Ali Al Qaisi
The Royal Fighter
Jordan
Departed from UFC
Al Qaisi is no longer on the UFC roster, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Al Qaisi's UFC run was brief, as he took decision losses to Irwin Rivera and Tony Kelley in just over a three-month span in late-2020. He'll now presumably take his talents to the regional circuit to build up his 8-5 overall record in hopes of eventually earning another opportunity. Despite going winless, the 30-year-old nonetheless made history as the first Jordanian fighter to compete in the UFC.
Al Qaisi's UFC run was brief, as he took decision losses to Irwin Rivera and Tony Kelley in just over a three-month span in late-2020. He'll now presumably take his talents to the regional circuit to build up his 8-5 overall record in hopes of eventually earning another opportunity. Despite going winless, the 30-year-old nonetheless made history as the first Jordanian fighter to compete in the UFC.
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Still looking for first UFC win
Al Qaisi lost to Tony Kelley via unanimous decision (27-30, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Al Qaisi was able to hang around, but this one ultimately resulted in his second straight loss to begin his UFC career. On the whole, Al Qaisi looked worse than he did in his split-decision loss in his company debut to Irwin Rivera this past August. Al Qaisi struggled to generate consistent offense throughout the course of the bout, with his lone real highlight being a deep guillotine choke which Kelley somehow managed to slip out of. Al Qaisi will probably get another shot with the UFC, but there's nothing in his background to suggest there is any sort of run coming.
Al Qaisi was able to hang around, but this one ultimately resulted in his second straight loss to begin his UFC career. On the whole, Al Qaisi looked worse than he did in his split-decision loss in his company debut to Irwin Rivera this past August. Al Qaisi struggled to generate consistent offense throughout the course of the bout, with his lone real highlight being a deep guillotine choke which Kelley somehow managed to slip out of. Al Qaisi will probably get another shot with the UFC, but there's nothing in his background to suggest there is any sort of run coming.
Scheduled for Oct. 10
Al Qaisi will take on Tony Kelley in a bantamweight matchup at the UFC event scheduled for Oct. 10, MMA DNA reports.
ANALYSIS
Al Qaisi lost a short-notice debut to Irwin Rivera back in early-August, dropping a split decision despite leading the significant striking battle 44 to 36. He'll get a chance to bounce back against Tony Kelley, who lost under similar circumstances to Kai Kamaka a week later. Al Qaisi will be giving up several inches in both height and reach for his follow-up fight.
Al Qaisi lost a short-notice debut to Irwin Rivera back in early-August, dropping a split decision despite leading the significant striking battle 44 to 36. He'll get a chance to bounce back against Tony Kelley, who lost under similar circumstances to Kai Kamaka a week later. Al Qaisi will be giving up several inches in both height and reach for his follow-up fight.
Tough break in UFC debut
Qaisi lost to Irwin Rivera via split decision (28-29, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC on ESPN+ 32 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Qaisi got off to a fast start and likely won the first round, coming out ahead in the striking battle and even scoring a takedown for good measure. On paper, Qaisi scored more significant strikes in Rounds 2 and 3 as well, but it was Rivera with the bigger moments and more powerful shots in the eyes of the judges. On the fight, Qaisi outlanded Rivera 44-to-36 in terms of significant strikes and 54-to-45 in total strikes, while both men secured two takedowns. Rivera did most of his damage to the head, while Qaisi recorded nine significant leg strikes to Rivera's one. While Qaisi didn't get the nod from the judges, he showed he's capable of competing at this level.
Qaisi got off to a fast start and likely won the first round, coming out ahead in the striking battle and even scoring a takedown for good measure. On paper, Qaisi scored more significant strikes in Rounds 2 and 3 as well, but it was Rivera with the bigger moments and more powerful shots in the eyes of the judges. On the fight, Qaisi outlanded Rivera 44-to-36 in terms of significant strikes and 54-to-45 in total strikes, while both men secured two takedowns. Rivera did most of his damage to the head, while Qaisi recorded nine significant leg strikes to Rivera's one. While Qaisi didn't get the nod from the judges, he showed he's capable of competing at this level.
Making UFC debut in August
Alqaisi signed a UFC contract Wednesday and will make his promotional debut Aug. 8 against Irwin Rivera at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Farah Hannoun of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
The first Jordanian-born fighter in UFC history, Alqaisi owns a career 8-3-0 MMA record. For his inaugural UFC fight, Alqaisi will be taking on a reeling fighter in Rivera, who took a unanimous decision loss while taking on Giga Chikadze as a short-notice replacement in a featherweight bout at UFC Jacksonville back on May 16.
The first Jordanian-born fighter in UFC history, Alqaisi owns a career 8-3-0 MMA record. For his inaugural UFC fight, Alqaisi will be taking on a reeling fighter in Rivera, who took a unanimous decision loss while taking on Giga Chikadze as a short-notice replacement in a featherweight bout at UFC Jacksonville back on May 16.