|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Taj al Din (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ernie Els (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). al Din kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is قنب هندي. The crowd seem to be enjoying Els's choice of entrance music: Chamillionaire - Don't Shoot. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
 |
|
 |
| 187 cm
33
209 lbs
44 - 9 - 0 |
|
188 cm
35
211 lbs
18 - 6 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
|
Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
44 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Taj al Din!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ernie Els!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Chris Edwards and Paul Tew.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
al Din throws a jab when Els was well out of range.
Nice shot by al Din.
The fighters circling - Els throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Els takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
al Din attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
al Din lands with a nice combination. Els backs away looking to recover.
Els drops his hands momentarily and al Din takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Els blocks the body kick.
Els throws a head kick that misses.
al Din throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
al Din misses with a body kick.
Els does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Els tries a head kick but it misses.
Els feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to al Din's calf.
Taj al Din seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
al Din looks to land a right hand but Els moved out of range.
Els moves out of range of the body kick from al Din.
A slow jab from Els misses its intended target.
al Din throws a leg kick but Els sees it coming and checks it nicely.
al Din scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Els throws a shot to the body.
al Din scores with a head kick. Els tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from al Din. Els does a little dance to reset his feet.
Els with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
al Din ducks under a wild hook from Els.
Els jabs al Din to the body, keeping him at a distance.
al Din lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Els at a distance.
al Din scores with a jab.
A head kick misses from Els.
al Din looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Els misses with a head kick.
Els throws a predictable looking body shot
and al Din counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Els is trying to get back to full guard.
al Din looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
al Din thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Els's head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
al Din is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
al Din with the ground and pound but Els uses the opportunity to regain guard.
al Din trying to control but Els is working from the bottom.
al Din tries to free his leg and advance position but Els is retaining full guard.
al Din throwing strikes from guard but Els blocks nicely.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
al Din throws a strike but Els rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Els slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Els trying to control the position from guard on top but al Din is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Els showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ernie Els wasn't active enough on the ground.
al Din throws a right and a left that Els avoids nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Els.
al Din misses the shot to the body.
Els walks into a left hand.
Els throws a jab but it's blocked by al Din.
Els checks a leg kick nicely.
al Din misses with an uppercut. Els saw that one coming.
Els on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
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!
An inside leg kick from al Din misses.
Els looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Some bone on bone action there as Els checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
al Din throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Els clobbers al Din with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Els uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from al Din.
Els thumps al Din with a low kick.
al Din scores with a body shot.
al Din has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Els.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Taj al Din dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Els throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
al Din fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Els has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Els tries to land a leg kick but al Din saw it coming and moves away.
al Din with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Els lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Els throws a front kick that sends al Din stumbling back into the cage.
Els takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Els checks the leg kick nicely there.
al Din looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Els misses with a hook. al Din ducked under it nicely.
A big right from Els misses.
al Din scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Els lands a jab.
al Din misses with a low kick as Els jumps back.
Els throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
al Din scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
al Din slips a jab from Els.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Els cracks al Din with a right hand to the side of the head.
al Din misses with a low kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Els.
Els throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Els finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
al Din throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
al Din lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
al Din throws a low kick but it's checked well by Els.
Els misses the shot to the body.
Els scores with a spinning back kick!
Els looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Els takes a swing at al Din's ribcage but misses.
Good exchange - al Din coming out on top.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
al Din tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
al Din dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
al Din connects with a solid leg kick.
A punch combination from al Din misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
al Din keeps Els at a distance using the push kick.
al Din lets loose with a powerful body kick. Els will feel that in the morning.
Els scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A bone on bone clash there as al Din blocks the leg kick.
al Din throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Els.
Els scoring well with a low kick there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Els checks a leg kick.
Els scores with a nice body kick.
al Din throws a looping overhand right but Els ducks down to avoid it.
al Din lands a leg kick that knocks Els off balance momentarily.
Els jabs at al Din's body.
Els with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Els is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by al Din.
Els misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from al Din.
Els swinging wildly here.
Good leg kick by Els there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
al Din throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Els steps to the side to avoid the strikes from al Din.
Els throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
al Din misses with a looping left.
al Din blocks a head kick by Els.
al Din pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A slow jab from al Din misses its intended target.
al Din looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Els cracks al Din with a good jab.
Taj al Din is winning the standup battle so far.
Els takes a body punch but keeps moving.
al Din is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
al Din throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Els moves out of range of the body kick from al Din.
Els works the jab nicely.
Els throws a leg kick which misses al Din's front leg but catches the back leg as al Din tries to avoid it.
Els lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Els lands with a kick to the temple. al Din shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Els takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Els is breathing heavily.
al Din misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Els.
al Din thumps Els with a low kick.
al Din throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A jab from Els misses.
al Din fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Els manages to avoid it.
Els pivots, looking for a leg kick but al Din is out of range and Els settles back down.
Els avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
al Din misses with a body shot.
al Din fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Els is out of range.
al Din fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
al Din throws a hook to the side of Els's head but Els sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Els pulls out of a head kick attempt.
al Din throws a series of punches but Els moves out of range.
Els tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Els.
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 Taj al Din will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
al Din misses with a looping left.
Nice body kick from Els.
al Din looks to land a body kick but Els moved away.
Els slips a jab and a cross from al Din.
al Din takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Els dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Els pivots, looking for a leg kick but al Din is out of range and Els settles back down.
al Din throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
al Din is looking to score with low kicks.
al Din avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Els ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
al Din uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Els.
al Din feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Els's calf.
Els goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Els, as that shot connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice inside leg kick there by al Din. That's going to slow Els down.
al Din throws a nice head kick!
That's one minute gone in the round.
al Din looks to score with a jab to the body but Els is just out of range.
al Din avoids the body shot from Els.
al Din with a hook.
Els scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Els lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Els throws a sloppy head kick and al Din moves out of range easily.
Els getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
al Din connects with an inside leg kick.
al Din throws a low kick but Els moves out of range easily.
Els checks a leg kick.
A left lands for al Din.
Els slips a jab from al Din.
al Din comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Els connects with a solid leg kick.
Els avoids the head kick by al Din.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
al Din dodges the punch combination from Els.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
al Din tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Els was well out of range. Poor timing from al Din.
al Din throws a hook but Els avoids it easily.
Els misses with a low kick.
al Din misses with a jab, cross combination.
Good work by Els as he checks the leg kick.
al Din blocks the body kick.
Els fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd cheers as al Din lands an impressive looking overhand right. Els doesn't seem phased though.
al Din connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Els's hands.
al Din lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Els circles away quickly and effectively.
Els slips under a jab from al Din.
Els moves out of range of the leg kick from al Din.
al Din moves away from the strike by Els.
Els cracks al Din with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A big right from al Din misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Els takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Els scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
al Din pushes Els away with a front kick.
Els's jab looks to have found its range, popping al Din under the eye.
An inside leg kick lands from Els.
Els checks a leg kick nicely.
al Din tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Els slips a jab and a cross from al Din.
al Din throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
al Din takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
al Din takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
al Din misses with a body kick.
Els fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Els fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and al Din has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Els scores with a nice strike.
al Din takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Els misses with a body kick.
Els lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Els lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and al Din has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from al Din and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Els lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but al Din circles away quickly and effectively.
al Din keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
al Din takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Els connects with a jab.
Els dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on al Din. That did some damage!
al Din 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.
Good standup being displayed there by al Din as he connects with a hook.
al Din lets loose with a powerful body kick. Els will feel that in the morning.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
al Din misses with a body kick.
al Din doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Els keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Els misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from al Din.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ernie Els really dominated that 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.
al Din thows a leg kick but Els checks it
and Els makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
al Din chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Els can pounce on him.
al Din tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Els is able to avoid easily.
Els scores with a leg kick.
al Din tries to land a leg kick but Els saw it coming and moves away.
al Din smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
al Din staying out of range there.
Els blocks a jab.
al Din closes the distance and lands a one-two.
al Din takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
al Din fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Els manages to avoid it.
al Din looks for the body kick but Els saw that one coming.
al Din dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
al Din has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from al Din there as he acknowledges the shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
al Din is looking to land body kicks.
al Din throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
al Din throws a wild body kick that Els sees coming a mile off.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by al Din.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
al Din lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Els circles away quickly and effectively.
al Din chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Els can pounce on him.
Els throws a nice inside leg kick.
Els has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from al Din.
Els connects with a solid leg kick.
Els moves out of range of the body kick from al Din.
al Din throws a lazy right hand but Els sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
al Din misses with a looping left.
Good exchange - Els coming out on top.
Els thows a body shot but no joy.
Els throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Els moves out of range as al Din strikes.
Els lands an overhand right.
al Din goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
al Din does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Els fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Els keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
al Din sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
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!
al Din throws the kick towards the body but Els avoids it.
al Din walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
al Din chopping away at his opponent's legs.
al Din takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Els connects with a crisp jab.
Els displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as al Din throws out the jab.
al Din throws the kick towards the body but Els avoids it.
al Din misses with a few strikes there.
Els lands a nice shot that snaps al Din's head back.
al Din looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Els throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
al Din jabbing away but nothing is landing.
al Din looks to land a body kick but Els moved away.
Els throws a right hand that misses
and al Din counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Els's guard now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Els is on top in guard.
Els trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Els stays in close to al Din's body and controls the position.
Els postures up.
al Din escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Els gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
al Din is looking for a triangle but Els pushes his legs off easily.
Els stays in close to al Din's body and controls the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Els postures up.
Els slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Taj al Din overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
al Din has an active guard here but Els has managed to pass into half guard.
al Din is holding on to half guard well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
al Din is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Ernie Els will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
A looping hook to the body misses from Els. al Din does a little dance to reset his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Els. al Din does a little dance to reset his feet.
Els fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt al Din.
Els thows a body shot but no joy.
al Din throws a sloppy head kick and Els moves out of range easily.
A combination from Els does no damage.
Els keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
al Din throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
al Din scores with a nice body kick.
al Din misses with a kick to the body.
al Din shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Els eats them both and turns towards al Din to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
al Din throws a body punch but Els moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Els.
al Din misses with a jab, cross combination.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Els bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps al Din's head backwards.
al Din throws a head kick but Els moves out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Els cracks al Din with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
al Din pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A clash of legs there as Els blocks the low kick.
Els scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
al Din tries a low kick but Els avoids it.
Els showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from al Din.
al Din walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Els checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nice jab there from Els.
al Din scores with a nice body kick.
Els motions for al Din to come forward. Els throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Els scores with a leg kick.
al Din thows a left - swing and a miss!
Els ducks under a wild hook from al Din.
al Din thuds his right hand into Els's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
al Din misses with a looping right.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Els throws a solid leg kick but al Din takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Els.
al Din tried to score with a low kick but Els checks it.
Els connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
al Din misses with a leg kick.
Els feints and then cracks al Din's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow al Din down.
That kick from Els tenderised al Din's leg. al Din is trying to keep his angry face on.
al Din misses with a body shot.
al Din throws a low kick but Els avoids it.
al Din looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Els connects with a good right hand that stumbles al Din. al Din circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Els lands with a nice body kick.
Els throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Els walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nice shot by Els.
Nice body punch from al Din.
al Din misses with a low kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Els cracks al Din with a good jab.
al Din shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
al Din ducks under a wild hook from Els.
al Din scores with a shot to the body.
al Din tries to land a leg kick but Els saw it coming and moves away.
Els defending well as al Din loads up on a big left hand.
Els lands a nice leg kick that just misses al Din's sensitive parts.
Els lands with a cross.
al Din takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
al Din blocks a head kick by Els.
Els misses with a low kick.
al Din loads up on a big right hand but Els slips the punch.
Els avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A swing and a miss from al Din.
al Din throws a looping overhand right but Els ducks down to avoid it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
al Din misses with a low kick.
Els throws a low kick, looking for al Din's leg but al Din calmly moves out of range.
Els throws a leg kick that misses.
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!
al Din loads up on a big right hand but Els slips the punch.
Els bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A head kick misses from Els.
Els moves out of range as al Din throws a body kick.
al Din misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Els.
al Din cracks a nice hook into Els's ribs.
Els lands with a slapping head kick.
Els blocks a jab.
Els walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
That kick from Els tenderised al Din's leg. al Din is trying to keep his angry face on.
Els thows a body shot but no joy.
al Din goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
al Din throws a leg kick which misses Els's front leg but catches the back leg as Els tries to avoid it.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ernie Els.
I think Els 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 William Gold scores the fight 47:48
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 48:48
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 49:46
The fight is ruled a draw!
Taj al Din retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
