggling a bit here.
Qasi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bates is looking to take a break and control but Qasi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Qasi is trying to get back to half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bates is looking to take a break and control but Qasi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Qasi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bates thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Bates is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Qasi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Qasi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bates is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Luigi Bates really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Qasi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bates was well out of range. Poor timing from Qasi.
Bates fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Qasi manages to avoid it.
Qasi looks to score with a jab to the body but Bates is just out of range.
Qasi ducks under a wild hook from Bates.
Qasi throws a shot from downtown. Bates moves away and avoids it.
Qasi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bates manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Qasi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Qasi misses the shot to the body.
Qasi misses with a straight right.
Bates with the counter takedown but Qasi avoids it easily.
Bates throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bates throws a big shot that misses.
Bates uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Qasi.
Qasi throws a body shot but no joy.
Bates is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Bates moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi misses with a hook.
Bates closes the distance and pushes Qasi back into the cage.
Qasi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Qasi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bates moves away.
No joy there for Bates, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A little feinted left hand from Qasi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bates lands a nice hook to Qasi's body. Qasi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Qasi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Qasi misses with a low kick.
Qasi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bates was well out of range. Poor timing from Qasi.
Bates with the counter takedown but Qasi avoids it easily.
Bates slips a straight right by Qasi.
Qasi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Qasi tried to score with a low kick but Bates checks it.
Qasi misses with a wild body shot.
Qasi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bates.
Bates lands a nice shot that snaps Qasi's head back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Qasi. No joy for Bates on that attempt.
Qasi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Qasi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bates throws a lazy right hand but Qasi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Qasi drops his hands momentarily and Bates takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Qasi lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The fighters circling - Bates throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Qasi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bates throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A big right from Qasi misses.
Qasi misses with a double jab.
Bates throws a lazy uppercut
and Bates takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Qasi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Bates.
Bates is trying to get an arm triangle but Qasi is defending well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi is trying to get back to half guard.
Bates is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Qasi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Qasi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bates's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Bates is looking for a kimura but Qasi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bates to get the leverage.
Bates is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Qasi defends it well.
That's four 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.
Qasi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bates pulls his head out easily.
Bates is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Qasi is just riding it out for now. Bates eventually gives up the hold.
Qasi slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bates stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Qasi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Luigi Bates will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Bates throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bates throws out a powerful jab.
Bates is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Qasi.
Qasi slips under a jab.
It looked like Qasi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Qasi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Qasi lands in his opponent's guard.
Bates wants to sweep but no luck.
Qasi wants to pass the guard but Bates is keeping the position.
Bates throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qasi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi wants to pass the guard but Bates is keeping the position.
Bates lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Qasi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Qasi is on top in guard.
Qasi's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Qasi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bates is keeping the position for now.
Azar Qasi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luigi Bates is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qasi won't allow Bates to sweep him here.
Qasi is fighting to break Bates's control of his arms but Bates is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Bates keeping full guard, as Qasi tries to pass.
Qasi 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.
Bates lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Bates controls from within his opponent's guard.
Qasi lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bates is on top in guard.
Qasi working for a triangle but Bates defends it easily.
Qasi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bates slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Bates wants to control from the top but Qasi keeps moving.
Bates won't allow Qasi to sweep him here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Qasi working for a triangle but Bates defends it easily.
Bates trying to control the position from guard on top but Qasi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bates pushes down on Qasi's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Qasi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bates stalling.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Qasi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
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 Azar Qasi.
Well Bates has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 46:49
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 46:49
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luigi Bates!
Luigi Bates is the new welterweight champion!
Our winner, Luigi Bates, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
44% |
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