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 has chosen For Whom The Bell Tolls as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jaksinen
vs
Qasi

182 cm
24
169 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

180 cm
22
166 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

GREEN!160
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 9 - 3 - 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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Azar Qasi!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Chad Campbell and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jaksinen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Qasi circles away quickly and effectively.
Qasi stuns Jaksinen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A big right from Jaksinen misses.
Qasi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Jaksinen avoids the body shot from Qasi.
Jaksinen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jaksinen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Qasi fails to land with a series of punches.
Some wild striking there from Jaksinen.
Qasi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Qasi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Jaksinen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Jaksinen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Qasi to score with a decent uppercut.
Qasi looks to land a combination but Jaksinen avoids it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Qasi misses with an uppercut. Jaksinen saw that one coming.
Qasi slips under a jab from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Jaksinen moves out of range as Qasi strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Jaksinen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jaksinen lands with a nice body punch.
Qasi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Jaksinen counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi misses with a left hand
and Jaksinen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jaksinen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jaksinen lands with a good body shot.
Some wild striking there from Qasi.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Qasi connects with a right hand. Jaksinen shakes it off.
Jaksinen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Qasi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jaksinen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Qasi.
Jaksinen is looking to slow Qasi down with leg kicks.
Jaksinen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Qasi misses with a few strikes there.
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 on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Qasi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Qasi looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Jaksinen!
Jaksinen holds on to Qasi's head and controls the position momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen tries to buck Qasi off but Qasi is having none of it.
Jaksinen is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Jaksinen's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Jaksinen is trying to control Qasi's posture but Qasi avoids it.

Qasi tries for a kimura but Jaksinen is defending well.

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 wants to control but Qasi postures up.

Qasi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Jaksinen has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi working away.

Qasi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Jaksinen gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Jaksinen is not content to let Qasi control the position.
Jaksinen trying to hold on to Qasi's head to control him but Qasi postures up.
Jaksinen gets back to full guard.
Jaksinen wants to stand and escape but Qasi is having none of it.
Jaksinen keeping moving, preventing Qasi from controlling successfully.
Jaksinen pulls Qasi in to control the position.
My spies in Bullet Proof Dungeon inform me that Qasi has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Qasi postures up in Jaksinen's guard and throws a big left but Jaksinen blocks it.
Jaksinen is trying to keep Qasi in close.
Qasi wants to control from the top but Jaksinen keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Qasi digs a good body shot into Jaksinen's ribs.
Qasi slips a jab and a cross from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Qasi.
Jaksinen fails to land with a series of punches.
Jaksinen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Qasi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A lazy left from Qasi finds it's target.
Jaksinen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
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.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Qasi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Espo Jaksinen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Qasi takes a swing at Jaksinen's ribcage but misses.
Jaksinen staying out of range there.
Jaksinen looks to land a left hand but Qasi moved out of range nicely.
Qasi throws a series of punches but Jaksinen moves out of range.
Qasi misses with an uppercut. Jaksinen saw that one coming.
Jaksinen misses with a straight left.
Jaksinen throws a jab when Qasi was well out of range.
Qasi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Qasi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jaksinen looks to land a right hand but Qasi moved out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Qasi! But no joy.
Qasi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Qasi slips a straight right by Jaksinen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jaksinen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Qasi to score with a decent uppercut.

Qasi feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jaksinen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Qasi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jaksinen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Qasi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaksinen trying to keep a closed guard but Qasi is proving a slippery customer.
Qasi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Qasi stands and throws Jaksinen's legs to the side, diving into side control.

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 sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Qasi is thwarting Jaksinen's attempts to control the position.
Qasi works his foot free and advances to mount.
Jaksinen wants to control but Qasi is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qasi wants to control the pace but Jaksinen is squirming around nicely.
Jaksinen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Azar Qasi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jaksinen slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Qasi is on top in guard.

Qasi drops back looking for a leg! Jaksinen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Jaksinen manages to kick Qasi off! Qasi jumps back into Jaksinen's guard.
Jaksinen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jaksinen seems keen to control Qasi's posture.
Qasi wants to control from the top but Jaksinen keeps moving.
Jaksinen is pulling down on Qasi's head to control his posture.

Qasi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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.
Qasi is looking to work some ground and pound but Jaksinen has wrist control.
Jaksinen is trying to keep Qasi in close.
Qasi tries to free his leg and advance position but Jaksinen is retaining full guard.
Jaksinen has control of Qasi's left arm, preventing Qasi from doing any damage.
Qasi trying to control but Jaksinen is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A slapping leg kick lands for Jaksinen.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A big right from Jaksinen misses.
A slow jab from Qasi misses its intended target.
Qasi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Azar Qasi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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 cracks Jaksinen with an open hand slap.
Jaksinen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Qasi.
Qasi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Qasi tests Jaksinen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Qasi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Qasi.
Qasi is looking for the big counter here.
Jaksinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Qasi.
Qasi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jaksinen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Qasi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Jaksinen counters with a stiff right hand.
Jaksinen misses with a looping left.
Jaksinen wants to clinch up but Qasi keeps it at a distance.
Jaksinen ducks under a wild hook from Qasi.
Jaksinen slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qasi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jaksinen.
Jaksinen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Azar Qasi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jaksinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Qasi was well out of range. Poor timing from Jaksinen.
A shot to the liver by Qasi. Beautiful body shot.
Jaksinen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Qasi lands with a straight right. Jaksinen didn't see that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaksinen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Qasi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Qasi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Qasi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A punch combination from Qasi misses.
Jaksinen seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Jaksinen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Qasi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jaksinen defends well and Qasi ends up having to push Jaksinen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Qasi lands an overhand right.
Jaksinen throws the left hand but Qasi avoids the punch easily.
Qasi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jaksinen.
Qasi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jaksinen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Qasi's calf.
Qasi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Qasi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Qasi with a jab.
Espo Jaksinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Qasi.
Qasi darts in looking for a takedown but Jaksinen gets double underhooks and turns Qasi into the cage.

Qasi closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Jaksinen's guard.
Qasi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jaksinen is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Jaksinen has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Jaksinen working a defensive guard here.
Jaksinen keeping moving, preventing Qasi from controlling successfully.

Qasi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi tries to free his leg and advance position but Jaksinen is retaining full guard.

Qasi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Qasi postures up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Qasi thuds his right hand into Jaksinen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Jaksinen jabs at Qasi's body.
Qasi takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Qasi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Jaksinen under the eye.
Qasi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen throws a jab when Qasi was well out of range.
Qasi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Jaksinen slips a jab and a cross from Qasi.
An inside leg kick lands from Jaksinen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qasi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Qasi.

Qasi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
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!
A control attempt from Jaksinen but he's now mounted!
Jaksinen can't escape the position.

Qasi is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Jaksinen has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Jaksinen!
Jaksinen controlling from the top position.
Jaksinen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Qasi wants to improve his position but instead Jaksinen has moved into half guard.
Azar Qasi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jaksinen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Qasi defending well though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Azar Qasi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Qasi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Azar Qasi!
Our winner, Azar Qasi, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.