PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Espo Jaksinen (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! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Jaksinen
vs
Qasi

182 cm
21
169 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
166 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Big Bear Nutrition 160Q
Arcticus

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Espo Jaksinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Azar Qasi!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Eddie Farnsworth and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Qasi shoots and misses
and Jaksinen counters with an outside leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Jaksinen.
Jaksinen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Qasi.
Jaksinen looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Qasi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Espo Jaksinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Azar Qasi.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Qasi.
Jaksinen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jaksinen wants it to stay on the feet.
Qasi misses with a body punch

and Jaksinen counters by moving into the clinch.
Jaksinen stalls.
Qasi is working for takedown but Jaksinen is calmly controlling the position for now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Qasi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jaksinen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Qasi's defenses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Jaksinen.
Qasi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Qasi lands with a left to the head.
Qasi can't get the takedown.
Jaksinen lands a body shot.
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!
Jaksinen lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi goes for a takedown attempt but Jaksinen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Qasi fails with the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Jaksinen. No joy for Qasi on that attempt.
Qasi dives in and grabs Jaksinen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jaksinen pushes down on Qasi's head and hops out.
Jaksinen stuffs the takedown.
Jaksinen feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Jaksinen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Jaksinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Qasi moves away.
Azar Qasi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Qasi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Qasi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Jaksinen is just riding it out for now. Qasi eventually gives up the hold.
Qasi is trying to control the action in half guard but Jaksinen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jaksinen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Qasi is working away from the top position though.

Qasi is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen has his hands clasped together around Qasi's back. He's all about the action.
Qasi is trying to control the action in half guard but Jaksinen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Jaksinen's coaches at Altaca gym have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Jaksinen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Jaksinen tries to get out of the position.
Jaksinen is looking to improve his position.
Jaksinen gets back to full guard.
Qasi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jaksinen is controlling Qasi's posture.
Qasi wants to control from the top but Jaksinen keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jaksinen is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Qasi trying to control but Jaksinen is working from the bottom.
Qasi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jaksinen has his hands on Qasi's head, controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Qasi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Qasi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Jaksinen is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qasi prevents Jaksinen from improving his position.
Jaksinen is controlling Qasi's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Qasi looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Jaksinen trying to control here.

Qasi looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Qasi seems to be looking for submissions.
Jaksinen is trying to control but can't.
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 Espo Jaksinen will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Qasi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Qasi tries for a takedown but Jaksinen circles away easily
and Jaksinen counters with an inside leg kick.
Azar Qasi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Qasi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jaksinen circles away.
Espo Jaksinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Azar Qasi.
Qasi loads up on a big right hand but Jaksinen slips the punch.
Jaksinen half committed to a counter leg kick.
Jaksinen lands with a cross.
Jaksinen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Qasi can do to turn this around?
Qasi checks a leg kick.
Jaksinen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Qasi slips a jab from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Qasi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Qasi is trying to get an arm triangle but Jaksinen is defending well.
Qasi working away.
Jaksinen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaksinen is trying to control Qasi's posture but Qasi avoids it.

Qasi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Jaksinen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Jaksinen trying to control but Qasi flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!

Qasi is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Jaksinen is trying to break free.
Jaksinen trying to control the hands but Qasi breaks the grip.
Jaksinen turns into Qasi and is now in his guard.
Qasi looking for a sweep. Not yet Qasi, not yet.
Jaksinen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Qasi looking to control.
Azar Qasi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jaksinen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen passes Qasi's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi is looking for a sweep. Jaksinen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jaksinen trying to control from half guard but Qasi is working away.
Jaksinen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Qasi is looking to improve his position.
Jaksinen controlling the action here.
Qasi trying to control here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Qasi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jaksinen pulls his head out easily.
Jaksinen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

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 shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Jaksinen counters with a straight right hand.
Jaksinen is looking to score with low kicks.

Qasi tries to keep at a distance but Jaksinen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Jaksinen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Qasi backwards.

Jaksinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jaksinen wants to land a leg kick but Qasi is out of range.

Qasi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Qasi lands in his opponent's guard.
Jaksinen has Qasi pulled in close to control his posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jaksinen keeping full guard, as Qasi tries to pass.
Jaksinen is pulling down on Qasi's head to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Espo Jaksinen will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!

Qasi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
It looked like Jaksinen was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Qasi.
Qasi tries for a takedown but Jaksinen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Qasi tries for a takedown but Jaksinen circles away easily
and Jaksinen counters with a straight right hand.
Jaksinen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Qasi moves out of range of the body kick.
Jaksinen throws a head kick but Qasi moves out of range.
Qasi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Espo Jaksinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Azar Qasi.
Jaksinen tries to clinch but Qasi is having none of it.
Qasi is looking for the big counter here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jaksinen lands with an overhand left.
Qasi goes for a double leg but Jaksinen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jaksinen continues to drive forward.
Qasi shoots for a double leg takedown but Jaksinen sprawls well. He's pushed Qasi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jaksinen is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Qasi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Jaksinen but Jaksinen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Espo Jaksinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Qasi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A good leg kick by Jaksinen.
Qasi dives in and grabs Jaksinen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jaksinen pushes down on Qasi's head and hops out.
Qasi doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Jaksinen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Qasi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jaksinen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Jaksinen lands a hook that snaps the head of Qasi backwards.

Jaksinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jaksinen connects with a nice looking jab.
Jaksinen blocks a jab.
Jaksinen throws a jab when Qasi was well out of range.
Jaksinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Jaksinen rushes Qasi and presses him up against the cage.
Qasi misses with a punch on the inside.
Qasi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Azar Qasi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Espo Jaksinen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qasi can't get the takedown.
Jaksinen is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Qasi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Qasi looking for a takedown.
Jaksinen stops a takedown attempt from Qasi.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jaksinen gets underhooks to prevent Qasi's takedown attempt.
Qasi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jaksinen prevents it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Jaksinen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Qasi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Jaksinen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Jaksinen lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi wants a takedown.
Qasi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jaksinen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Jaksinen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Qasi has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Jaksinen after a bit of a struggle.
Jaksinen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Qasi backwards.
Jaksinen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Qasi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jaksinen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jaksinen lands a body shot in the clinch.
Qasi goes for a takedown attempt but Jaksinen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Qasi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jaksinen swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Qasis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A jab from Jaksinen does it's job there.
A jab from Jaksinen does it's job there.
Qasi fails with the takedown.
A chopping leg kick lands by Jaksinen.
Jaksinen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jaksinen connects with a leg kick. Qasi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Jaksinen lands the left hand.
A combination from Qasi does no damage.
Jaksinen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Qasi's calf.
Qasi shoots for a takedown but Jaksinen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Qasi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jaksinen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Jaksinen lands an overhand right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Espo Jaksinen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jaksinen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:26
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:26
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Espo Jaksinen!
A victorious Espo Jaksinen thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.