PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexandr Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Azar Qasi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Qasi comes into a darkened arena with his song building. For Whom The Bell Tolls kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Kuznetsov
vs
Qasi

182 cm
32
170 lbs
19 - 16 - 2

180 cm
29
166 lbs
19 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

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 19 - 16 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexandr Kuznetsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Azar Qasi!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Qasi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetsov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Qasi.
Kuznetsov throwing a counter right hand but Qasi manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Qasi. Qasi obviously looking to wear him down.
Kuznetsov tries to score with a low kick but Qasi moves his leg out of the way.
Qasi fails to land the takedown.
Qasi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuznetsov throws a shot to the body.
Azar Qasi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Qasi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuznetsov looks to land a right hand but Qasi moved out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kuznetsov - that will leave a mark!
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Qasi was well out of range.
Qasi fails with the takedown.
A little feinted left hand from Kuznetsov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sloppy strikes from Qasi. Those never looked like landing.
Qasi throws a big shot that misses.
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 is looking to chop away at Kuznetsov's legs.
Qasi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuznetsov 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 scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kuznetsov doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi swings for the body but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Alexandr Kuznetsov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Qasi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Qasi will feel that in the morning.
The fighters circling - Qasi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Qasi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kuznetsov rather than just go for the knockout.
Kuznetsov lands a body shot.
Qasi staying out of range there.
Kuznetsov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A big left from Kuznetsov misses.
Qasi throws a body punch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Qasi crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kuznetsov - the referee stops the clock and Qasi gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kuznetsov. Qasi manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kuznetsov lands a jab to the head.
Kuznetsov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Qasi will feel that in the morning.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild combination.
Qasi has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Kuznetsov throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuznetsov throws an overhand right that lands on Qasi's shoulder, as Qasi tries to avoid the shot.
Kuznetsov throws out a loose jab but Qasi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the strikes.
It looked like Kuznetsov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qasi throws a big shot that misses.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild body shot.
Qasi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Qasi tries a low kick but Kuznetsov avoids it.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuznetsov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Qasi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kuznetsov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Qasi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kuznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Qasi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kuznetsov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kuznetsov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Qasi.
Kuznetsov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Qasi's sensitive parts.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that Qasi avoids nicely.
Kuznetsov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Qasi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A big right from Qasi misses.
A big left from Kuznetsov misses.
Qasi avoids the body shot from Kuznetsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Qasi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
As Qasi looks to move away, Kuznetsov throws a big counter combo but Qasi just gets out of the way.

Kuznetsov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Qasi, pushing him back against the cage.
Qasi wants to get back to striking at distance but Kuznetsov won't allow it.
Kuznetsov looking to slow down the pace here.
Kuznetsov tries a knee to the head but Qasi blocks it.
Qasi lands a shoulder strike.
Qasi lands with a right to the head.
Qasi misses with a punch on the inside.
Qasi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Qasi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Qasi misses with a punch to the body.
Qasi tries to work over Kuznetsov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Qasi manages to break the clinch.
Qasi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Qasi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Qasi throws a hook but Kuznetsov blocks it.
Qasi connects with a body shot.
Qasi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetsov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qasi throws a jab when Kuznetsov was well out of range.
Qasi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Qasi.
A cross from Kuznetsov lands.

Kuznetsov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Qasi, pushing him back against the cage.
Qasi has a couple of punches blocked by Kuznetsov.

Qasi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Qasi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Qasi gets tackled into the cage by Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov maintains the clinch.
Qasi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kuznetsov trying to control the position but instead, Qasi has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kuznetsov into the cage.
Kuznetsov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kuznetsov throws an elbow but misses.
Qasi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Qasi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Qasi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kuznetsov has him pressed against the cage.
Qasi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuznetsov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Azar Qasi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Good standup being displayed there by Qasi as he connects with a hook.
Qasi connects with a body shot.
Kuznetsov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Qasi throws a jab but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Qasi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Qasi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Qasi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Qasi throws out a powerful jab.
Kuznetsov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kuznetsov walks into a left hand.
Good exchange - Qasi coming out on top.

Kuznetsov is rocked!
Kuznetsov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuznetsov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuznetsov misses with a low kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A leg kick checked by Kuznetsov.
A little feinted left hand from Kuznetsov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Qasi missing with a left hand there. Kuznetsov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Qasi scores with a jab. Kuznetsov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Kuznetsov there.
Qasi throws a body punch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov just misses with a punch to the body.
An inside leg kick from Qasi misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Qasi blocks the leg kick.
Qasi avoids a kick to the body.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut. Qasi saw that one coming.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch up.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kuznetsov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The fighters circle momentarily. Qasi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Qasi throws a looping overhand right but Kuznetsov ducks down to avoid it.
Kuznetsov is looking to counter punch.
Qasi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov ducks under a wild hook from Qasi.
Qasi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Qasi takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Qasi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice jab there from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch there but Qasi circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qasi motions for Kuznetsov to come forward. Qasi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetsov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuznetsov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kuznetsov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Qasi misses the jab.
Kuznetsov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Qasi manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Qasi misses with a hook.
Kuznetsov defending well as Qasi loads up on a big left hand.
Qasi misses with a few strikes there.
Azar Qasi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Qasi slips under a jab.
Kuznetsov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Qasi throws out the jab.
Kuznetsov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kuznetsov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Qasi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Qasi looks to land a left hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range nicely.
Kuznetsov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Qasi lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Qasi throws a poor cross that misses
and Kuznetsov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuznetsov throws a nice looking combination but Qasi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Qasi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Qasi throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuznetsov tries to clinch there but Qasi circles away.
A punch lands to the side of Qasi 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Qasi misses with a lunging right hand
and Qasi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Qasi looks to land a right hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range.
Kuznetsov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Qasi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuznetsov misses with a few strikes there.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Qasi blocks it.
Qasi 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.
Qasi darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
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 throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Kuznetsov counter with a right hand.
Qasi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kuznetsov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Qasi is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kuznetsov's half guard.

Kuznetsov kicks Qasi off and gets back to his feet.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild combination.
Kuznetsov throws a looping overhand right but Qasi ducks down to avoid it.
Kuznetsov works the jab nicely.
Qasi connects with the punch.
Qasi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Kuznetsov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Qasi.
Kuznetsov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Qasi.
Qasi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuznetsov moves away.
Qasi misses with a looping left.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Qasi lands a nice hook to Kuznetsov's body. Kuznetsov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kuznetsov blocks a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetsov. Qasi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov throws a nice head kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Azar Qasi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kuznetsov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kuznetsov tries a head kick but it misses.
Qasi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Qasi lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kuznetsov blocks a jab.
Qasi scores with a shot to the body.
Kuznetsov throws a body punch but Qasi moves out of range.
Qasi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuznetsov manages to avoid it.
Jab, jab by Qasi - just one landing.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Qasi was well out of range.
Kuznetsov misses with a body punch
and Qasi counters with a big head kick but Kuznetsov shrugs it off.
Oh Kuznetsov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kuznetsov cracks Qasi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Qasi throws a jab when Kuznetsov was well out of range.
Qasi looks to land a right hand but Kuznetsov moved out of range.
Qasi lands with a hook. Kuznetsov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kuznetsov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Qasi. That did some damage!
Donk. Qasi catches Kuznetsov right on the button with a cross.
Kuznetsov thuds his right hand into Qasi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Qasi is looking to slow Kuznetsov down with leg kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Qasi throws a wild body kick that Kuznetsov sees coming a mile off.
Kuznetsov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Qasi misses with a body shot.
Qasi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Qasi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kuznetsov is out of range and Qasi settles back down.
Kuznetsov throwing a counter right hand but Qasi manages to avoid it.
Qasi punishes Kuznetsov's body with a nice straight punch.
Qasi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuznetsov.
Qasi throws a body shot but no joy.
Kuznetsov thuds his shin into the meat of Qasi's side.
Kuznetsov seems to have got his legs back now.
Qasi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Qasi takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kuznetsov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kuznetsov throws a jab when Qasi was well out of range.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kuznetsov!
Qasi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kuznetsov. Kuznetsov obviously looking to wear him down.
Qasi has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Qasi.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuznetsov. Qasi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuznetsov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Qasi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Qasi.
Qasi lands with a shot to the body.
Kuznetsov tries to work over Qasi's front leg with a kick but Qasi checks it.
Kuznetsov looks to score with a jab to the body but Qasi is just out of range.
Kuznetsov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Qasi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Qasi throws a chopping leg kick but Kuznetsov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Qasi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kuznetsov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kuznetsov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Qasi.
Kuznetsov tries to close the distance and clinch but Qasi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Qasi misses with a body shot.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick by Kuznetsov misses
and Qasi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kuznetsov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Qasi takes a swing at Kuznetsov's ribcage but misses.
Kuznetsov is looking to counter punch.
Jab, jab by Kuznetsov - just one landing.
Alexandr Kuznetsov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi tries to land a front kick but Kuznetsov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kuznetsov slips under a jab.
Qasi fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kuznetsov on the side of the head.
Qasi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
Qasi throws a hook but Kuznetsov avoids it easily.
It looked like Kuznetsov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Qasi.
Qasi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a hook but Qasi blocks it.

Qasi looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kuznetsov!

Kuznetsov explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetsov is looking to clinch but Qasi is avoiding it.
Kuznetsov swings for the body but Qasi moves out of range.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Qasi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Qasi throws a chopping leg kick but Kuznetsov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qasi throws an overhand right that lands on Kuznetsov's shoulder, as Kuznetsov tries to avoid the shot.
Kuznetsov lands a nice hook to Qasi's body. Qasi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Qasi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetsov tried to counter with a leg kick but Qasi avoided it.
Kuznetsov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Qasi.
Qasi throws a head kick but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Qasi swings for the body but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Qasi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Qasi tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuznetsov scores with the left hand. Qasi knows he should have avoided that one.
Qasi throws a sloppy head kick and Kuznetsov moves out of range easily.
Kuznetsov jabs Qasi right on the nose. Qasi blinks but takes it well.
Kuznetsov looks to throw the jab but Qasi is out of range.
Qasi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kuznetsov darts in and clinches Qasi up against the cage.
Qasi lands a shoulder strike.
Qasi throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuznetsov.
Azar Qasi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Azar Qasi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kuznetsov throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Kuznetsov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Azar Qasi.
I've got Qasi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alexandr Kuznetsov!