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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Haigh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manu Tuilagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!
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| 170 cm
21
175 lbs
9 - 3 - 0 |
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174 cm
22
175 lbs
6 - 0 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Counter fighter
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
9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Haigh!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Manu Tuilagi!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Vladimir Khabensky and Dmitry Maklakov.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tuilagi slips a jab from Haigh.
Haigh connects with a jab.
Haigh throws a body punch but Tuilagi moves out of range.
Haigh throws a body punch but Tuilagi moves out of range.
Haigh misses with a wild combination.
Haigh lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Tuilagi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Haigh throws a looping overhand right but Tuilagi ducks down to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Haigh.
Haigh looks to land a left hand but Tuilagi moved out of range nicely.
Tuilagi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Haigh is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Tuilagi tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tuilagi has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Tuilagi cracks Haigh with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Haigh is working to avoid the ground and pound but Tuilagi connects with a decent elbow.
Haigh takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Tuilagi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Tuilagi cracks Haigh with a big right hand but Haigh just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Haigh tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tuilagi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Tuilagi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haigh keeps working.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haigh takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Haigh some visible discomfort.
Haigh manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Tuilagi wants to control but Haigh is keeping busy.
Tuilagi won't allow Haigh to pass to mount.
Tuilagi is doing well to control the position and prevent Haigh from advancing to side control.
Tuilagi is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haigh sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tuilagi defending well though.
Tuilagi missing with punches from the bottom.
Haigh is trying to control the action in half guard but Tuilagi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tuilagi is trying is best to control the position here.
Haigh is thwarting Tuilagi's attempts to control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Haigh haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
OK we're going to have a standup here. Manu Tuilagi hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Haigh scores with the left hand. Tuilagi knows he should have avoided that one.
Haigh misses with a straight right.
A low kick from Tuilagi misses
and Haigh counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tuilagi thinking.
Haigh missing with a left hand there. Tuilagi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tuilagi moves out of range of the strikes.
Tuilagi fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Haigh to the ground. Tuilagi is now in Haigh's guard.
Haigh seems keen to control Tuilagi's posture.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tuilagi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haigh bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tuilagi's guard.
Tuilagi can't keep his opponent in guard - Haigh advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haigh trying to control from Tuilagi's half guard. Tuilagi has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Tuilagi has control of Haigh's left arm, preventing Haigh from doing any damage.
Tuilagi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Haigh defends well.
Tuilagi is trying to keep Haigh in close.
Tuilagi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Haigh manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tuilagi throws a big right hand that misses.
Haigh not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Manu Tuilagi dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Tuilagi moves to clinch but Haigh breaks away
and Haigh counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Haigh ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tuilagi moves away.
Tuilagi tries to clinch but Haigh moves out of range.
Haigh lands an overhand right.
Tuilagi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Haigh.
Tuilagi looks for a takedown but Haigh sprawls well.
Haigh blocks a low kick nicely.
Tuilagi misses with a takedown attempt - Haigh sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A shot to the liver by Haigh. Beautiful body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Haigh pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Haigh gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Haigh is looking to stand back up but Tuilagi counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Haigh.
Haigh is trying to stand.
Haigh looking for submissions off his back.
Haigh wants to improve his position but Tuilagi is controlling well.
Tuilagi trying to control from half guard but Haigh is working away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haigh is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tuilagi's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tuilagi's back!
You can see the frustration on Tuilagi's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Haigh missing with strikes.
Tuilagi has hold of Haigh's arm. He needs to escape this position sooner or later but for now he's happy enough to control the position and prevent the submission attempts.
Tuilagi preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Haigh.
Tuilagi tries to escape the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tuilagi trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Haigh throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Haigh is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Tuilagi knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Tuilagi for a finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Haigh gets his hands free as Tuilagi looks to control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi can't escape the position.
Haigh missing with strikes from the back.
I really don't envy Tuilagi right now.
Haigh throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Haigh gets his hands free as Tuilagi looks to control.
Tuilagi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Haigh misses with an elbow to the head.
Haigh missing with strikes.
Haigh is hanging on to Tuilagi's back as he tries to escape.
Haigh struggling to land strikes to the head as Tuilagi covers up.
Tuilagi tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Tuilagi is trying to escape the mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haigh wants to control but Tuilagi has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Haigh prevents Tuilagi from improving his position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tuilagi trying to hold on to Haigh's head to control him but Haigh postures up.
Tuilagi is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Haigh missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tuilagi slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Haigh postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that John Haigh will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Tuilagi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tuilagi throws a body punch but Haigh moves out of range.
Tuilagi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Haigh getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Haigh misses with a straight left.
Tuilagi misses with a hook. Haigh ducked under it nicely.
Tuilagi drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Haigh is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tuilagi is aware though and is defending well.
Tuilagi trying to control the position from guard on top but Haigh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tuilagi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Haigh trying to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Haigh working for submissions but it's allowed Tuilagi to get to half guard.
Haigh is looking to control Tuilagi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Haigh avoid being mounted?
Haigh is not content to let Tuilagi control the position.
Tuilagi prevents Haigh from improving his position.
Tuilagi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Haigh doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tuilagi.
Haigh is looking to escape.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi prevents Haigh from improving his position.
Tuilagi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Haigh is concentrating on defense, preventing Tuilagi from advancing position.
Tuilagi drops an elbow to the side of Haigh's head.
Tuilagi slips a nice elbow through Haigh's hands, connecting with Haigh's forehead.
Tuilagi working the head and body with strikes.
Tuilagi lands with a punch from half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haigh looking for submissions off his back.
Tuilagi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Haigh is just riding it out for now. Tuilagi eventually gives up the hold.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi is trying to control. Haigh wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tuilagi winds up and cracks Haigh with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tuilagi wants to pass the guard but Haigh is defending well.
Tuilagi works his way into full mount!
Tuilagi working the ground and pound effectively.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haigh wants to control but Tuilagi is having none of it.
Haigh slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Haigh moves into full guard.
Haigh had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tuilagi defends it easily.
Tuilagi slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tuilagi wants to control from the top but Haigh keeps moving.
Tuilagi works a leg free and moves into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Manu Tuilagi really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Haigh swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tuilagi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Haigh scores with a shot to the side of Tuilagi's head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Haigh creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Haigh breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A punch combination from Haigh misses.
Haigh misses with an uppercut.
Tuilagi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Haigh looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Haigh is looking for a sweep.
Haigh is not content to let Tuilagi control the position.
Haigh regains half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuilagi prevents Haigh from standing back up.
Haigh wants to improve his position but Tuilagi is controlling well.
Tuilagi wants to control but Haigh is keeping him busy.
Tuilagi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tuilagi working Haigh over with strikes.
Haigh is trying to get back to full guard.
Tuilagi winds up and cracks Haigh with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tuilagi is nestled in close to Haigh, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tuilagi controlling the pace.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Haigh's head.
Tuilagi keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Tuilagi throwing shots but Haigh is blocking nicely.
Haigh is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tuilagi pulls his head out easily.
Tuilagi lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tuilagi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haigh keeps working.
Haigh is looking to improve his position.
Tuilagi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Haigh's head.
Manu Tuilagi has got the better of the ground game so far.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi drops an elbow to the side of Haigh's head.
Tuilagi is looking for a kimura here.
Haigh wants to get back to full guard.
Tuilagi lands with a punch from half guard.
Tuilagi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Tuilagi working over Haigh with some ground and pound. Haigh looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Tuilagi slips a nice elbow through Haigh's hands, connecting with Haigh's forehead.
Tuilagi is keen to just control but Haigh is a slippery customer.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi working Haigh over with strikes.
Haigh wants to control but Tuilagi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tuilagi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haigh keeps working.
Tuilagi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Haigh has managed to free his arm - good work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tuilagi prevents Haigh from standing back up.
Haigh has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tuilagi is working away from the top position though.
Tuilagi is looking for a kimura here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tuilagi passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Manu Tuilagi dominated that fourth round.
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.
Haigh punishes Tuilagi's body with a nice straight punch.
Tuilagi darts in and clinches Haigh up against the cage.
The referee calls for Tuilagi to work.
Haigh swings wildly with an uppercut but Tuilagi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tuilagi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Tuilagi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tuilagi shoots for a takedown but Haigh saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuilagi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Haigh.
Haigh lands an overhand right.
John Haigh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tuilagi shoots for a double leg takedown but Haigh sprawls well. He's pushed Tuilagi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Haigh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Haigh waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tuilagi.
Haigh misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tuilagi blocks a jab.
Tuilagi staying out of range there.
Tuilagi lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Haigh backs up against the cage.
John Haigh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tuilagi slips under a jab.
John Haigh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuilagi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Haigh throws out the jab.
Tuilagi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Haigh.
John Haigh is winning the standup battle so far.
Haigh stuffs the takedown attempt from Tuilagi. Tuilagi gets slowly back to his feet.
John Haigh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manu Tuilagi.
Haigh lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
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!
Tuilagi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Haigh swinging wildly here.
Haigh throws a big shot that misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haigh misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Haigh loads up on a big right hand but Tuilagi slips the punch.
Haigh throws the left hand but Tuilagi avoids the punch easily.
Tuilagi ducks under a wild hook from Haigh.
Tuilagi feints and as Haigh raises his hands in defense, Tuilagi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tuilagi trying to control the position from guard on top but Haigh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Haigh looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tuilagi is one step ahead there.
Tuilagi throws a strike but Haigh rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haigh in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Haigh wants to stand but Tuilagi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Tuilagi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Tuilagi prevents Haigh from getting the reversal.
Manu Tuilagi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tuilagi lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tuilagi looking to secure an arm triangle but Haigh defends it well.
Haigh flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
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 John Haigh.
I think Tuilagi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 47:48
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 47:48
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 45:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manu Tuilagi!
Manu Tuilagi is the new welterweight champion!
Manu Tuilagi made sure to mention his sponsor, Gojira Industries in his post fight interview.
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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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