|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Joaozinho Gurgel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Bird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.
 |
|
 |
| 193 cm
37
244 lbs
19 - 10 - 0 |
|
170 cm
35
144 lbs
31 - 6 - 0 |
World class boxer
Insanely flexible
|
|
World class MT
Good gas tank
|
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joaozinho Gurgel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
31 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, William Bird!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and Donald Grub.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gurgel misses with a low kick as Bird jumps back.
Gurgel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice shot by Bird.
Bird blocks a leg kick.
Gurgel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bird moves out of range of the strikes.
Gurgel takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A slow jab from Gurgel misses its intended target.
Gurgel takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Gurgel looks to score with a jab to the body but Bird is just out of range.
Bird throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Gurgel tries to clinch there but Bird circles away.
Gurgel pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bird is out of range and Gurgel settles back down.
Bird will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gurgel misses with a low kick.
Gurgel blocks a low kick nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gurgel swings away with a leg kick that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gurgel changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Gurgel tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bird counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A looping hook to the body misses from Bird. Gurgel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bird misses the jab.
Bird changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Gurgel is looking to chop away at Bird's legs.
Gurgel fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gurgel misses with a low kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bird! But no joy.
Gurgel looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Gurgel takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bird comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Gurgel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Good leg kick by Bird there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Gurgel on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Bird ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gurgel finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bird fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gurgel checks it well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird tries to land a front kick but Gurgel steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bird delivers a nice body kick.
Gurgel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bird misses with a leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Bird.
Bird throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gurgel moves out of range as Bird throws a body kick.
Bird thows a body kick. Gurgel tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Gurgel on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bird avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gurgel tries to close the distance and clinch but Bird swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gurgel on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Gurgel misses with a body kick.
Bird moves out of range of the body kick from Gurgel.
Gurgel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
William Bird seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bird slips a jab and a cross from Gurgel.
Gurgel moves to clinch but Bird breaks away
letting Bird counter with a right hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gurgel.
Gurgel misses with a low kick as Bird jumps back.
Bird steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Bird connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
It looks like Joaozinho Gurgel has been cut.
Bird lands with a nice body punch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gurgel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gurgel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bird looks to land a right hand but Gurgel moved out of range.
Gurgel throwing a counter right hand but Bird manages to avoid it.
Gurgel moves out of range of the body kick.
Gurgel tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bird is able to avoid easily.
Bird throws out a counter right but Gurgel avoids it with no problem.
Bird fakes the leg kick and cracks Gurgel in the body.
Gurgel throws a right and a left that Bird avoids nicely.
Bird throws out a counter right but Gurgel avoids it with no problem.
Bird moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Gurgel clinches up with Bird and pushes him back against the cage.
Gurgel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gurgel scores with a nice hook to the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gurgel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gurgel creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gurgel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gurgel misses with the head strike.
Bird has had enough of the clinch but Gurgel keeps him there for the moment.
Good body shot from Gurgel.
Bird landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Gurgel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bird tries to stall but Gurgel uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Bird's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gurgel scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Bird connects with a body shot.
Bird lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bird misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gurgel chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bird can pounce on him.
Bird moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gurgel is looking to slow Bird down with leg kicks.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bird swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gurgel throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bird tests Gurgel's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gurgel moves into the clinch successfully.
Gurgel blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bird scores with a shot to the side of Gurgel's head.
Bird breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gurgel misses with a low kick.
Gurgel will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Bird misses with a hook.
Gurgel darts in and clinches Bird up against the cage.
Gurgel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bird tries to land knees in the clinch but Gurgel avoids the damage to the body.
Bird wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bird unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gurgel lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gurgel.
Gurgel tries to throw a body punch but Bird avoids it by throwing Gurgel back against the cage.
Bird breaks the clinch.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Bird is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gurgel.
Gurgel is looking to counter with head kicks.
Gurgel lands a nice looking body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bird misses with a low kick.
Bird lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Both fighters circling a little - Bird finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Bird turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gurgel looks to clinch
and Bird counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Bird is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Gurgel had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Gurgel fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bird is out of range.
Bird throws a looping overhand right but Gurgel ducks down to avoid it.
Bird gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Gurgel counters with a head kick. That will keep Bird thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Bird tried to score with a low kick but Gurgel checks it.
Bird throws a sloppy head kick and Gurgel moves out of range easily.
A leg kick checked by Bird.
Gurgel wants to clinch.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bird connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bird feints and then cracks Gurgel's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Gurgel down.
Bird throws a shot to the body.
Bird tries to land a leg kick but Gurgel saw it coming and moves away.
Bird misses with a low kick.
Gurgel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gurgel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bird swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gurgel throws a body kick that misses
and Bird counters with a low kick, right behind Gurgel 's knee.
Gurgel tries a low kick but Bird avoids it.
Bird scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gurgel doesn't seem bothered though.
Gurgel connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Gurgel fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bird.
Bird misses with a kick to the body.
Gurgel throws a body kick that misses.
Gurgel is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Bird checks a low kick from Gurgel.
Gurgel tries to clinch but Bird is having none of it.
Bird darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Bird slips a jab and a cross from Gurgel.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gurgel throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Bird throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gurgel tries to clinch but Bird moves out of range.
Gurgel throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bird.
Gurgel takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gurgel is looking to land body kicks.
Bird lands a leg kick that knocks Gurgel off balance momentarily.
Gurgel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gurgel walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gurgel fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bird checks it well.
Bird turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gurgel takes a jab right on the kisser.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Bird lands a leg kick that knocks Gurgel off balance momentarily.
Gurgel misses with the combination.
Bird punishes Gurgel's body with a nice straight punch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bird.
Gurgel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bird.
Bird connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Gurgel closes the distance and clinches.
Bird blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bird unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gurgel lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bird misses with some punches.
A short uppercut from Bird.
Bird putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gurgel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Gurgel is breathing heavily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee is keeping an eye on Bird - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Bird has had enough of the clinch but Gurgel keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
William Bird dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joaozinho Gurgel's cut.
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.
Bird throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bird keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bird avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gurgel takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bird throws a leg kick which misses Gurgel's front leg but catches the back leg as Gurgel tries to avoid it.
Gurgel moves into the clinch.
Bird has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Gurgel seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Bird can turn it around.
Gurgel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gurgel takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bird lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bird lands a nice knee to the body.
Gurgel has a couple of punches blocked by Bird.
Bird lands a nice uppercut.
Bird is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bird lands an uppercut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bird using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gurgel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bird just leaning against Gurgel, taking a breather.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gurgel blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bird working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bird lands a shoulder strike.
Gurgel throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Birds head.
William Bird seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gurgel throws a punch but it's blocked by Bird.
Bird softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gurgel takes a shot to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gurgel as Bird tries to tie him up.
A head punch on the inside from Gurgel fails to land.
Bird tries to land knees in the clinch but Gurgel avoids the damage to the body.
Gurgel swings wildly with an uppercut but Bird uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gurgel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bird misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gurgel.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bird obliges.
Gurgel misses with a body punch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gurgel's elbow.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gurgel works on Bird's body with a couple of short punches.
Bird with a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A body shot lands from Bird.
Gurgel struggles to land a body shot inside as Bird controls his hands.
Gurgel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gurgel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bird lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gurgel blocks a body shot from Bird.
Gurgel misses with some punches.
Bird works on Gurgel's body with a couple of short punches.
Gurgel lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gurgel misses with a body punch.
Gurgel throws a punch but it's blocked by Bird.
Bird has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bird can't find room to land a body shot as Gurgel controls the action.
Gurgel lands with a light punch inside.
Gurgel misses with a short punch on the inside.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gurgel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bird obliges.
Bird lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gurgel.
Bird pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bird scores with a kick to the body.
Bird lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Bird scores with a jab.
Gurgel misses with a low kick.
Bird was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Bird connects with a jab.
Bird scores with the left hand. Gurgel knows he should have avoided that one.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bird - that will leave a mark!
Gurgel tries a low kick but Bird avoids it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bird.
Gurgel walks into a stiff left hand from Bird.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bird keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird dodges the punch combination from Gurgel.
Bird scoring well with a low kick there.
William Bird seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jab, jab by Bird - just one landing.
Bird is looking to slow Gurgel down with leg kicks.
Bird throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gurgel takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gurgel misses with a right hand
and Bird counters with a leg kick.
Bird connects with a solid leg kick.
Gurgel dips to his left and cracks Bird with an uppercut!
A low kick from Gurgel misses
and Bird makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bird keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gurgel.
Bird throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gurgel misses with a wild combination.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bird lands with a hook. Gurgel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nice uppercut there from Bird.
Bird throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gurgel.
Gurgel seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Gurgel throws a low kick, looking for Bird's leg but Bird calmly moves out of range.
Gurgel looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bird stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gurgel.
Bird fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gurgel looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gurgel throws a leg kick
and Bird counters with a right hand to the body.
Gurgel thumps Bird with a low kick.
Gurgel lands with a kick to the temple. Bird shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Bird throws a push kick but Gurgel slaps the foot to one side.
Bird checks a low kick from Gurgel.
Gurgel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bird bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gurgel tries to score with a low kick but Bird moves his leg out of the way.
Bird uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gurgel.
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!
A good leg kick by Bird.
Bird lands the left hand.
A big right from Gurgel misses.
Bird lands a nice looking body kick.
Gurgel attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Gurgel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bird.
Bird scores with a kick to the midsection.
Gurgel throws a low kick, looking for Bird's leg but Bird calmly moves out of range.
Bird fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gurgel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bird throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gurgel misses with a low kick.
Gurgel wants to clinch
and Bird counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gurgel's knee momentarily.
Bird ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gurgel moves out of range of the body kick.
Gurgel throws a chopping leg kick but Bird manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bird fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gurgel manages to avoid it.
Gurgel connects with a solid leg kick.
Gurgel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bird counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gurgel's knee momentarily.
Gurgel throws a sloppy head kick
and Bird counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bird misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gurgel.
Bird scores with a leg kick.
Gurgel tries a low kick but Bird avoids it.
Bird misses with a low kick.
Bird throws a leg kick which misses Gurgel's front leg but catches the back leg as Gurgel tries to avoid it.
Bird keeps Gurgel at a distance using the push kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bird checks a leg kick.
Bird thumps Gurgel with a low kick.
Bird darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Bird jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bird misses with an uppercut. Gurgel saw that one coming.
Bird lands a slapping body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bird connects with a looping right hand.
Gurgel takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Bird is looking to slow Gurgel down with leg kicks.
Bird takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A good leg kick by Gurgel.
Bird throws the left hand but Gurgel avoids the punch easily.
Bird lands a leg kick that knocks Gurgel off balance momentarily.
A head kick misses from Gurgel.
Gurgel takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bird.
Bird connects with an inside leg kick.
Good leg kick by Bird there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Bird throws a front kick that sends Gurgel stumbling back into the cage.
Gurgel tries a low kick but Bird avoids it.
Gurgel fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bird uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gurgel.
Bird swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gurgel.
Bird connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Gurgel pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gurgel gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bird comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bird connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gurgel. Gurgel circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bird buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bird - that will leave a mark!
Bird avoids the head kick by Gurgel.
Gurgel fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gurgel tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
William Bird showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joaozinho Gurgel's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Bird finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bird avoids a kick to the body.
Gurgel throws a front kick aimed at Bird's knee but Bird avoids it well.
Bird scores with a jab to the body.
Gurgel slips a jab from Bird.
Nice shot by Gurgel.
A leg kick checked by Gurgel.
Bird wants to slow Gurgel down by chopping away at his legs.
Gurgel throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Bird throws a hook but Gurgel blocks it.
It appears Gurgel was looking to counter with a kick there.
Bird darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bird scores with a punch to the head.
Gurgel on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bird. Bird obviously looking to wear him down.
Bird moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gurgel moves to clinch but Bird breaks away
and Bird counters with a stiff right hand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gurgel moves in looking to clinch but Bird pushes him off.
Bird jabs Gurgel right on the nose. Gurgel blinks but takes it well.
Bird lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Gurgel tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bird manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gurgel's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Bird scores with a jab to the body.
Gurgel lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bird avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bird scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Gurgel throws a low kick, looking for Bird's leg but Bird calmly moves out of range.
Bird blocks a head kick by Gurgel.
Bird misses with a body kick.
Gurgel scores with a leg kick.
Gurgel takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gurgel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bird misses with a looping left.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gurgel takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
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!
Bird lands a right hook to the body.
Gurgel tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bird lands a nice shot to the body.
Jab, jab by Bird - just one landing.
Gurgel closes the distance and clinches.
Bird creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gurgel's defenses.
Bird is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bird is trying to break the clinch but Gurgel is controlling him.
Bird creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gurgel's defenses.
Gurgel has a couple of punches blocked by Bird.
Gurgel lands with a light punch inside.
Bird creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gurgel lands an uppercut.
Gurgel struggles to land a body shot inside as Bird controls his hands.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gurgel closes the distance and clinches.
Bird misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bird tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bird tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gurgel's elbow.
Bird lands a nice shot to the body.
Bird pushes off an throws an elbow but Gurgel leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Bird is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gurgel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nice body punch from Gurgel.
Gurgel blocks an uppercut.
Gurgel avoids a wild elbow strike from Bird.
Gurgel works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Bird is trying to break the clinch but Gurgel is controlling him.
Gurgel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bird lands a shoulder strike.
A short body shot lands from Gurgel as the two fighters clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird tries to stall but Gurgel uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gurgel lands with a light punch inside.
Bird working aggressively here.
A shot in the inside from Gurgel.
Gurgel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gurgel softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
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!
Gurgel misses with the head strike.
Gurgel lands with a light punch inside.
Gurgel misses with a punch to the body.
Bird lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bird tries to stall but Gurgel uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gurgel swings wildly with an uppercut but Bird uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gurgel swings wildly with an uppercut but Bird uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gurgel misses with a punch on the inside.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gurgel throws a head punch that misses.
Gurgel lands a left hand.
Gurgel prevents a body shot from Bird.
Gurgel breaks the clinch momentarily and cracks Bird with a big right hook that drops him to the canvas! Bird looks like he might be in big trouble here! The referee has started the count straight away and we're up to 5 already. Bird get to one knee - can he make it back to his feet? Yes, he's struggled back up to his feet and seems OK to continue. The referee agrees so we're back to the action!
Bird is rocked!
Bird displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gurgel throws out the jab.
Bird is still on wobbly legs! Can Gurgel finish him?
Gurgel shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Bird fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gurgel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Gurgel forces Bird back against the cage and clinches.
Gurgel scores with a hook to the body.
Gurgel throws a head punch that misses.
Bird seems to have recovered his senses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gurgel creates a bit of space for himself and unleashed what can only be described as a tiger uppercut, straight out of Street Fighter! Bird crashes to the mat! Can he make it back to his feet in time? 3,4,5,6... it doesn't look like he's going to make it! Bird face plants back to the mat and the referee calls off the fight! Gurgel takes it with a brutal technical knockout!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch). Joaozinho Gurgel!
Joaozinho Gurgel retains his super heavyweight title!
An out of breath Joaozinho Gurgel thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated William Bird had this to say: 'You proved you were the better fighter tonight.'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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
90% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
