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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sean Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Azar Qasi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Qasi is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by For Whom The Bell Tolls. Sean Matthews could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Azar Qasi's chin.
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| 178 cm
27
165 lbs
12 - 7 - 0 |
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180 cm
26
166 lbs
14 - 7 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sean Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Azar Qasi!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthews slips a straight right by Qasi.
Matthews lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Qasi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Qasi cracks Matthews with a right hand to the side of the head.
Matthews lands a head kick!
Qasi looks to land a right hand but Matthews moved out of range.
Qasi checks the leg kick nicely there.
Matthews thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matthews's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Qasi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Matthews scrambles back to his feet.
Matthews throws a series of punches but Qasi moves out of range.
Qasi throws a body punch but Matthews moves out of range.
Qasi lands with a straight right. Matthews didn't see that one coming.
Matthews plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Matthews looks to land a right hand but Qasi moved out of range.
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 lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Matthews shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
It seemed like Qasi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Qasi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Qasi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Qasi fails with an attempt to clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi throws a series of punches but Matthews moves out of range.
Matthews tries a low kick but Qasi avoids it.
Qasi 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.
Matthews throws a low kick but Qasi moves out of range easily.
Qasi throws a right hand that Matthews ducks under and follows up with a left that Matthews also avoids with ease.
Qasi connects with a body shot.
Qasi lands with a hook. Matthews tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Qasi feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Qasi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Matthews is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Qasi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matthews swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Qasi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Qasi looking to pass the guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews has Qasi pulled in close to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Qasi wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Matthews throws a low kick, looking for Qasi's leg but Qasi calmly moves out of range.
Matthews lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Qasi throws a big shot that misses.
Qasi misses with an uppercut. Matthews saw that one coming.
Matthews thuds a left hand into Qasi's body.
Matthews throws an overhand right that lands on Qasi's shoulder, as Qasi tries to avoid the shot.
Matthews walks into a straight right hand from Qasi.
Matthews throws a series of punches but Qasi moves out of range.
A big right from Qasi misses.
As Qasi looks to move away, Matthews throws a big counter combo but Qasi just gets out of the way.
Qasi misses with a body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Qasi misses
and Matthews counters with an inside leg kick.
Good shot there by Matthews.
Matthews lands with an uppercut that bounces Qasi off the cage and back into range.
Azar Qasi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Qasi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Matthews avoids it really well and circles away.
A telegraphed right hand from Qasi misses the target.
The fighters circling - Matthews throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matthews bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Qasi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Qasi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Matthews looks to land a combination but Qasi avoids it well.
Qasi stuns Matthews with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Qasi tries to move into range but Matthews moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Matthews lands a head kick. Qasi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matthews moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Qasi is rocked!
Qasi cracks Matthews with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews misses with an uppercut. Qasi saw that one coming.
Sean Matthews is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Qasi checks a leg kick.
Matthews misses with an uppercut. Qasi saw that one coming.
Qasi misses with a looping right.
Matthews throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Qasi misses with a looping right.
Matthews scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Matthews misses with a body shot.
Matthews swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Qasi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Good standup being displayed there by Qasi as he connects with a hook.
Decent striking displayed by Qasi there.
A jab from Qasi misses.
Qasi shoots in for a takedown but Matthews shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A little feinted left hand from Matthews on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Qasi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Matthews.
Qasi throws out a counter right but Matthews avoids it with no problem.
Qasi is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Matthews had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Matthews misses the shot to the body.
Matthews throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little jabbing left from Qasi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matthews throws a hook but Qasi avoids it easily.
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 Sean Matthews will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Qasi swings for the body but Matthews moves out of range.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Donk. Qasi catches Matthews right on the button with a cross.
Qasi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Matthews misses the body punch
and Qasi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Qasi throws a nice looking combination but Matthews bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Matthews throws a shot from downtown. Qasi moves away and avoids it.
Matthews with a hook.
Matthews takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Matthews fails to land with a series of punches.
A cross from Matthews lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Matthews.
Qasi looks to land a right hand but Matthews moved out of range.
Matthews lands a leg kick that knocks Qasi off balance momentarily.
Qasi loads up on a big right hand but Matthews slips the punch.
Qasi throws a right hand that Matthews ducks under and follows up with a left that Matthews also avoids with ease.
A counter left hand to the body from Matthews misses its target.
A jab from Qasi misses.
Qasi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matthews.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Jab by Qasi.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Matthews misses with a low kick.
Qasi throws a body shot but no joy.
Matthews feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Matthews takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Qasi.
Matthews can't do much from the bottom here.
Qasi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matthews keeps working.
Qasi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Matthews, who protects the arm well.
Matthews is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Qasi asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Qasi trying to control the action but Matthews is working from the bottom.
Matthews can't do much from the bottom here.
Qasi goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Matthews rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Qasi's guard! Nice work there by Matthews!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Qasi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Matthews defends well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews preventing the sweep.
Matthews wants to pass the guard but Qasi is keeping the position.
Matthews is working Qasi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Qasi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Matthews defends well.
Matthews trying to control but Qasi is working from the bottom.
Matthews pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Qasi is keeping the position for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Qasi is working an open guard so Matthews takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sean Matthews is winning the standup battle so far.
Matthews throws a sloppy head kick
and Qasi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Matthews gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nice uppercut lands for Qasi. That snapped Matthews's head back.
Matthews misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Qasi fails to land with a series of punches.
Matthews misses with a low kick.
Matthews scores with a head kick. Qasi tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Qasi tries a head kick but it misses.
Qasi misses with a right hand
and Matthews counters with a straight right hand.
Qasi connects with a single shot there.
Matthews displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Qasi throws out the jab.
Qasi misses with a straight left.
A quick step to the side and Matthews tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Qasi throws a hook to the side of Matthews's head but Matthews sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
As Qasi backs away, Matthews returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Azar Qasi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Qasi looks to throw the jab but Matthews is out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Qasi, as that shot connected.
Matthews wants to land a leg kick but Qasi is out of range.
Matthews ducks under a wild hook from Qasi.
As Qasi backs away, Matthews returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Qasi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Qasi ducks under a wild hook from Matthews.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Matthews. Qasi shrugs it off though.
Qasi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matthews.
Matthews throws a leg kick but Qasi checks it.
Qasi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Qasi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Qasi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Qasi loads up on a big right hand but Matthews slips the punch.
Qasi connects with a nice looking jab.
Qasi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matthews.
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!
Matthews looks to land a right hand but Qasi moved out of range.
Matthews uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Qasi.
Qasi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Qasi looks to land a right hand but Matthews moved out of range.
Matthews slips a jab from Qasi.
Matthews half committed to a counter leg kick.
Qasi lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A good leg kick by Matthews.
Qasi darts in looking for a takedown but Matthews gets double underhooks and turns Qasi into the cage.
Qasi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matthews.
Matthews throws the left hand but Qasi avoids the punch easily.
Matthews looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Matthews with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Qasi to score with a decent uppercut.
Matthews looks to throw the jab but Qasi is out of range.
Qasi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Matthews connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Qasi scrambles back to his feet.
Matthews throws a lazy uppercut
and Qasi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Qasi misses with a straight right.
Qasi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matthews.
Qasi might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Qasi.
Qasi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matthews.
Qasi lands an overhand right.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Qasi looks to score with a jab to the body but Matthews is just out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews ducks right into an uppercut from Qasi.
Qasi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matthews.
Matthews throws a right hand that misses
and Qasi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Qasi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matthews moves away.
Matthews throwing a counter right hand but Qasi manages to avoid it.
Matthews tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Qasi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Matthews counters with a leg kick.
Matthews slips under a jab from Qasi.
Qasi tries a head kick but it misses.
Matthews throwing a counter right hand but Qasi manages to avoid it.
Matthews scores with a decent looking hook.
Qasi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Matthews.
Matthews throws a low kick but it's checked well by Qasi.
Qasi looks to land a combination. Matthews sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Qasi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Matthews scores with a decent looking hook.
Qasi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Matthews scoring well with a low kick there.
The fighters circling - Matthews throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews scores with a head kick. Qasi tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Matthews lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Qasi swings for the body but Matthews moves out of range.
Qasi looks to land a right hand but Matthews moved out of range.
Qasi lands a nice hook to Matthews's body. Matthews takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Qasi shoots in looking for a takedown but Matthews manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Qasi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Qasi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matthews.
Matthews wants to slow Qasi down by chopping away at his legs.
Matthews swings for the body but Qasi moves out of range.
A slow jab from Qasi misses its intended target.
It looked like Matthews was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Qasi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matthews.
A punch combination from Matthews misses.
Matthews throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Qasi misses with a lunging right hand
and Matthews counters with a stiff right hand.
Qasi throws a looping overhand right but Matthews ducks down to avoid it.
Qasi misses with an uppercut.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Qasi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Matthews tries to work over Qasi's front leg with a kick but Qasi checks it.
Matthews throws a leg kick but Qasi sees it coming and moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Qasi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matthews scores with a head kick.
Qasi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Matthews as he avoids it easily.
Sean Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Azar Qasi.
Matthews rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Qasi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Qasi takes a swing at Matthews's ribcage but misses.
A jab from Qasi misses.
Qasi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Matthews moves away.
Matthews half committed to a counter leg kick.
Qasi's corner calls for a 1-2. Qasi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Qasi throws a jab but it's blocked by Matthews.
Qasi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Qasi blocks a head kick by Matthews.
Matthews with a jab.
Qasi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Qasi looks to score with a jab to the body but Matthews is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Sean Matthews 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.
Qasi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Qasi walks into a left hand.
Qasi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Matthews tries to keep at a distance but Qasi has taken the fight into the clinch.
Matthews misses with the head strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Qasi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matthews lands with an overhand left.
A head kick misses from Matthews.
Matthews uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Qasi.
A punch lands to the side of Matthews 's head but he takes it in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice leg kick lands there from Matthews.
Good exchange - Qasi coming out on top.
Qasi cracks Matthews with an open hand slap.
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!
Matthews throws a series of strikes that have Qasi backpedaling.
Qasi is still on wobbly legs! Can Matthews finish him?
Matthews throws a hook but Qasi blocks it.
Matthews throws a head kick but Qasi moves out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews looks to land a right hand but Qasi moved out of range.
Qasi shoots in for a double leg but Matthews sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Qasi seems to have recovered his senses.
Qasi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Matthews under the eye.
Qasi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Qasi cracks Matthews with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Matthews tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Qasi scores with a jab to the jaw.
Matthews looks to throw the jab but Qasi is out of range.
Matthews looks to land a left hand but Qasi moved out of range nicely.
Matthews wants to slow Qasi down by chopping away at his legs.
Matthews bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Matthews jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Good standup being displayed there by Qasi as he connects with a hook.
Qasi slips a jab from Matthews.
Qasi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Matthews keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matthews moves out of range of the strikes.
That's two 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!
Qasi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Matthews looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Matthews plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Qasi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matthews.
Qasi cracks Matthews with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A jab from Qasi misses.
Matthews swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Qasi thows a left - swing and a miss!
A big left from Qasi misses.
Matthews ducks under a wild hook from Qasi.
Matthews throws a lazy head kick
letting Qasi counter with a right hand.
Qasi throws the left hand but Matthews avoids the punch easily.
Matthews feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Qasi.
Matthews misses with a looping left.
Qasi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Qasi looks to throw the jab but Matthews is out of range.
Qasi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews misses with a hook.
Qasi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Qasi looks to score with a jab to the body but Matthews is just out of range.
Matthews throws a nice inside leg kick.
Matthews throws a right and a left that Qasi avoids nicely.
Matthews is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Qasi.
Qasi ducks under a wild hook from Matthews.
Qasi throws a hook but Matthews avoids it easily.
Qasi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Qasi controlling the position.
Qasi is continuing to stall.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Qasi.
Qasi is trying to get an arm triangle but Matthews is defending well.
Matthews is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Qasi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matthews keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Azar Qasi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Qasi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matthews.
Qasi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Matthews in his tracks.
Qasi avoids the head kick by Matthews.
Matthews is looking to slow Qasi down with leg kicks.
Matthews misses with a series of wild punches.
A punch lands to the side of Matthews 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sloppy strikes from Qasi. Those never looked like landing.
A little feinted left hand from Matthews on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Qasi.
Matthews swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Matthews misses with a looping left.
Matthews tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Qasi is able to avoid easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews lands a really nice looking cross but Qasi seems unphased.
Matthews walks into a left hand.
Matthews on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Qasi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Qasi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews lands a leg kick that knocks Qasi off balance momentarily.
Qasi with a lazy takedown attempt
and Matthews counters with an inside leg kick.
A good leg kick by Matthews.
Matthews misses with a wild combination.
Matthews connects with a leg kick. Qasi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Matthews lands with a nice combination. Qasi backs away looking to recover.
Qasi throws the left hand but Matthews avoids the punch easily.
Matthews is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Matthews lands with an overhand left.
Qasi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Qasi throws out a loose jab but Matthews uses good head movement to avoid it.
Decent striking displayed by Matthews there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matthews pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matthews throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matthews walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Matthews misses with a series of wild punches.
Matthews throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Matthews slips a straight right by Qasi.
Matthews takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Qasi moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Matthews misses with a straight right.
Qasi misses with a right hand
and Matthews counters with a nice low kick that buckles Qasi's knee momentarily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Qasi, as that shot connected.
Matthews looks to land a left hand but Qasi moved out of range nicely.
Qasi blocks a head kick by Matthews.
Qasi drives through and clinches with Matthews against the cage.
Matthews breaks from the clinch.
Matthews fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Qasi checks it well.
Qasi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Matthews connects with a jab.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qasi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matthews looks to throw a body kick
and Qasi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Qasi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Matthews can pounce on him.
Qasi loads up on a big right hand but Matthews slips the punch.
Qasi tries to close the distance and clinch but Matthews swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Matthews does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Qasi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Matthews sprawls well. Matthews wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Qasi gets slowly back to his feet.
Sean Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Azar Qasi.
Qasi gets a double leg takedown into Matthews's guard.
Matthews keeping full guard, as Qasi tries to pass.
Qasi drops back looking for a leg! Matthews is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Matthews manages to kick Qasi off! Qasi jumps back into Matthews's guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Qasi is controlling him.
Qasi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Matthews is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Qasi controls from within his opponent's guard.
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 Sean Matthews.
I think Matthews 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 48:47
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 47:49
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 47:49
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Azar Qasi!
An out of breath Azar Qasi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
76% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
