PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Qasim Azam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Williams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rick Williams has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Qasim Azam's chin.

Azam
vs
Williams

183 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Qasim Azam!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rick Williams!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Ian Loll and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Williams fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Azam moves in looking to clinch but Williams pushes him off.
Williams shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Azam sprawls well. Azam wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Williams gets slowly back to his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Azam.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Azam.
Williams tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Azam counters with a nice leg kick.

Williams drives through and clinches with Azam against the cage.
Azam scores with a hook to the body.
Azam tries to pull guard but Williams won't allow it.
Azam wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Azam breaks the clinch.
Azam tries to score a power double leg takedown but Williams sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Azam somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Qasim Azam. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Williams shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Azam manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Azam is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Azam is adopting a defensive guard.
Williams wants to control from the top but Azam keeps moving.
Williams looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Williams stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Williams wants it to stay on the feet.
Azam misses with a series of wild punches.
Azam pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Azam swats away the attempt to clinch by Williams.

Williams scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
It looks like Williams is going to stand back up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Azam works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azam looking to control but Williams passes into half guard.
Williams sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Azam defending well though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Williams is looking to take a break and control but Azam is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Azam has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Williams is working away from the top position though.
Azam throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azam is looking to control Williams's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Azam avoid being mounted?
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Williams frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Azam is breathing heavily.
Azam is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Williams lands a heavy elbow.
Williams prevents Azam from getting the reversal.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Williams looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Williams controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Williams dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Williams has Azam up against the cage in a clinch.
The referee calls for Azam to work.
Williams misses with a body punch.
Azam misses with a punch on the inside.
Azam controlling the action here for a moment.
Azam wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Azam fails to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Williams gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Williams trying to control but Azam is working from the bottom.
Williams postures up.
Williams pushing down on Azam's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Azam looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Williams is trying to control the action in half guard but Azam is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rick Williams has got the better of the ground game so far.
Williams is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Azam!
Williams looking to control but Azam is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Williams controlling the pace for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azam working to try and regain half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Williams lands a big shot there that rocks Azam but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Williams lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Azam is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Azam is working hard here to advance position.
Williams controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azam is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Williams fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
BOOM! Williams connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Williams looking to control and managing it successfully.
Azam is working to get back to half guard.
Azam wants to control but Williams is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams dominating with strikes here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Williams tries to control but Azam wriggling away.
Williams punishing his opponent with strikes.
A big strike lands for Williams! That's really hurt Azam and he's turned his back - Williams keeps firing away and the ref dives in to stop the fight! Williams jumps to his feet to celebrate the victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rick Williams!