PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ale Cali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zalmai Qazi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Qazi has chosen "Arab Americans" by Jim Johnston as his entrance music. Zalmai Qazi is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cali
vs
Qazi

167 cm
26
140 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

172 cm
27
130 lbs
0 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ale Cali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zalmai Qazi!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Qazi rushes Cali and presses him up against the cage.
Qazi looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Cali is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Qazi can't fight it off and eventually Cali manages to take the fight to the floor. Qazi looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cali sitting in guard here, content to control.
Cali pushes down on Qazi's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cali stalling.

Cali is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Qazi is just riding it out for now. Cali eventually gives up the hold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cali works his way into full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cali is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Qazi is surviving well by controlling Cali's body position as best he can.
Cali controlling from the full mount.
Cali working Qazi over with strikes here.
Cali definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Cali working the ground and pound effectively.
Cali has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Qazi's face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cali controlling the pace for now.

Cali working for a guillotine from mount but Qazi is in no mood to give up.
Cali pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Cali with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cali takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Cali lands a heavy elbow.

Cali goes for an armbar but Qazi turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Qazi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cali looking for a sweep. Not yet Cali, not yet.

Cali is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Qazi rolls with it to try and escape but Cali cranks on the arm and Qazi is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ale Cali!
Ale Cali took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.