PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fahad Al Qarni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Paul Fish (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Al Qarni comes to the cage accompanied by Hells Bells. Jon Paul Fish has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Al Qarni
vs
Paul Fish

180 cm
28
187 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

186 cm
26
180 lbs
20 - 12 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Hellbent

GREEN!160

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 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fahad Al Qarni!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jon Paul Fish!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy left from Al Qarni finds it's target.
Fish ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fish swings for the body but Al Qarni moves out of range.
Fish feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Al Qarni's calf.
Fish swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A cross from Al Qarni lands.
Fish pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fish connects with a body shot.
Al Qarni lands a really nice looking cross but Fish seems unphased.
Fish blocks a jab.
Al Qarni misses with a shot to the body
and Al Qarni takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Al Qarni pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fish looks to land a right hand but Al Qarni moved out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fish scores with a jab.
Fish takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Al Qarni will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Al Qarni throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fish throws a body shot but no joy.
Jon Paul Fish is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Qarni misses with a two punch combination.
Fish walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Al Qarni dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Al Qarni fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Fish on the side of the head.
Fish gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Fish.
Fish tries to clinch up but Al Qarni circles away and keeps his distance.
Fish scores with a jab to the head.
Al Qarni shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fish defends it nicely.
No joy there for Al Qarni, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fish throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Al Qarni on the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Fish has closed the distance and engaged Al Qarni in a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Fish.
Al Qarni misses with a short punch on the inside.
Al Qarni swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fish's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fish is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Al Qarni is defending well for now.
Fish stalling against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Al Qarni.
Al Qarni lands a right hand.
Fish tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Good body shot from Fish.
Al Qarni misses with a hook from the clinch.
Al Qarni lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Al Qarni blocks a body shot from Fish.
Al Qarni dodges an elbow strike from Fish.
Fish misses with a hook to the ribs.

Al Qarni turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Al Qarni manages to end up in side control.

Al Qarni tries for a kimura but Fish is defending well.
Fish is trying to control Al Qarni's posture but Al Qarni avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fish is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Al Qarni is staying active.
Fish wants to get back to his feet but Al Qarni drags him back down.
Fish is trying to control Al Qarni's posture but Al Qarni avoids it.
Fish tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Al Qarni wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Al Qarni wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Fish, who protects the arm well.
Al Qarni looking to control but instead Fish has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

Al Qarni is looking for a kimura but Fish is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Al Qarni to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Fish tries to roll over but Al Qarni keeps him under control.

Fish manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Al Qarni keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Al Qarni being controlled against the cage.
Al Qarni lands a body shot in the clinch.
Al Qarni lands with a light punch inside.
Fish tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Al Qarni drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fish gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nice body punch from Fish - that landed with a thud.
A short right from Fish on the inside.
Fish keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Al Qarni's efforts to push away.
Al Qarni lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fish backwards.
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 Fahad Al Qarni will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Al Qarni slips a jab from Fish.
Left hook, right uppercut from Al Qarni.
Al Qarni looks to throw the jab but Fish is out of range.
Fish punishes Al Qarni's body with a nice straight punch.
Al Qarni looks for a takedown but Fish sprawls well.
Fish tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Al Qarni manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Al Qarni avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Al Qarni works the jab nicely.
Al Qarni throws a shot from downtown. Fish moves away and avoids it.
Fish wants to counter the offense by Al Qarni and move into the clinch position.
Al Qarni throws a series of punches but Fish moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Fish. No joy for Al Qarni on that attempt.
Al Qarni misses with a straight right.
Fish thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fish misses with a straight left.
It looks like Al Qarni has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Al Qarni moves out of range of the strikes.
Fahad Al Qarni is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Al Qarni tries to bum rush Fish with a series of wild strikes but Fish uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fish is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Al Qarni.
A shot to the liver by Fish. Beautiful body shot.
Fish throws a looping overhand right but Al Qarni ducks down to avoid it.
Fish throws a right and a left that Al Qarni avoids nicely.
Al Qarni misses with the combination.
Al Qarni fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fahad Al Qarni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Qarni blocks a head kick by Fish.
Fish connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Al Qarni misses with a series of wild punches.
Fish connects with a high kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Al Qarni darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Al Qarni shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fish is trying to defend but Al Qarni finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Fish has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Al Qarni is on him like a limpet, forcing Fish back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fish lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Al Qarni backwards.
Come on Fish - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Al Qarni is trying to trip Fish. He has hold of a leg but Fish is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Al Qarni persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Fish manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Fish pushes off an throws an elbow but Al Qarni leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Fish prevents a body shot from Al Qarni.
Fish content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Fish stalling.
Fish manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Al Qarni lands a body shot in the clinch.
Al Qarni lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fish creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Al Qarni on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fish misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Al Qarni.
Fish fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fish fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fish tries a body shot but Al Qarni blocks it.
Fish scores with a shot to the side of Al Qarni's head.
Fish is stalling here.
Fish presses Al Qarni against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Al Qarni breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A decent looking cross lands there for Al Qarni.
Al Qarni misses with an uppercut.
Fish leaves Al Qarni with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Al Qarni misses with a few strikes there.
Al Qarni uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fish.

Al Qarni drives through with a takedown into Fish's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Fish pushes Al Qarni off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Al Qarni throws a right hand that Fish ducks under and follows up with a left that Fish also avoids with ease.
Al Qarni throws a sloppy body shot
and Fish counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice sprawl there from Fish as Al Qarni shoots in.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fish pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Al Qarni back to the cage. Fish follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Fish moves into the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Fish as the two fighters clinch.
Al Qarni wants to get back to striking at distance but Fish won't allow it.
Fish displaying some good clinch control by pressing Al Qarni up against the cage.
Fish controlling the action here for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fish has a couple of punches blocked by Al Qarni.
Al Qarni lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fish backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Paul Fish showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Al Qarni changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fish tries to avoid it but Al Qarni manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fish to the ground. Fish escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Al Qarni is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Jab, jab by Al Qarni - just one landing.
Al Qarni dives in and grabs Fish's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fish pushes down on Al Qarni's head and hops out.
Fish throws out a counter right but Al Qarni avoids it with no problem.
Fish lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Fahad Al Qarni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fish takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Fish throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fish slips a jab and a cross from Al Qarni.
Fish is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Al Qarni throws a right hand that misses

and Fish moves into the clinch.

Al Qarni works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Fish keeping moving, preventing Al Qarni from controlling successfully.
Fish wants to sweep here but Al Qarni controlling him for the moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Al Qarni drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Fish dives on top into guard.

Fish lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Al Qarni working for a triangle but Fish defends it easily.
Fish lands a couple of elbows.
Al Qarni looking for a sweep. Not yet Al Qarni, not yet.

Fish gets to his feet. Al Qarni looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Al Qarni scores with a shot to the body.
Fish scores with a jab to the head.
Al Qarni takes a swing at Fish's ribcage but misses.
Fish wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni throws a hook but Fish blocks it.
Al Qarni looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fish is fending him off so far but Al Qarni persists. Nope, Fish circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fahad Al Qarni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fish lands a nice shot that snaps Al Qarni's head back.
Nice jab there from Fish.
A big left from Fish misses.
Al Qarni misses with a wild combination.
Al Qarni avoids a kick to the body.
Fish scores with a shot to the body.
Fish slips a straight right by Al Qarni.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fish defending well as Al Qarni loads up on a big left hand.
Al Qarni walks into a left hand.
Fish throws a jab but it's blocked by Al Qarni.
Fish is looking to clinch.
Fish ducks under a wild hook from Al Qarni.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Fish.
Al Qarni takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Fish scores with a decent looking hook.
Fish moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Fish.
Fish tries to close the distance and clinch but Al Qarni swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Al Qarni swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Fish fails with an attempt to clinch.
Al Qarni shoots in but Fish avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Al Qarni uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fish.
Fish tries to close the distance and clinch but Al Qarni swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Al Qarni throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fish scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Fish avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fish! But no joy.
Al Qarni throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fish uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Al Qarni.
Fish throws out a powerful jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fish scores with a body shot.
Fish tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Al Qarni ducks under a wild hook from Fish.
An attempted straight right counter from Al Qarni misses the target.
Al Qarni stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Fish.
Fish throws a half hearted mid kick.
Fish is looking to land body kicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Al Qarni. Fish does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fish stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Al Qarni throws a jab but it's blocked by Fish.
A slow jab from Fish misses its intended target.
Al Qarni misses with a body shot.
Al Qarni avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Al Qarni. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Al Qarni.
Al Qarni rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fish moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Paul Fish really 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.

Good shot there by Al Qarni.
Al Qarni throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fish tries to counter by closing the distance.
Fish uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Al Qarni has time to react.
Fish throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Al Qarni lands a right hook to the body.
Al Qarni shoots for a double leg takedown but Fish sprawls well. He's pushed Al Qarni's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fish is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Al Qarni avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Al Qarni takes one on the button.
Fish is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Al Qarni shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Fish kicks off Al Qarni and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Qarni swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Al Qarni displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fish throws out the jab.
Al Qarni is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Fish throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Decent striking displayed by Fish there.

Fish moves into the clinch.
Fish prevents a body shot from Al Qarni.
Al Qarni misses with the head strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Fish.
Al Qarni scores with a nice hook to the head.
Al Qarni working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Al Qarni working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fish throws an elbow but it misses.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Fish takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Al Qarni throws a head punch that misses.
Al Qarni lands a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fish blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fish creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Al Qarni's defenses.
Fish putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Al Qarni in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Fish is struggling to control the position.

Al Qarni's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Al Qarni loads up on a big right hand but Fish slips the punch.
Fish tried to score with a low kick but Al Qarni checks it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Fish darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Fish pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Fish moves away from the strike by Al Qarni.
Al Qarni paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Fish looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Qarni is just out of range.
A jab from Al Qarni misses.
Al Qarni fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fish was well out of range. Poor timing from Al Qarni.
No luck for Al Qarni with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fahad Al Qarni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Al Qarni needs to keep his hands up - Fish had a free shot at his head there.
Al Qarni lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Some wild striking there from Al Qarni.
Fish turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Al Qarni throws a lazy right hand but Fish sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Al Qarni 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.
Fish fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Fish misses with an uppercut. Al Qarni saw that one coming.
A slow jab from Fish misses its intended target.
Al Qarni scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fish closes the distance and pushes Al Qarni back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fish controlling the action here for a moment.
Al Qarni avoiding damage as Fish throws knees to the body.
Al Qarni looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Fish blocks an uppercut.
Al Qarni misses with a short punch on the inside.
Al Qarni lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fish backwards.
Al Qarni goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fish prevents it.
Fish fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Al Qarni blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Al Qarni gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Fish throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jon Paul Fish has got the better of the ground game so far.

Al Qarni lying in Fish's guard like a wet fish here, stalling away. Fish decides he's had enough of all that nonsense - he escapes his hips and locks up an armbar! Wow, that was slick! Al Qarni taps! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jon Paul Fish!
Jon Paul Fish is the new welterweight champion!
A relieved looking Jon Paul Fish thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.