Tony Kelley and Ali AlQiasi had an entertaining back-and-forth affair at UFC Fight Island 5 that nearly spilled over after the final bell.
Ali AlQiasi returned to the Octagon just two months after his promotional debut to take on Tony Kelley, who was doing the same thing at UFC Fight Island 5. AlQiasi had an 8-3 record going into his debut, but had his five-fight win streak snapped in August in an exciting bout against Irwin Rivera.
Tony Kelley had an interesting path to the UFC, going 5-1, then returning to fighting after a nearly three-year layoff. He won by guillotine, which earned him a UFC contract. Kelley fell in his debut to Kai Kamaka in August. Of his six career wins heading into the AlQiasi fight, Kenney had stoppages in five of them.
Tony Kelley started aggressively in the center of the Octagon, landing a hard leg kick and backing Ali AlQiasi up. Kelley then went high with a kick, but AlQiasi caught it and took Kelley down. Kelley tried for a triangle and had it solid for a second, but AlQiasi broke free. Kelley rolled over to a turtled up position and AlQiasi stayed on top. He worked his way to a guillotine and Kelley had to fight hard, but was able to get out of it. When they returned to the feet, AlQiasi clinched Kelley and brought him down, but fell right into a triangle choke. Kelley was able to transition to a straight armbar effort and had it cranked, but didn’t have the right angle to force the tap.
Arm of rubber!
🇯🇴 Ali Al-Qaisi survives a devastating armbar attempt late RD 2.
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— UFC (@ufc) October 10, 2020
AlQiasi started the second with a combination. Leg kicks were traded by both fighters and Kelley stayed on the front foot. He tried a leg kick and AlQiasi attempted a takedown, bailed, then landed a combination. Kelley separated, then landed an upward elbow that rocked AlQiasi. Kelley landed some follow-up shots, but AlQiasi was able to clinch up and attempt a takedown. That almost got him into trouble, as Kelley thwarted the attempt and landed in mount, but AlQiasi rolled out and got a takedown of his own before the end of the round.
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— UFC (@ufc) October 10, 2020
AlQiasi went right out and landed a takedown in the final round, but Kelley popped right back up. AlQiasi shot in again, but ate a knee and was rocked. Kelley knocked him down, but went for a guillotine that gave AlQiasi an opportunity to survive. AlQiasi stood up and landed a combination. Kelley landed another hard shot, but then was staggered by a spinning backfist. AlQiasi hit him with another, but Kelley stayed standing. The fight started picking up in energy, but momentum stopped when Kelley landed a kick below the belt. After the fight resumed, AlQiasi had a few takedowns stuffed, but was able to trip Kelley up at the very end. When the final bell rung, AlQiasi and Kelley engaged in some extracurriculars that nearly kept the fight going.
ROCKED.
🇺🇸 @TonyKelleyMMA goes right down the middle with a BRUTAL knee!
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— UFC (@ufc) October 10, 2020
Tony Kelley def. Ali AlQiasi by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)
