PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Azar Qasi (ranked 152 p4p, 23 weight class) and Dominic Fortune (ranked 387 p4p, 53 weight class). Qasi's entrance music is For Whom The Bell Tolls. A fine choice. Dominic Fortune told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Qasi
vs
Fortune

180 cm
33
166 lbs
30 - 11 - 1

170 cm
34
160 lbs
25 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Aspire Clothing

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 30 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Azar Qasi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dominic Fortune!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Nard Betker and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good leg kick by Fortune there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Qasi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Qasi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Qasi avoids the head kick by Fortune.
Fortune takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Qasi wants to land a leg kick but Fortune is out of range.
Fortune tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Fortune avoids the head kick by Qasi.
Qasi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fortune throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Qasi misses with a straight right.
Qasi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fortune was well out of range. Poor timing from Qasi.
Fortune misses with the combination.
It looked like Qasi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Fortune throws a poor cross that misses
and Qasi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Qasi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fortune throws a head kick but Qasi moves out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Qasi misses its target.
Qasi connects with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi throws a shot to the body.
Qasi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Qasi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fortune misses with a series of wild punches.
Fortune tries a head kick but it misses.
Fortune throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Fortune has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Qasi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Qasi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fortune throws out the jab.
Fortune takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Fortune misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Qasi attempts a counter takedown but Fortune avoids it well and moves away.
Qasi throws a good cross that connects.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fortune takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Qasi slips a straight right by Fortune.
Qasi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fortune sprawls and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fortune chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Qasi misses the jab.
Qasi wants to land a leg kick but Fortune is out of range.
Fortune rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Qasi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Qasi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Fortune moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fortune swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Fortune throws a looping overhand right but Qasi ducks down to avoid it.
Qasi takes a swing at Fortune's ribcage but misses.
Fortune misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Qasi.
Qasi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Qasi connects with a nice looking jab.
Qasi throws a body punch but Fortune moves out of range.
Fortune is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fortune moves in looking to clinch but Qasi pushes him off.
Qasi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Fortune throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Qasi connects with a crisp jab.
Qasi misses with a straight right.
Qasi listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fortune uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Qasi.
Fortune is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
A slow jab from Fortune misses its intended target.
Nice body punch from Qasi.
Fortune throws a head kick but Qasi moves out of range.
Qasi scores with a nice strike.
Fortune ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Qasi moves away.
Fortune throws a hook but Qasi avoids it easily.
Qasi throws a quick counter head kick but Fortune was just out of range.
Qasi lands with a cross.
Fortune misses with a body kick.
Fortune throws a left and a right that both miss

and Qasi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Fortune won't be happy with that.

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!
Fortune is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Qasi is controlling him well.

Qasi tries for a kimura but Fortune is defending well.

Qasi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fortune is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fortune is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
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 Azar Qasi 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.

Qasi looking to score a takedown here. Fortune is defending well but Qasi drives through and ends up in Fortune's guard.
Qasi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Qasi stays in close to Fortune's body and controls the position.
Fortune keeping full guard, as Qasi tries to pass.
Qasi is working hard here to advance position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qasi trying to control the position from guard on top but Fortune is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi looking to pass the guard.
Fortune keeping moving, preventing Qasi from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Qasi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fortune doesn't seem bothered though.
Qasi throws a looping overhand right but Fortune ducks down to avoid it.
And Fortune tries to counter it with a takedown but Qasi pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Fortune throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Qasi misses with a head kick.
Qasi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fortune was well out of range. Poor timing from Qasi.
Fortune throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Fortune, right into the meat.
Qasi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fortune's corner calls for a 1-2. Fortune obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Jab from Fortune.
Fortune's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Qasi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Fortune scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fortune bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Fortune uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Qasi.
Fortune flicks out a counter leg kick but Qasi steps away.
Fortune takes one on the button.

Fortune closes the distance and clinches.
Fortune blocking some punches.
Fortune throws a head punch that misses.
Fortune blocking some punches.
Qasi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Fortune is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Fortune escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Qasi slips under a jab.
Fortune rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Qasi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fortune misses with a kick to the body
and Qasi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fortune misses with a hook to the body
and Qasi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Fortune's head backwards.
Qasi throws a head kick that half lands.
Fortune tries to clinch up.
Fortune turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Good leg kick by Qasi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Dominic Fortune is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fortune avoids the body shot from Qasi.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Fortune, right into the meat.
Fortune tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fortune is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Qasi.
A little feinted left hand from Qasi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Fortune lands with a thumping leg kick.
Qasi jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Qasi shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Qasi showed some decent athleticism there.
Fortune wants to stand back up but Qasi manages to pass into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Qasi is trying to get an arm triangle but Fortune is defending well.

Qasi tries for a kimura but Fortune is defending well.
Fortune tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Qasi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Azar Qasi will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fortune throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Azar Qasi is winning the standup battle so far.
Fortune moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Qasi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Fortune momentarily.
Qasi misses with a looping right.
Qasi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Fortune lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fortune.
Qasi looks to score with a jab to the body but Fortune is just out of range.
Qasi checks the leg kick.
Fortune takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Qasi just misses with a punch to the body.
Qasi clobbers Fortune with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Qasi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Qasi feints and then cracks Fortune's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fortune down.
Qasi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Qasi misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Fortune.
It looked like Qasi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Fortune.
Qasi throws out a loose jab but Fortune uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fortune works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Qasi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fortune misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fortune dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Qasi ducks under a wild hook from Fortune.
Fortune fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Qasi.
Qasi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fortune misses with a leg kick.
Qasi throws a hook but Fortune blocks it.
Fortune changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Qasi missing with a left hand there. Fortune was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It seemed like Fortune was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Qasi blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fortune leaves Qasi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dominic Fortune is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Qasi lands a head kick!
Fortune throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fortune swings for the body but Qasi moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Qasi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fortune is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fortune plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Qasi looking to score a takedown here. Fortune is defending well but Qasi drives through and ends up in Fortune's guard.

Fortune manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi struggles to land a body shot inside as Fortune controls his hands.
Fortune has a couple of punches blocked by Qasi.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fortune.
Qasi tries to work over Fortune's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Qasi cracks Fortune with a nice body shot.
Qasi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fortune lands a body shot.
Fortune throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Qasis head.
Fortune digs a right hand into Qasi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Qasi's gas tank.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fortune fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fortune misses with a hook to the ribs.
Qasi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Qasi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short body shot lands from Qasi as the two fighters clinch.
Qasi misses with a short punch on the inside.

Fortune escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Qasi feints and then cracks Fortune's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fortune down.
Qasi throws a sloppy head kick and Fortune moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fortune tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Qasi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Fortune throws out a loose jab but Qasi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Qasi throws a counter high kick but Fortune was just alert enough to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fortune misses with a double jab.
Fortune slips a straight right by Qasi.
Qasi scores with a nice strike.
Qasi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Qasi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fortune sprawls well. Fortune wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Qasi gets slowly back to his feet.
Qasi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Qasi throws a sloppy head kick and Fortune moves out of range easily.
Qasi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A head kick misses from Fortune.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Dominic Fortune just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fortune fails with an attempt to clinch.
Qasi throws a counter high kick but Fortune was just alert enough to avoid it.
Qasi feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Fortunes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Good exchange - Qasi coming out on top.
Fortune misses with a hook. Qasi ducked under it nicely.
Qasi throws a sloppy head kick and Fortune moves out of range easily.
Fortune lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fortune.
Qasi moves out of range as Fortune strikes.
Fortune throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice jab there from Qasi.
Qasi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

so Fortune counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Qasi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Qasi wants to sweep here but Fortune controlling him for the moment.
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.
Qasi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fortune's guard.

Qasi trying to control the position from guard on top but Fortune is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Qasi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fortune swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Qasi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Fortune keeping moving, preventing Qasi from controlling successfully.
Qasi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Qasi looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi wants to control from the top but Fortune keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fortune getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A head kick misses from Fortune.
A chopping leg kick lands by Qasi.
Nice body punch from Fortune.
Qasi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Qasi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fortune throws a head kick but Qasi moves out of range.
Qasi tried to counter with a leg kick but Fortune avoided it.
Qasi lands a jab.
Fortune throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qasi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Fortune scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Qasi doesn't seem bothered though.
A head kick misses from Fortune.
A swing and a miss from Fortune.

Fortune darts in and clinches Qasi up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Still in the clinch, Qasi scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Qasi fails to land.
Fortune throws a head punch that misses.
Fortune scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Qasi throws a punch but it's blocked by Fortune.
Fortune lands a shot to the body.
Qasi has a couple of punches blocked by Fortune.

Qasi manages to break the clinch.
Fortune throws a body punch but Qasi moves out of range.
Qasi throws a body punch but Fortune moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Dominic Fortune will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Qasi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A jab from Fortune misses.
Qasi connects with a body shot.
Fortune jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Qasi blocks a head kick by Fortune.
Qasi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Qasi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Qasi lands the left hand.
Qasi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qasi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fortune on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Fortune rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Qasi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A low kick from Fortune misses
and Qasi counters with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi scores with a shot to the body.
Fortune throws a solid leg kick but Qasi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Fortune.
Qasi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Fortune momentarily.
Fortune takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Fortune tries a head kick but it misses.
Fortune on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Fortune rushes Qasi and presses him up against the cage.
Fortune blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Fortune breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Qasi thows a left - swing and a miss!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Fortune checks a leg kick.
Fortune keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Fortune is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Qasi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Qasi misses with a low kick as Fortune jumps back.
Fortune tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fortune misses with a wild combination.
Qasi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fortune.
No joy there for Fortune, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fortune fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Qasi shoots for a takedown but Fortune saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fortune throws the left hand but Qasi avoids the punch easily.
Fortune's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Qasi is looking to chop away at Fortune's legs.
Qasi throws a jab but it's blocked by Fortune.
Fortune lands a high kick!
Qasi jabs Fortune to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Fortune throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Qasi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Qasi has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fortune chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Qasi can pounce on him.
Fortune throws a combination that misses
and Qasi counters with a thumping low kick.
Qasi misses with an uppercut.
Fortune throws a leg kick but Qasi moved away.
Qasi throws out a loose jab but Fortune uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fortune takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Qasi scores with a jab. Fortune acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Qasi takes a swing at Fortune's ribcage but misses.
Qasi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Qasi lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qasi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fortune has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Qasi avoids a punch combination nicely.
It looked like Qasi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Fortune.
Fortune connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Qasi's hands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Donk. Fortune catches Qasi right on the button with a cross.
Qasi throws a leg kick but Fortune sees it coming and moves out of range.
Fortune changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Fortune's corner calls for a 1-2. Fortune obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Fortune swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Qasi loads up on a big right hand but Fortune slips the punch.
And Fortune tries to counter it with a takedown but Qasi pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Fortune misses with a head kick.
Fortune with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fortune blocks a jab.

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 Azar Qasi.
I think Qasi 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 47:48
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 47:48
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Dominic Fortune!
Dominic Fortune is the new lightweight champion!