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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tong Van damm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maricue Russel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van damm comes to the cage accompanied by Life Goes On. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 198 cm
31
200 lbs
24 - 17 - 0 |
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190 cm
24
200 lbs
9 - 4 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
24 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tong Van damm!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Maricue Russel!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van damm tests Russel's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Van damm stuffs the takedown attempt from Russel. Russel gets slowly back to his feet.
Van damm shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Van damm got a little sloppy there for a moment and Russel has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Van damm has managed to get both his arms back between Russel's legs - danger averted.
Van damm working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Van damm postures up.
Russel keeping full guard, as Van damm tries to pass.
Van damm won't allow Russel to sweep him here.
Van damm drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Russel manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Van damm has Russel in his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Russel trying to control but Van damm is working from the bottom.
Russel looking to sit in guard and control but Van damm gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Russel has his foot on Van damm's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Van damm works his way back into a safe position though.
Van damm slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Van damm lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van damm accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Van damm stands up over Russel, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Van damm slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Van damm throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Russel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Van damm wants to pass the guard but Russel is keeping the position.
Van damm throws a strike but Russel rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Van damm is trying to control the position from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van damm keeping full guard, as Russel tries to pass.
Russel postures up in Van damm's guard and throws a big left but Van damm blocks it.
Van damm has momentary wrist control but Russel slips an elbow through the middle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russel throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Russel throws a strike but Van damm rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Russel keeping moving, preventing Van damm from controlling successfully.
Van damm pushes down on Russel's leg and manages to get into half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van damm is pressing down on Russel's thigh, looking to free his foot. Russel is holding on for now.
Van damm working Russel over with strikes.
Russel is looking for a sweep. Van damm is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Russel on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van damm thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Russel tries to roll over but Van damm keeps him under control.
Van damm is pressing down on Russel's thigh, looking to free his foot. Russel is holding on for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Tong Van damm dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Van damm looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Van damm trying to control but Russel is working from the bottom.
Russel keeping full guard, as Van damm tries to pass.
Van damm trying to control the position from guard on top but Russel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van damm is one step ahead there.
Russel has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Van damm has passed into side control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Russel dodges the ground and pound from Van damm.
The strikes coming from Van damm are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Van damm working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Van damm is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Russel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Russel manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van damm keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Van damm trying to hold on to Russel's head to control him but Russel postures up.
Van damm is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Russel is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Van damm blocking the ground and pound attempt from Russel.
Russel looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Van damm with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Russel wants to advance to full mount but Van damm doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van damm wants to sweep here but Russel controlling him for the moment.
Van damm working a defensive guard here.
Russel postures up in Van damm's guard and throws a big left but Van damm blocks it.
Tong Van damm overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Russel throws a strike but Van damm rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Van damm won't allow Russel to sweep him here.
Russel keeping moving, preventing Van damm from controlling successfully.
Van damm chips away with some ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van damm being controlled here momentarily.
Van damm postures up.
Van damm won't allow Russel to sweep him here.
Van damm in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van damm trying to control the position from guard on top but Russel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van damm throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Tong Van damm dominated that second round.
That's time! Van damm's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Van damm lands a body shot.
That kick from Van damm tenderised Russel's leg. Russel is trying to keep his angry face on.
Van damm goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Russel on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Russel gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Van damm.
Russel moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Van damm tries for a takedown but Russel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Russel takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A punch lands to the side of Russel 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Russel shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Van damm as he avoids it easily.
Russel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Van damm avoids it really well and circles away.
Russel takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Russel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Van damm cracks the inside of Russel's front leg.
Van damm fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Russel.
Van damm lands with a kick to the temple. Russel shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Van damm connects with an inside leg kick.
Van damm shoots in and bounces Russel off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Russel keeping moving, preventing Van damm from controlling successfully.
Russel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van damm trying to control the position from guard on top but Russel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van damm trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Russel looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Van damm passes Russel's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Van damm looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Van damm wants to take a breather but Russel is having none of it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russel slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Van damm is looking to work some ground and pound but Russel has wrist control.
Russel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Van damm is one step ahead there.
Van damm wants to control from the top but Russel keeps moving.
Van damm in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russel wants to hit a switch here but Van damm passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Russel there!
Van damm is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Russel has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Russel!
Russel throws a big right hand that misses.
Van damm looking to hit a scissor sweep but Russel is one step ahead there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russel wants to stand but Van damm has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Van damm trying to keep a closed guard but Russel is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Tong Van damm clearly takes that round.
That's time! Van damm's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Russel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Russel gets a takedown into half guard.
Russel sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Van damm defending well though.
Russel passes to side control.
Van damm can't do much from the bottom here.
Russel is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Van damm knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Van damm is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Van damm struggling a bit here.
Russel wants to control but Van damm is keeping him busy.
Van damm sneaks back into half guard.
Russel is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Van damm doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Russel.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van damm is trying to get back to full guard.
Russel seems to be looking for submissions.
Russel is keen to just control but Van damm is a slippery customer.
Russel is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Van damm has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Van damm manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van damm wants to sweep here but Russel controlling him for the moment.
Van damm is trying to keep Russel in close.
Russel preventing the sweep.
Van damm looking for a guillotine here but Russel defends easily.
Russel won't allow Van damm to sweep him here.
Russel throws a big right hand that misses.
Russel postures up and lands a big shot to Van damm's brow.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van damm working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Russel.
Russel wants to control from the top but Van damm keeps moving.
Van damm looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Russel postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Van damm looking for a guillotine here but Russel defends easily.
Russel passes Van damm's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van damm slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Van damm seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Maricue Russel dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Russel throws out a loose jab but Van damm uses good head movement to avoid it.
Russel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Russel looks for a takedown but Van damm sprawls well.
Russel moves out of range of the body kick.
Maricue Russel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Good leg kick by Van damm there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Russel connects with a looping right hand.
Van damm bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Russel misses with a body kick.
Russel misses with a straight right.
Van damm ducks under a wild hook from Russel.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Van damm is looking to slow Russel down with leg kicks.
Van damm keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Russel is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Russel shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Van damm napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Van damm is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Russel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Van damm keeps working.
Van damm manages to work his way to half guard, despite Russel's best efforts.
Van damm trying to control here.
Van damm on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van damm has hold of Russel's hands but Russel slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russel not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Russel tries to pass the half guard into mount. Van damm knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Van damm trying to control from the bottom.
Russel wants to take a breather but Van damm is having none of it.
Russel seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Russel thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Van damm's head.
Van damm avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Russel.
Russel prevents Van damm from improving his position.
Van damm is working hard here to advance position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russel lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Van damm is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Russel missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Russel trying to control from half guard but Van damm is working away.
Russel is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Van damm is just riding it out for now. Russel eventually gives up the hold.
Maricue Russel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Russel thows a huge punch but Van damm dodges it nicely.
Tong Van damm is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russel not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ground and pound from Russel.
Russel prevents Van damm from improving his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russel is looking for submissions but instead, Van damm has regained full guard.
Russel wants to control from the top but Van damm keeps moving.
And that's the end of the fight!
Maricue Russel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Van damm has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tong Van damm!
Tong Van damm is the new middleweight champion!
A relieved looking Tong Van damm thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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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
90% |
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