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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joeli Babitu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Rich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Babitu comes to the cage accompanied by Na Bogi Koya. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 188 cm
22
180 lbs
12 - 0 - 0 |
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177 cm
22
180 lbs
8 - 4 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very quick |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank |
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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
12 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joeli Babitu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rick Rich!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Babitu feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rich's calf.
Rich fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Babitu avoids it really well and circles away.
Babitu throws a head kick that misses.
Rich shoots for a takedown but Babitu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Babitu lands a high kick!
Babitu's corner calls for a 1-2. Babitu obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rich chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Babitu can pounce on him.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Babitu.
Babitu throws a leg kick but Rich sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Horrible takedown by Rich or perhaps it was just good defense by Babitu which made him look bad.
Joeli Babitu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Rich.
Babitu lands with an uppercut that bounces Rich off the cage and back into range.
Joeli Babitu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Babitu throws a head kick but Rich moves out of range.
Babitu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rich forces Babitu back against the cage and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Babitu is pushing Rich up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rich has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Babitu avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rich drops down looking for an ankle pick but Babitu pulls his leg out and moves away.
Babitu throws a leg kick which misses Rich's front leg but catches the back leg as Rich tries to avoid it.
Rich is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Babitu's half guard.
Rich wants to control but Babitu is keeping him busy.
Babitu has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rich is working away from the top position though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rich is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Babitu sees it coming and defends easily.
Rich seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rich trying to control from Babitu's half guard. Babitu has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Rich tries to stand but Babitu is controlling from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rich controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
OK we're going to have a standup here. Rick Rich hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Babitu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Babitu thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rich if he has to take too many more of those.
Rich throws a head kick but Babitu moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Rich.
Rich gets the takedown into side control.
Rich tries to get to his feet but Babitu is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with Rich in his guard.
Rich looking to sit in guard and control but Babitu gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rich not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rich is adopting a defensive guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Rick Rich will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Babitu thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rich if he has to take too many more of those.
Rich has a takedown stuffed.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rich is defended easily by Babitu.
Babitu thumps Rich with a low kick.
Babitu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Babitu explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A nice leg kick lands there from Babitu.
Rich takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Babitu scores with a push kick.
Babitu feints and then cracks Rich's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rich down.
Babitu throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Babitu thuds his shin into the meat of Rich's side.
Rich has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Babitu.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Babitu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Joeli Babitu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rich tries to clinch but Babitu is having none of it.
Babitu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Babitu fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rich takes a kick to the side of the head.
Babitu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Babitu connects with an inside leg kick.
Babitu misses with a body shot.
Babitu bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Babitu thumps Rich with a low kick.
Babitu lands with a kick to the temple. Rich shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A solid leg kick lands there for Babitu.
Babitu throws a head kick but Rich moves out of range.
Rich has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Babitu.
Babitu lands with a good body shot.
Babitu throws a leg kick which misses Rich's front leg but catches the back leg as Rich tries to avoid it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rich shoots in for a takedown but Babitu shows good takedown defense.
Joeli Babitu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Rich.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Babitu tries a head kick but it misses.
Babitu throws a head kick that misses.
Babitu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rich. That did some damage!
Babitu wants to slow Rich down by chopping away at his legs.
Babitu throws a leg kick which misses Rich's front leg but catches the back leg as Rich tries to avoid it.
Babitu scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Babitu throws a leg kick which misses Rich's front leg but catches the back leg as Rich tries to avoid it.
Rich has his takedown stuffed
and Babitu counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Rich stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Babitu.
Rich has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Babitu.
Babitu misses with a head kick.
Rich avoids the head kick by Babitu.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babitu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rich.
Rich's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Babitu throws a head kick that Rich semi-blocks.
Babitu connects with a solid leg kick.
Babitu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
An inside leg kick lands from Babitu.
That kick from Babitu tenderised Rich's leg. Rich is trying to keep his angry face on.
Babitu swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rich.
Babitu keeps Rich at a distance using the push kick.
Babitu tries to keep at a distance but Rich has taken the fight into the clinch.
Babitu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Babitu lands a high kick!
Babitu defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rich.
Babitu is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rich tries for a takedown but Babitu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rich is breathing heavily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Babitu.
Babitu connects with a solid leg kick.
Rich takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Babitu fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rich.
Rich takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Rich shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Babitu as he avoids it easily.
Babitu thumps Rich with a low kick.
Rich takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Babitu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rich. That did some damage!
Babitu misses with a head kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rich takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Babitu lands a nice looking body shot.
Rich shoots in for a takedown but Babitu shows good takedown defense.
Babitu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joeli Babitu dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Rich closes this distance looking for a takedown but Babitu circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rich is defended easily by Babitu.
Babitu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rich takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Babitu thumps Rich with a low kick.
Rich blocks a head kick by Babitu.
Babitu goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Babitu throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Rich walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Babitu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Babitu scores with a leg kick.
Babitu plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Babitu throws a leg kick which misses Rich's front leg but catches the back leg as Rich tries to avoid it.
A head kick from Babitu lands but Rich takes it in his stride.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rich.
Joeli Babitu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Rich.
Rich takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rich 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.
Babitu scores with a jab. Rich acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Babitu feints and then cracks Rich's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rich down.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Babitu, right into the meat.
Babitu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rich keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Babitu lands with a kick to the temple. Rich shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Rich looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rich tries to close the distance and clinch but Babitu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Babitu is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Babitu lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rich steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Babitu. That one must have hurt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babitu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Babitu cracks the inside of Rich's front leg.
Rick Rich is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rich blocks a head kick by Babitu.
Rich shoots in but Babitu avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Babitu throws a head kick that misses.
Babitu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rich sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Rich closes this distance looking for a takedown but Babitu circles away.
Rich shoots in but Babitu avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Babitu connects with an inside leg kick.
Babitu lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Babitu throws a head kick that half lands.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babitu goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Rich changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Babitu tries to avoid it but Rich manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Babitu to the ground. Babitu escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Rich crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Babitu - the referee stops the clock and Rich gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Babitu. Rich manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Rich on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Babitu. Babitu obviously looking to wear him down.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Babitu.
Babitu thows a body kick. Rich tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Babitu lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rich looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rich takes a kick to the side of the head.
Babitu fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rich.
Babitu throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Babitu throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Babitu throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Babitu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rich tries to clinch up but Babitu circles away and keeps his distance.
Babitu fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rich shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
An inside leg kick lands from Babitu.
Babitu cracks Rich with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rich blocks a head kick by Babitu.
Babitu fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Babitu misses with a head kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rich shoots for a takedown but Babitu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rich avoids the head kick by Babitu.
Babitu scores with a kick to the midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joeli Babitu clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Rich shoots in looking for a takedown but Babitu manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rich's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Babitu connects with an inside leg kick.
Babitu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rich.
That kick from Babitu tenderised Rich's leg. Rich is trying to keep his angry face on.
Babitu stuffs the takedown attempt from Rich. Rich gets slowly back to his feet.
Joeli Babitu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Rich.
Babitu lands a high kick!
Babitu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Babitu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rich is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A nice inside leg kick there by Babitu. That's going to slow Rich down.
Rich tries to score a power double leg takedown but Babitu sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rich somewhat.
An inside leg kick lands from Babitu.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Babitu throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Babitu lands a head kick. Rich smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A head kick misses from Babitu.
Babitu pushes Rich away with a front kick.
Rich fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rich blocks a head kick by Babitu.
Babitu misses with a low kick.
Babitu scores with a kick to the midsection.
Babitu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rich throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Babitu's waist but Babitu gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rich off to one side.
Rich takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Babitu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rich can do to turn this around?
Rich fails in his attempt to clinch.
Babitu lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Babitu, right into the meat.
Rich rushes Babitu and presses him up against the cage.
Babitu breaks from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rich tries for a takedown but Babitu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rich shoots in looking for a takedown but Babitu manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rich's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Babitu scores with a jab to the body.
Babitu lands a high kick!
Babitu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rich.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Babitu. Rich shrugs it off though.
Babitu cracks the inside of Rich's front leg.
Rich takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Babitu throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rich's head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rich tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Babitu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice straight punches there by Babitu. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Babitu.
Rich misses with a few strikes there.
Rich is looking to clinch.
A head kick misses from Babitu.
Babitu goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Babitu lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rich will feel that in the morning.
Rich closes this distance looking for a takedown but Babitu circles away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Babitu, right into the meat.
Babitu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rich.
Babitu lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Babitu scores with a leg kick.
Rich takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babitu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rich. That did some damage!
Babitu lands a high kick!
Babitu leaves Rich with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rich shoots in looking for a takedown but Babitu manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rich's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
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!
Babitu lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Babitu throws a sloppy head kick and Rich moves out of range easily.
Babitu scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Crunch! Babitu slams his shin into Rich's torso.
Babitu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Crunch! Babitu slams his shin into Rich's torso.
A cross from Babitu lands.
Joeli Babitu is winning the standup battle so far.
Babitu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joeli Babitu had his way with Rick Rich in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!
Rich takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Rich tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rich on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Babitu gets caught flat footed, as Rich shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Babitu bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rich's guard.
Rich working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Babitu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Babitu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rich managing to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Babitu stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nice takedown defense from Babitu. No joy for Rich on that attempt.
Rich avoids the head kick by Babitu.
Babitu explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Rich finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rich fails to land the takedown.
Babitu throws a leg kick which misses Rich's front leg but catches the back leg as Rich tries to avoid it.
Joeli Babitu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Babitu, right into the meat.
Babitu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Babitu scores with a head kick. Rich tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Babitu misses with a head kick.
Rich moves out of range of the body kick from Babitu.
Babitu throws a head kick but Rich moves out of range.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Babitu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Babitu scores with a spinning back kick!
Rich shoots in for a double leg but Babitu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Joeli Babitu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Rich.
Rich moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rich shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rich showed some decent athleticism there.
Rich is just content to waste time from the top position. Babitu takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rich not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rich missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rich is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
OK we're going to have a standup here. Rick Rich hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Babitu scores with a nice body kick.
Rich has a takedown stuffed.
Rich tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Babitu swivels and escapes.
A head kick from Babitu lands but Rich takes it in his stride.
Rich dives in and grabs Babitu's left leg, looking for a takedown. Babitu pushes down on Rich's head and hops out.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Babitu bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Babitu throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Babitu.
Rick Rich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Babitu throws a nice head kick!
And that's the end of the fight!
Joeli Babitu showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Babitu 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:46
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:46
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joeli Babitu!
Joeli Babitu retains his welterweight title!
Joeli Babitu decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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