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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lefteris Papaioanou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Qasem Suleimani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Suleimani has chosen Busta Rhymes - Arab Money as his entrance music. Qasem Suleimani has the eye of the tiger tonight.
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| 190 cm
28
205 lbs
13 - 3 - 0 |
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186 cm
26
204 lbs
14 - 5 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight 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 Las Vegas, Lefteris Papaioanou!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Qasem Suleimani!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Papaioanou keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Suleimani.
A big right from Papaioanou misses.
Suleimani throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
We've been hearing reports that Papaioanou has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Suleimani tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A jab from Suleimani misses.
Papaioanou throws a leg kick that misses.
Suleimani tries to score with a low kick but Papaioanou moves his leg out of the way.
Papaioanou tries a head kick but it misses.
Papaioanou scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Papaioanou thows a left - swing and a miss!
Papaioanou misses with the combination.
Suleimani was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Suleimani throws a nice outside leg kick.
Papaioanou slips a straight right by Suleimani.
Suleimani throws a shot to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Papaioanou throws a big shot that misses.
Papaioanou throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Suleimani counters with a nice uppercut.
Papaioanou checks a low kick from Suleimani.
Papaioanou lands a body shot.
Suleimani checks the leg kick.
Papaioanou ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Papaioanou lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Suleimani keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Papaioanou looks to score with a jab to the body but Suleimani is just out of range.
Suleimani moves into range and connects with a jab.
Papaioanou displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Suleimani throws out the jab.
Suleimani throws a looping overhand right but Papaioanou ducks down to avoid it.
Papaioanou takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Papaioanou takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Papaioanou throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Papaioanou slips under a jab from Suleimani.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suleimani tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Papaioanou is able to avoid easily.
Suleimani with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Papaioanou looks to score with a jab to the body but Suleimani is just out of range.
Suleimani looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Suleimani ducks under a wild hook from Papaioanou.
Papaioanou blocks a jab.
Lefteris Papaioanou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Papaioanou throws a hook but Suleimani blocks it.
We've been informed that Suleimani has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Suleimani slips under a jab from Papaioanou.
And Suleimani responds with a good body kick, but Papaioanou manages to step out the way in time.
Papaioanou steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Suleimani.
Suleimani just misses with a punch to the body.
Suleimani misses with a left hand
and Papaioanou counters with a good, hard body kick but Suleimani shrugs it off.
Qasem Suleimani is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Suleimani throws the left hand but Papaioanou avoids the punch easily.
Suleimani throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A counter left hand to the body from Papaioanou misses its target.
Suleimani throws a head kick but Papaioanou moves out of range.
Papaioanou throws a poor cross that misses
and Suleimani counters with a straight right hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papaioanou on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Suleimani. Suleimani obviously looking to wear him down.
Papaioanou pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Suleimani lands a nice hook to Papaioanou's body. Papaioanou takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Suleimani digs a good hook to Papaioanou's body.
Papaioanou plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Papaioanou dips to his left and cracks Suleimani with an uppercut!
Papaioanou misses with a straight left.
Papaioanou works over Suleimani's head and body with a nice combination.
Suleimani keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Suleimani doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Papaioanou drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body kick there by Suleimani.
Nice uppercut there from Suleimani.
Papaioanou throws a right and a left that both miss.
Papaioanou misses with a hook to the body
and Suleimani counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Papaioanou misses with a left hand
and Suleimani counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Suleimani misses with a hook.
Papaioanou misses with a body shot.
Papaioanou swings away with a body shot that misses
and Suleimani counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Papaioanou misses with a hook
and Suleimani counters with an inside leg kick.
Papaioanou throws a leg kick but Suleimani sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Suleimani lands a nice leg kick that just misses Papaioanou's sensitive parts.
Papaioanou on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Papaioanou, as that shot connected.
A jab from Suleimani does it's job there.
Papaioanou ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Suleimani moves away.
Papaioanou scoring well with a low kick there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Suleimani takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Papaioanou fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Papaioanou throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Qasem Suleimani 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.
Suleimani on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Papaioanou. Papaioanou obviously looking to wear him down.
Papaioanou misses with a hook. Suleimani ducked under it nicely.
Suleimani defending well as Papaioanou loads up on a big left hand.
Papaioanou misses with a straight right.
Suleimani doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A lazy left from Suleimani finds it's target.
Suleimani scores with a jab to the head.
Papaioanou throws a jab when Suleimani was well out of range.
Papaioanou moves away from the strike by Suleimani.
Papaioanou looks to land a left hand but Suleimani moved out of range nicely.
Qasem Suleimani seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Suleimani takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Suleimani is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Suleimani throws a wild body kick that Papaioanou sees coming a mile off.
Suleimani misses with an uppercut
and Papaioanou counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Papaioanou throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Papaioanou misses with a hook
and Suleimani counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Papaioanou takes a swing at Suleimani's ribcage but misses.
Papaioanou clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Papaioanou fails to land.
Suleimani gets underhooks to prevent Papaioanou's takedown attempt.
Papaioanou swings wildly with an uppercut but Suleimani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Suleimani blocks an uppercut.
Suleimani pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Papaioanou scores with a sloppy right hand. Suleimani should have avoided that one.
Suleimani moves out of range as Papaioanou strikes.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Suleimani. Papaioanou shrugs it off though.
Suleimani keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Suleimani lands a jab to the head.
Suleimani checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suleimani looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Papaioanou slips under a jab from Suleimani.
Papaioanou is looking to counter punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Papaioanou loads up on a big right hand but Suleimani slips the punch.
Papaioanou with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Suleimani to score with a decent uppercut.
Papaioanou throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Suleimani makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Suleimani ducks under a wild hook from Papaioanou.
Papaioanou dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Papaioanou ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Suleimani moves away.
Suleimani is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Papaioanou with a body shot.
Suleimani slips a jab from Papaioanou.
A little jabbing left from Suleimani on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Suleimani walks into a straight right hand from Papaioanou.
Suleimani lands a slapping body shot.
Papaioanou slips under a jab from Suleimani.
Suleimani swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Suleimani lets loose with a powerful body kick. Papaioanou will feel that in the morning.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Suleimani lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papaioanou tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Suleimani swivels and escapes.
Suleimani lands a nice shot to the body.
Suleimani throws a right and a left that Papaioanou avoids nicely.
Papaioanou throws a lazy uppercut
and Suleimani counters with a nice body shot.
Papaioanou throws a lazy uppercut
and Suleimani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Papaioanou checks a low kick from Suleimani.
Suleimani buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Suleimani connects with a body shot.
Papaioanou misses with a shot to the body
and Suleimani counters with a stiff right hand.
Suleimani bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Papaioanou tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Suleimani was well out of range. Poor timing from Papaioanou.
A good leg kick by Suleimani.
Papaioanou throws a hook to the side of Suleimani's head but Suleimani sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Papaioanou walks forward, straight into a front kick from Suleimani.
Papaioanou is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Suleimani moves out of range as Papaioanou strikes.
Papaioanou throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Suleimani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Suleimani scores with a body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Suleimani misses the target.
Papaioanou takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Papaioanou lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Suleimani has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Suleimani and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Papaioanou throws a chopping leg kick but Suleimani manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Papaioanou will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Papaioanou throws a low kick but it's checked well by Suleimani.
Papaioanou looks to score with a jab to the body but Suleimani is just out of range.
Papaioanou keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Suleimani throws a low kick but Papaioanou moves out of range easily.
Suleimani uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Papaioanou.
Suleimani looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Suleimani throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Papaioanou misses with a straight right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Qasem Suleimani showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!
Papaioanou misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice straight punches there by Papaioanou. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Papaioanou.
Suleimani with a nice cross.
Papaioanou lands a two punch combo.
Papaioanou swings for the body but Suleimani moves out of range.
Suleimani now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Nice cross by Suleimani.
Papaioanou throws a series of punches but Suleimani moves out of range.
Suleimani ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Papaioanou throws a right hand that misses
and Suleimani counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A nice leg kick lands there from Suleimani.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Suleimani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Papaioanou shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Papaioanou avoids the head kick by Suleimani.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Papaioanou bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Good exchange - Suleimani coming out on top.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Suleimani as he checks the leg kick.
Papaioanou uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Papaioanou throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Suleimani appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Papaioanou is defended easily by Suleimani.
Papaioanou doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Suleimani on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A jab from Suleimani misses.
Suleimani connects with a jab.
Suleimani misses with a right hand
and Papaioanou counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suleimani digs a good hook to Papaioanou's body.
Papaioanou takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Suleimani uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Papaioanou.
Suleimani ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Papaioanou moves out of range of the strikes.
Papaioanou swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Papaioanou ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Suleimani moves away.
A countering left hand to the body from Suleimani misses.
Suleimani throws the left hand but Papaioanou avoids the punch easily.
Papaioanou scores with a sloppy right hand. Suleimani should have avoided that one.
A lazy left from Suleimani finds it's target.
Suleimani uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Papaioanou.
Suleimani connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Suleimani throws a wild body kick that Papaioanou sees coming a mile off.
Suleimani jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Papaioanou misses with a low kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papaioanou chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Suleimani can pounce on him.
Papaioanou throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Suleimani swings for the body but Papaioanou moves out of range.
Suleimani steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Papaioanou.
Suleimani waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Papaioanou.
Papaioanou throws a right hand that Suleimani ducks under and follows up with a left that Suleimani also avoids with ease.
Suleimani misses with a looping left.
Papaioanou swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A looping hook to the body misses from Suleimani. Papaioanou does a little dance to reset his feet.
Suleimani digs a good hook to Papaioanou's body.
Papaioanou looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Suleimani lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Papaioanou throws a leg kick but Suleimani moved away.
Papaioanou throws an off balance right hand
and Papaioanou takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Suleimani changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Suleimani scores with a nice strike.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Suleimani pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Suleimani has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Papaioanou tries to close the distance and clinch but Suleimani swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Suleimani raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Papaioanou gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Suleimani connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Suleimani fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Papaioanou throws a hook but Suleimani blocks it.
Suleimani scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Papaioanou doesn't seem bothered though.
Papaioanou takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Suleimani looks to land a body kick but Papaioanou moved away.
Papaioanou throwing a counter right hand but Suleimani manages to avoid it.
Papaioanou jabs Suleimani right on the nose. Suleimani blinks but takes it well.
Papaioanou throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Suleimani steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Papaioanou.
Suleimani flicks out a counter leg kick but Papaioanou steps away.
Papaioanou clinches with his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Qasem Suleimani really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Suleimani throws a low kick, looking for Papaioanou's leg but Papaioanou calmly moves out of range.
Papaioanou misses with an uppercut. Suleimani saw that one coming.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Suleimani! But no joy.
Papaioanou is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Papaioanou throws a nice outside leg kick.
Papaioanou throws a body punch but Suleimani moves out of range.
Suleimani misses with a straight left.
An inside leg kick from Papaioanou misses.
Papaioanou has his takedown stuffed
and Suleimani counters with a leg kick.
Papaioanou rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Suleimani counters with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Papaioanou slips under a jab from Suleimani.
Papaioanou swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Suleimani throws a body shot but no joy.
Good shot there by Suleimani.
Suleimani thuds a left hand into Papaioanou's body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Suleimani misses with a straight right.
Suleimani lands a front kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Suleimani. That's going to slow Papaioanou down.
Suleimani slips a jab from Papaioanou.
Nice body punch from Suleimani.
Papaioanou lands a slapping body shot.
Papaioanou throws a hook but Suleimani avoids it easily.
Suleimani punishes Papaioanou's body with a nice straight punch.
Papaioanou swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Suleimani counters with a nice uppercut.
Suleimani takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Suleimani throws a body punch but Papaioanou moves out of range.
Suleimani throws a lazy right hand but Papaioanou sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Suleimani scores with a kick to the midsection.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suleimani fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Papaioanou has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Papaioanou scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Suleimani keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Suleimani swats away the attempt to clinch by Papaioanou.
Papaioanou throws a looping overhand right but Suleimani ducks down to avoid it.
Papaioanou rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Papaioanou takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Papaioanou pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Suleimani loads up on a big right hand but Papaioanou slips the punch.
Papaioanou lands a nice shot to the body.
Suleimani keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Papaioanou.
Suleimani thows a left - swing and a miss!
Suleimani steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Papaioanou.
Papaioanou slips a straight right by Suleimani.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Suleimani.
Suleimani with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Papaioanou throws a left and a right that both miss
and Suleimani counters with a good low kick that Papaioanou was not able to check.
Suleimani scores with a nice strike.
The fighters circling - Suleimani throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Papaioanou connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Suleimani lands a nice leg kick that just misses Papaioanou's sensitive parts.
Papaioanou steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Suleimani.
Suleimani sizes up Papaioanou with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A punch combination from Papaioanou misses.
Papaioanou pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Suleimani misses with a wild body shot.
Suleimani throws a right hand that misses
and Papaioanou counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papaioanou misses with a combination
and Suleimani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Suleimani misses the jab.
Papaioanou walks into a straight right hand from Suleimani.
Papaioanou misses with a jab, cross combination.
A slow jab from Papaioanou misses its intended target.
Papaioanou throws a leg kick
and Suleimani counters with a straight right hand.
Papaioanou throws out a leg kick but Suleimani moves out of range and Papaioanou only half commits.
Papaioanou throws a lazy uppercut
and Suleimani counters with a stiff right hand.
Papaioanou on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Papaioanou throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Papaioanou takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Suleimani slips a jab from Papaioanou.
Suleimani appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Suleimani throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Qasem Suleimani dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Suleimani stuns Papaioanou with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Suleimani throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Papaioanou dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Papaioanou throws an overhand right that lands on Suleimani's shoulder, as Suleimani tries to avoid the shot.
Papaioanou misses with a body shot.
Suleimani thuds a left hand into Papaioanou's body.
Suleimani throws a hook to the side of Papaioanou's head but Papaioanou sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Suleimani throws a big shot that misses.
Suleimani doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Suleimani walks into a left hand.
Suleimani comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Papaioanou tries to bum rush Suleimani with a series of wild strikes but Suleimani uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Papaioanou takes a swing at Suleimani's ribcage but misses.
Suleimani moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Papaioanou misses with a wild combination.
A clash of legs there as Papaioanou blocks the low kick.
Suleimani throws a hook to the side of Papaioanou's head but Papaioanou sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Papaioanou is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Papaioanou.
Papaioanou looks for a takedown but Suleimani sprawls well.
Suleimani smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Suleimani swings for the body but Papaioanou moves out of range.
A clash of legs there as Suleimani blocks the low kick.
Papaioanou throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Suleimani tries a quick counter leg kick but Papaioanou is wise to it.
Papaioanou throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Suleimani's waist but Suleimani gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Papaioanou off to one side.
Lefteris Papaioanou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suleimani gets caught flat footed, as Papaioanou shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Suleimani wants to stand and escape but Papaioanou is having none of it.
Suleimani keeping full guard, as Papaioanou tries to pass.
Suleimani is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Papaioanou wants to control from the top but Suleimani keeps moving.
Suleimani is looking to stand up but Papaioanou isn't so interested in that idea.
Papaioanou wants to control from the top but Suleimani keeps moving.
Suleimani is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papaioanou is fighting to break Suleimani's control of his arms but Suleimani is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Suleimani thuds a left hand into Papaioanou's body.
Suleimani connects with a crisp jab.
Suleimani lands a lovely overhand right.
Papaioanou lands a nice shot to the body.
Papaioanou throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Papaioanou takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The fighters circling - Suleimani throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Papaioanou throwing a counter right hand but Suleimani manages to avoid it.
Suleimani moves forwards but Papaioanou connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Suleimani scores with a body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Suleimani takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Suleimani lands a nice shot that snaps Papaioanou's head back.
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!
Papaioanou throws out a loose jab but Suleimani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Suleimani misses with a straight left.
Papaioanou misses with a combination
and Suleimani counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Suleimani takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Papaioanou throws a lazy uppercut
and Suleimani counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Suleimani lands a slapping body shot.
Papaioanou keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Papaioanou pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Papaioanou misses with a right hand
and Suleimani counters with a straight right hand.
Qasem Suleimani is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That kick from Papaioanou tenderised Suleimani's leg. Suleimani is trying to keep his angry face on.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Qasem Suleimani.
I've got Suleimani winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 45:50
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 45:50
Judge George Francis scores the fight 45:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Qasem Suleimani! Qasem Suleimani retains his light heavyweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Qasem Suleimani thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
75% |
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