PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jao Saoul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Szinja Qoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Qoki has chosen Japaaaan as his entrance music. Jao Saoul has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Saoul
vs
Qoki

175 cm
24
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

170 cm
24
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jao Saoul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Szinja Qoki!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Columbo Gatti and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saoul lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Qoki circles away quickly and effectively.
Good shot there by Saoul.
Saoul lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Qoki circles away quickly and effectively.
Saoul lands a two punch combo.
Qoki on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Qoki fails with a takedown attempt.

Saoul has Qoki up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saoul stalling the fight.
Saoul softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Saoul creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Saoul creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Saoul presses Qoki against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Qoki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Saoul lands with a right to the head.
Come on Saoul - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A right handed body shot lands from Saoul.
A shot in the inside from Saoul.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qoki tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Saoul just stands there and leans against the cage.
Saoul lands a right hand that snaps the head of Qoki backwards.
Qoki tries to pull guard but Saoul won't allow it.
Jao Saoul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Szinja Qoki.
Saoul misses with a punch on the inside.
Saoul is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Saoul lands a nice uppercut.
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!
Saoul lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Qoki tries for a takedown. No joy.
Qoki looks winded!
Saoul lands a left hand.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Saoul.
Saoul gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Saoul stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saoul works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Qoki tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Saoul manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Saoul lands a body shot.
Saoul slows down the pace here.
Saoul lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Qoki backwards.
Qoki takes a shot to the head.
Qoki tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Saoul smiles and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qoki takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Saoul is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Jao Saoul seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saoul scores with a body shot.
Saoul throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Qoki looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Saoul keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Saoul clinches.
Saoul avoiding damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saoul lands on the inside with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jao Saoul dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Saoul lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A jab from Saoul does it's job there.
Jao Saoul is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Saoul moves into the clinch.
Qoki tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Saoul is trying to stall.
Qoki tries to pull guard but Saoul forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qoki's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Saoul lands a nice uppercut.
Qoki is breathing heavily.
Saoul lands with a left to the head.
Saoul trying to stall but Qoki improves his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saoul tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Saoul just leaning against Qoki, taking a breather.
Saoul lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Qoki.
A short uppercut from Saoul.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Saoul.
Saoul is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Qoki can do to turn this around?

Qoki pulls guard effortlessly.
Saoul has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Qoki is proving hard to escape from.

Qoki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Saoul gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Saoul wanted to stand there but Qoki had control of the position.

Saoul gets to his feet. Qoki looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Saoul rushes Qoki and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qoki jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Saoul walks away with a smile on his face. Qoki gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jao Saoul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Szinja Qoki.

Oooooh!!! Saoul has knocked Qoki down with a huge combo! Saoul steps away and waves a wobbly Qoki back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Qoki is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saoul throws a shot to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Saoul is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Saoul stalling against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qoki tries to pull guard but Saoul holds him up against the cage and eventually Qoki drops back down to his feet.
Still in the clinch, Saoul scores with a nice short uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Saoul lands a body shot.
Saoul stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qoki tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Saoul smiles and moves away.
Saoul lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Qoki at a distance.

Saoul moves into the clinch.
Qoki tries to pull guard but Saoul forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Saoul scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saoul content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Jao Saoul has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Saoul pushes Qoki back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Saoul lands a left hand that snaps the head of Qoki backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jao Saoul dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Saoul forces Qoki back against the cage and clinches.
Qoki blocks a body shot from Saoul.
Saoul stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Saoul lands with a light punch inside.
Qoki looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Saoul pushes Qoki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Saoul scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Saoul goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A hook to the body from Saoul.
Saoul misses with a body punch.
Saoul just leaning against Qoki, taking a breather.
Qoki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Qoki has Saoul pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Saoul manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qoki tries to pull guard but Saoul holds him up against the cage and eventually Qoki drops back down to his feet.
Saoul lands a body shot in the clinch.
Saoul lands a body shot in the clinch.
Saoul lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Qoki.
Saoul pushes Qoki back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Good body shot from Saoul.
Saoul lands with a right to the head.
Saoul lands a hook that snaps the head of Qoki backwards.
Saoul content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Saoul stalling in the clinch but Qoki improves position.
Saoul avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saoul dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Saoul for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Saoul stalls.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jao Saoul.
Saoul uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nice cross by Saoul.
Saoul connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Qoki's hands.
Qoki is still on wobbly legs! Can Saoul finish him?
Qoki walks straight into a right hand from Saoul - that's dropped him! Saoul jumps into mount and starts pounding away - can he finish?! More strikes go undefended and the referee has to dive in to save Qoki from any more punishment! Qoki complains about the stoppage but falls over as he tries to stand back up, so it was clearly a good stoppage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Jao Saoul!
Szinja Qoki was interviewed post fight and said 'Not this time!'.