PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Carl Sheppards (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. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Sheppards
vs
Qasi

181 cm
28
159 lbs
21 - 12 - 0

180 cm
25
166 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Carl Sheppards!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Azar Qasi!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Qasi moves out of range of the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Qasi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sheppards uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Qasi.
Sheppards avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sheppards takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've been hearing reports that Sheppards has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Qasi cracks Sheppards with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Qasi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sheppards sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Qasi somewhat.
An attempted straight right counter from Sheppards misses the target.
Nice uppercut lands for Qasi. That snapped Sheppards's head back.

It looks like Carl Sheppards has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Qasi.
Sheppards was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Qasi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Qasi throws a right hand that Sheppards ducks under and follows up with a left that Sheppards also avoids with ease.
Qasi lands with a nice combination. Sheppards backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sheppards slips a jab from Qasi.
Sheppards was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Qasi throws a hook but Sheppards blocks it.
Qasi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Qasi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Qasi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sheppards tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Qasi smiles and moves away.
Sheppards is breathing heavily.
Sheppards needs to keep his hands up - Qasi had a free shot at his head there.
Qasi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sheppards cracks a nice hook into Qasi's ribs.
Qasi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sheppards circles away quickly and effectively.
A jab lands there for Qasi.
Sheppards misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Qasi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Qasi lands with an uppercut that bounces Sheppards off the cage and back into range.
Qasi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Carl Sheppards is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Qasi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Qasi connects with a nice looking jab.

Sheppards is rocked!
Qasi loads up on a big right hand but Sheppards slips the punch.
Sheppards was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sheppards just misses with a punch to the body.
Qasi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Qasi throws a lazy right hand but Sheppards sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like Sheppards wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Qasi listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Oh Sheppards is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sheppards walks into a straight right hand from Qasi.
Qasi lands with a shot to the body.
A jab from Sheppards misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Qasi lands a body shot.
Sheppards seems to have got his legs back now.
Qasi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sheppards. Sheppards circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Qasi throws a big shot that misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Sheppards misses the target.

Qasi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sheppards's guard.
Sheppards is trying to control the position but Qasi postures up.
Sheppards keeping moving, preventing Qasi from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Qasi advances to half guard.

Qasi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Qasi works his way into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Qasi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sheppards is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Qasi is trying to get an arm triangle but Sheppards is defending well.
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!
Qasi has knee on belly and moves into mount.

Sheppards tries to improve his position but Qasi has taken his back! Qasi has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Sheppards tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Qasi pushes Sheppards away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Azar Qasi!
Azar Qasi is the new lightweight champion!
A victorious Azar Qasi thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.