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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Luzhin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fahad Al Qarni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luzhin comes to the cage accompanied by The time has come.... Al Qarni has chosen Hells Bells as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Fahad Al Qarni was going to win. Let's see if he was right.
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| 181 cm
35
174 lbs
26 - 10 - 2 |
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180 cm
35
187 lbs
27 - 16 - 2 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
26 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nikolai Luzhin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
27 - 16 - 2, fighting out of New York, Fahad Al Qarni!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Alec Ball and Ian Loll.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Qarni missing with a left hand there. Luzhin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Luzhin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Al Qarni's sensitive parts.
Luzhin tests Al Qarni's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Al Qarni will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Luzhin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Al Qarni.
Luzhin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Al Qarni in his tracks.
Luzhin lands a body shot.
Luzhin 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.
Good exchange - Al Qarni coming out on top.
Luzhin closes the distance and clinches.
Luzhin digs a right hand into Al Qarni's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Al Qarni's gas tank.
Luzhin jumps guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Luzhin keeping full guard, as Al Qarni tries to pass.
Luzhin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Al Qarni sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Luzhin's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Luzhin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Luzhin has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Al Qarni escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Al Qarni!
Luzhin 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.
Luzhin is working hard here to advance position.
Al Qarni trying to control the action but Luzhin is working from the bottom.
Al Qarni is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Luzhin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Luzhin is trying to work for a sweep but Al Qarni has mounted him!
Luzhin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Al Qarni tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Al Qarni is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Luzhin has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Luzhin!
Al Qarni is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Al Qarni is on top in guard.
Al Qarni trying to control but Luzhin is working from the bottom.
Luzhin working for a triangle but Al Qarni defends it easily.
Al Qarni wants to control from the top but Luzhin keeps moving.
Al Qarni advances to half guard.
Luzhin looking for submissions off his back.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Al Qarni pulls his head out easily.
Al Qarni wants to work for an arm triangle but Luzhin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Luzhin actively working from the bottom here.
Al Qarni trying to pass the guard but Luzhin defending well.
Al Qarni seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Luzhin wants to improve his position but Al Qarni is controlling well.
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 Nikolai Luzhin will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Luzhin is looking to clinch.
Luzhin avoids the head kick by Al Qarni.
Al Qarni takes one to the side of the head.
Luzhin connects with a leg kick. Al Qarni looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Luzhin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Luzhin lands with a slapping head kick.
Luzhin moves out of range of the strikes.
Luzhin tries to clinch up but Al Qarni circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Qarni throws a sloppy body shot
and Luzhin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Luzhin throws a leg kick but Al Qarni checks it.
Al Qarni thuds his right hand into Luzhin's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Al Qarni keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nikolai Luzhin is winning the standup battle so far.
Luzhin lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Luzhin throws a body kick that misses.
Luzhin misses with the combination.
Luzhin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Al Qarni, pushing him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Al Qarni lands a nice uppercut.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Qarni digs a right hand into Luzhin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Luzhin's gas tank.
Luzhin lands a left hand.
Luzhin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Al Qarni can do to turn this around?
Al Qarni breaks from the clinch.
Al Qarni throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Luzhin's head.
Luzhin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Al Qarni drops his hands momentarily and Luzhin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Luzhin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Al Qarni replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Luzhin blocks it well.
Luzhin tries to land a front kick but Al Qarni steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Luzhin throws out a leg kick but Al Qarni moves out of range and Luzhin only half commits.
Al Qarni lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Luzhin's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Al Qarni connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Luzhin scrambles back to his feet.
Al Qarni lands a head kick that stumbles Luzhin and the fighters go to the mat.
Luzhin is rocked!
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!
Luzhin has his foot on Al Qarni's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Al Qarni works his way back into a safe position though.
Oh Luzhin is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Luzhin is looking for a triangle but Al Qarni pushes his legs off easily.
Luzhin seems to have got his legs back now.
Luzhin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Al Qarni gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Al Qarni escapes and throws Luzhin's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Luzhin is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Al Qarni advances to mount.
Al Qarni can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Luzhin is looking to escape.
Al Qarni sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin is in all sorts of trouble here.
Luzhin slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Luzhin is looking for a sweep. Al Qarni is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Luzhin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Qarni stalling away here and it's allowed Luzhin to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Luzhin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Al Qarni gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Al Qarni got a little sloppy there for a moment and Luzhin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Al Qarni has managed to get both his arms back between Luzhin's legs - danger averted.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni passes into half guard.
Al Qarni prevents Luzhin from improving his position.
Al Qarni is working for a kimura but Luzhin is defending it quite comfortably.
Al Qarni is working for a submission of some sort.
Al Qarni seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Fahad Al Qarni showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Al Qarni lands a slapping body shot.
Luzhin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Al Qarni was well out of range. Poor timing from Luzhin.
Al Qarni throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Al Qarni takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Luzhin throws a leg kick which misses Al Qarni's front leg but catches the back leg as Al Qarni tries to avoid it.
Al Qarni misses with a body shot.
Luzhin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Al Qarni moves away.
It seemed like Al Qarni was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Luzhin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Al Qarni.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A chopping leg kick lands by Al Qarni.
Luzhin throws a series of punches but Al Qarni moves out of range.
Al Qarni moves out of range as Luzhin strikes.
Luzhin lands the left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luzhin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Luzhin throws a low kick but Al Qarni avoids it.
Al Qarni avoids a kick to the body.
Luzhin misses with a head kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Al Qarni.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Luzhin on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Al Qarni. Al Qarni obviously looking to wear him down.
Al Qarni misses the shot to the body.
Al Qarni misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Al Qarni throws a looping overhand right but Luzhin ducks down to avoid it.
Luzhin scores with a jab. Al Qarni acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Al Qarni pushes Luzhin up against the cage in a clinch.
Luzhin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Al Qarni throws a head punch that misses.
Al Qarni lands a shot to the body.
Luzhin misses with a punch on the inside.
Al Qarni tries a body shot but Luzhin blocks it.
Al Qarni misses with a punch on the inside.
Al Qarni blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Luzhin blocks a body shot from Al Qarni.
Al Qarni tries a body shot but Luzhin blocks it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Al Qarni fails to land.
Luzhin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Still in the clinch, Luzhin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Al Qarni scores with a nice short uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Al Qarni lands a nice uppercut.
Nikolai Luzhin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Al Qarni misses with a hook to the ribs.
Al Qarni tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Luzhin's elbow.
Al Qarni doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Al Qarni misses with a hook to the ribs.
Luzhin misses with a body punch.
Al Qarni blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Al Qarni is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Luzhin pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Luzhin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Al Qarni takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Luzhin 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.
Luzhin prevents a body shot from Al Qarni.
Luzhin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Al Qarni backwards.
Luzhin lands a good knee to the midsection. Al Qarni won't want to take too many of those.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin lands a body punch in the clinch.
Al Qarni lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Luzhin backwards.
Al Qarni tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Luzhin blocks an uppercut.
Al Qarni misses with a punch to the body.
Al Qarni tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Luzhin's elbow.
Luzhin prevents a body shot from Al Qarni.
Al Qarni misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Luzhin.
Luzhin pulls guard effortlessly.
Luzhin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Luzhin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Luzhin is looking for a triangle but Al Qarni pushes his legs off easily.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni wants to pass the guard but Luzhin is keeping the position.
Luzhin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Al Qarni defends well.
Al Qarni wants to control from the top but Luzhin keeps moving.
Al Qarni sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Luzhin's guard.
Al Qarni is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Al Qarni is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Nikolai Luzhin did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Al Qarni cracks the inside of Luzhin's front leg.
Al Qarni gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Luzhin landing knees to the body.
Luzhin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Al Qarni tries to work over Luzhin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Al Qarni tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short left from Luzhin.
Luzhin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Luzhin working some nice short punches in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Qarni swings wildly with an uppercut but Luzhin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Al Qarni's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Al Qarni keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Luzhin pushes Al Qarni away with a front kick.
Al Qarni throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Luzhin.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Qarni closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Luzhin did well to prevent Al Qarni getting side control.
Luzhin wants to get back to full guard.
Al Qarni tries to pass to full mount but Luzhin defends it.
Luzhin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Al Qarni pulls his head out easily.
Luzhin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Luzhin is trying to get back to full guard.
Luzhin is not content to let Al Qarni control the position.
Al Qarni seems to be looking for submissions.
Fahad Al Qarni has got the better of the ground game so far.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni is looking to stall here but Luzhin recovers full guard.
Luzhin keeping moving, preventing Al Qarni from controlling successfully.
Luzhin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Al Qarni doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Al Qarni manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Al Qarni trying to control the position from guard on top but Luzhin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Luzhin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Al Qarni trying to control the position from guard on top but Luzhin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Luzhin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Al Qarni trying to control the position from guard on top but Luzhin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Luzhin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Al Qarni.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Al Qarni keeps the fight on the outside.
Al Qarni lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Luzhin misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Al Qarni counters with a stiff right hand.
Luzhin staying out of range there.
Luzhin throws a right and a left that Al Qarni avoids nicely.
Luzhin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Luzhin pushes Al Qarni away with a front kick.
Al Qarni scores with a one two! Luzhin had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Al Qarni on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Luzhin lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Al Qarni waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Luzhin.
Luzhin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Al Qarni.
As Al Qarni tries to get set, Luzhin tries to push him back and clinch up but Al Qarni manages to avoid the attempt.
Al Qarni moves out of range of the body kick.
Luzhin backing away here, and Al Qarni unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Luzhin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Al Qarni clinches up with Luzhin and pushes him back against the cage.
Al Qarni misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Fahad Al Qarni dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!
Luzhin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Al Qarni lands with a nice body punch.
Al Qarni avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jab from Luzhin.
Luzhin doesn't manage to clinch there - Al Qarni circles away.
Luzhin swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Luzhin 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.
Sloppy strikes from Luzhin. Those never looked like landing.
Al Qarni gets a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Qarni prevents a body shot from Luzhin.
Luzhin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A hook to the body from Luzhin.
Luzhin pulls guard effortlessly.
Al Qarni tries to free his leg and advance position but Luzhin is retaining full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Qarni got a little sloppy there for a moment and Luzhin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Al Qarni has managed to get both his arms back between Luzhin's legs - danger averted.
Al Qarni trying to control the position from guard on top but Luzhin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al Qarni pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Luzhin is keeping the position for now.
Luzhin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Luzhin is looking for a triangle here but Al Qarni uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
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.
Al Qarni thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Luzhin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Luzhin 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 tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Al Qarni has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Luzhin manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin is looking to advance position but Al Qarni won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Al Qarni wants to improve his position but Luzhin is controlling well.
Al Qarni is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Luzhin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Al Qarni keeps working.
Al Qarni wants to get back to full guard but Luzhin has passed into side control.
Al Qarni is looking for a sweep.
Al Qarni wants to control but Luzhin postures up.
Al Qarni manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Qarni is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Luzhin is looking for a sweep. Al Qarni is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Al Qarni is keen to just control but Luzhin is a slippery customer.
Luzhin is defending against the submission attempts here by Al Qarni.
Al Qarni is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Luzhin is just riding it out for now. Al Qarni eventually gives up the hold.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Al Qarni looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nikolai Luzhin.
I think Luzhin has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Luzhin!
Nikolai Luzhin retains his welterweight title!
In his post fight interview, Nikolai Luzhin started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
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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
47% |
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