PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cheikh Kassim (ranked 1412 p4p, 182 weight class) and Randy Tessin (ranked 2133 p4p, 252 weight class). The key to victory for Cheikh Kassim has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kassim
vs
Tessin

189 cm
25
180 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
178 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Level Up!

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Cheikh Kassim!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Randy Tessin!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Andrew Berry and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kassim on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kassim fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kassim keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tessin looks to throw the jab but Kassim is out of range.
Tessin keeps the fight on the outside.
Tessin drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kassim defends it well.
Tessin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Kassim clinches up against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Kassim.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kassim.
Kassim using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tessin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kassim fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Kassim clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kassim scores with a shoulder strike.
Tessin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kassim lands a good knee to the midsection. Tessin won't want to take too many of those.
Tessin looks winded!
Kassim lands a shoulder strike.

It looks like Randy Tessin has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kassim makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kassim lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kassim is pushing Tessin up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kassim is struggling to control the position.
Tessin is trying to push Kassim away but Kassim has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kassim throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tessins head.
A short right from Kassim on the inside.
Tessin is looking to take this one to the mat.
Cheikh Kassim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Tessin.
Kassim slows down the pace here.
Kassim lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kassim lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tessin backwards.
Kassim looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Kassim drops Tessin onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Tessin is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!

Tessin is rocked!

That has opened up Randy Tessin's cut even more.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kassim lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Tessin to his knees! Kassim keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Cheikh Kassim!
Cheikh Kassim retains his welterweight title!
In his post fight interview, Cheikh Kassim started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.