PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Azar Qasi (ranked 1114 p4p, 138 weight class) and Harry Entei (ranked 1540 p4p, 182 weight class). Qasi kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is For Whom The Bell Tolls. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Qasi
vs
Entei

180 cm
36
166 lbs
32 - 15 - 1

177 cm
25
155 lbs
17 - 15 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Perkele!

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 15 - 1, fighting out of New York, Azar Qasi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Harry Entei!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Qasi is defended easily by Entei.
Qasi backing away here, and Entei unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Qasi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Entei misses with a looping right.
Entei fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Qasi lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Harry Entei has been cut.
Qasi throws a series of punches but Entei avoids them all with ease.
Entei 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A thudding body kick lands there by Entei!
Qasi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Qasi throws a big shot that misses.
Despite the aggression on Entei's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Entei takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Qasi throws a body punch but Entei moves out of range.
Qasi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Entei. Entei obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Entei throws a head kick but Qasi moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Qasi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Qasi misses with a wild body shot.
Entei lands a nice hook to Qasi's body. Qasi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Entei ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Qasi takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Qasi uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Entei has time to react.
Qasi throws a leg kick which misses Entei's front leg but catches the back leg as Entei tries to avoid it.
Nice body kick from Qasi.
Entei slips under a jab.
A cross from Entei lands.
Entei avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Qasi throws an off balance right hand
and Entei counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters circling - Entei throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Qasi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qasi slips a straight right by Entei.
Entei throws a leg kick but Qasi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Entei moves away from the strike by Qasi.
Entei uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Qasi.
Entei throws a counter combo.
Qasi throws a half hearted mid kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Entei! But no joy.
Azar Qasi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Qasi fails with the takedown
letting Entei counter with a right hand.
Qasi misses with a lunging right hand
and Qasi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Qasi misses the shot to the body.

Entei has Qasi up against the cage in a clinch.
Entei misses with some punches.
Entei misses with a hook to the ribs.
Entei misses with a body punch.
Qasi lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Qasi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi loads up on a big right hand but Entei slips the punch.
Qasi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Qasi thumps Entei with a low kick.
Entei takes one to the chin there.
Entei tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Qasi tries to land a leg kick but Entei saw it coming and moves away.
Qasi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Entei defends well and Qasi ends up having to push Entei into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Entei is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Qasi with a body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Azar Qasi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Qasi tests Entei's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Qasi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Entei connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Qasi scrambles back to his feet.
Entei lands with a slapping head kick.
Entei steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Qasi. That one must have hurt.
An inside leg kick from Entei misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Qasi blocks a head kick by Entei.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Entei doesn't manage to clinch there - Qasi circles away.
Qasi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Qasi takes a swing at Entei's ribcage but misses.
Qasi looks to land a body kick but Entei moved away.
Entei avoids the body shot from Qasi.
Entei lands with a cross.
Entei throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Entei lands a slapping body shot.
Entei lands with a kick to the temple. Qasi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Qasi just misses with a punch to the body.
Entei ducks under a wild hook from Qasi.
A little jabbing left from Entei on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Qasi scores with a nice head shot.
Entei throws a sloppy head kick and Qasi moves out of range easily.
Qasi was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Harry Entei will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Harry Entei's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Entei throws a head kick that misses.
Qasi fakes the leg kick and cracks Entei in the body.
Qasi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Qasi shoots in for a takedown but Entei shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Harry Entei seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A head kick misses from Entei.
Qasi throws a looping overhand right but Entei ducks down to avoid it.
Qasi lands with an uppercut that bounces Entei off the cage and back into range.
Entei misses with a shot to the body
and Qasi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Qasi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Entei throws a shot from downtown. Qasi moves away and avoids it.
Entei throws a sloppy head kick and Qasi moves out of range easily.
Entei misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Qasi.
That kick from Qasi tenderised Entei's leg. Entei is trying to keep his angry face on.
Qasi jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi throws a lazy uppercut
and Entei counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Qasi lands a nice shot to the body.
Entei uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Qasi.
Qasi connects with the punch.
Harry Entei is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Entei tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Qasi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Entei tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Qasi manages to move to mount!
Entei gets back to half guard.
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!
Entei tries to kick Qasi off but Qasi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Entei trying to control here.
Entei is controlling Qasi's trapped leg to prevent Qasi from advancing to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Entei moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Qasi preventing the sweep.
Entei wants to get back to his feet but Qasi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Qasi tries to free his leg and advance position but Entei is retaining full guard.
Entei looking for a sweep. Not yet Entei, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Qasi stops Entei from standing up.
Qasi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Entei is keeping the position for now.
Qasi's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Entei trying to control the position here.
Entei looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Entei wants to get back to his feet but Qasi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Entei uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Entei keeps Qasi at a distance using the push kick.
Entei misses with a straight right.
Qasi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Qasi lands with a good body shot.
Qasi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Entei.
Qasi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Qasi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Qasi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Entei swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Qasi just misses with a punch to the body.
Qasi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Entei counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qasi throws a looping overhand right but Entei ducks down to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Qasi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Entei's corner calls for a 1-2. Entei obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Entei throws a nice inside leg kick.
Qasi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Entei counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Qasi is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Entei showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Qasi.
Entei flicks out a counter leg kick but Qasi steps away.

Qasi looking to score a takedown here. Entei is defending well but Qasi drives through and ends up in Entei's guard.
Qasi won't allow Entei to sweep him here.

Entei has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Qasi is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Qasi tries to work over Entei's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Harry Entei will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Harry Entei's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Qasi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Entei shapes to counter with a head kick.
Qasi misses with an uppercut
and Entei counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Entei delivers a nice body kick.
Qasi swings away with a body shot that misses
and Entei counters with a nice body shot.
Qasi moves out of range as Entei throws a body kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Qasi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Qasi is defended easily by Entei.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Entei throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Entei tries a low kick but Qasi avoids it.
Qasi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice defenses there by Entei.
Entei takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Qasi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Qasi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Entei tries to avoid it but Qasi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Entei to the ground. Entei escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Entei now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Qasi blocks the body kick.

Qasi closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Entei's guard.
Qasi looking to pass the guard.
Entei wants to stand but Qasi is controlling the position.
Qasi trying to control but Entei is working from the bottom.
Azar Qasi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qasi is pushing down on Entei's leg trying to pass to half guard. Entei is fighting to maintain full guard but Qasi has managed to sneak the leg through.
Entei won't allow Qasi to pass to mount.
Entei pushes Qasi off looking to stand but Qasi dives back in and keeps control.
Entei tries to get to full guard but Qasi has control of the leg.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Qasi stops Entei from getting back to his feet.
Qasi stalling.
Entei is refusing to be controlled, as Qasi sits in half guard.
Entei desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Qasi wants to pass the guard but Entei is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Entei looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Qasi misses the shot to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from Entei misses.
Qasi wants to slow Entei down by chopping away at his legs.
Entei is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Qasi with a body shot.
Qasi misses with a wild body shot.
Entei cracks the inside of Qasi's front leg.
Entei slips under a jab from Qasi.
Entei swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Entei moves in looking to clinch but Qasi pushes him off.
Qasi scores with a push kick.
Entei throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Qasi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Entei ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Qasi.
Qasi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Entei swings for the body but Qasi moves out of range.
Entei misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Entei lands a nice looking kick to the body. Qasi takes a step back to recover.
Harry Entei is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Entei throws a sloppy head kick and Qasi moves out of range easily.
Qasi wants to slow Entei down by chopping away at his legs.
Entei lands a nice shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Entei keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Qasi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Entei.
Entei throws a fast counter high kick but Qasi manages to duck under it in time.
Qasi throws a sloppy head kick and Entei moves out of range easily.
Qasi looks to land a combination but Entei avoids it well.
Qasi sets himself, and Entei steps forward looking for the clinch! Qasi avoids it this time.

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 Entei has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Harry Entei!
In his post fight interview, Harry Entei started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.