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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kobe Bryant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darwin Strapp (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.
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| 192 cm
28
187 lbs
11 - 2 - 0 |
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181 cm
33
191 lbs
14 - 7 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kobe Bryant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Darwin Strapp!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Bryant does it's job there.
It looks like Darwin Strapp has been cut.
Strapp misses with a wild body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bryant looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Strapp throws a hook but Bryant avoids it easily.
Strapp has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bryant blocks an uppercut.
Strapp misses with the head strike.
Strapp stalling in the clinch but Bryant improves position.
Bryant swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Strapp throws a head punch that misses.
Bryant pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bryant fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Strapp avoids it really well and circles away.
Kobe Bryant seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strapp gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryant throws a combination that misses
and Strapp moves into the clinch.
Strapp swings wildly with an uppercut but Bryant uses good head movement to avoid it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Bryant lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Strapp lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bryant backwards.
Bryant tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Strapp's elbow.
Bryant can't find room to land a body shot as Strapp controls the action.
Bryant looking to stall.
Bryant has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Strapp misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bryant looking to slow down the pace here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Bryant as Strapp tries to tie him up.
Nice body punch from Strapp - that landed with a thud.
Strapp blocking some punches.
Strapp swings wildly with an uppercut but Bryant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bryant lands with a short shot to the head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strapp prevents a body shot from Bryant.
Still in the clinch, Bryant scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bryant is trying to push Strapp away but Strapp has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Strapp working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bryant dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Strapp misses with the head strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Strapp.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bryant tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Strapp's elbow.
Strapp lands a right hand.
Bryant doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Strapp working aggressively here.
Bryant's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Strapp closes the distance and clinches.
Bryant throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Bryant lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Strapp.
Bryant misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bryant is leaning against Strapp and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryant lands a body punch.
A short uppercut from Bryant.
Bryant lands with a right to the head.
Strapp misses with a punch on the inside.
Strapp misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short uppercut from Strapp.
Bryant lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bryant.
Strapp lands with a short shot to the head.
Bryant lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Bryant manages to break the clinch.
Bryant defending well as Strapp loads up on a big left hand.
Bryant shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Strapp eats them both and turns towards Bryant to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Strapp closes the distance and clinches.
Bryant doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Strapp blocks a body shot from Bryant.
Bryant pressing his opponent against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strapp lands a body punch in the clinch.
Strapp misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bryant manages to break the clinch.
Bryant throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Strapp moves into range and clinches up with Bryant.
Bryant avoiding damage.
Bryant wants to stall.
Strapp lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bryant scores with a shoulder strike.
Bryant pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Strapp moves out of range of the strikes.
Strapp has managed to clinch.
Bryant's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Strapp lands with a light punch inside.
Bryant has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Darwin Strapp will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Darwin Strapp's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Bryant checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Strapp fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bryant, pushing him back against the cage.
Strapp lands with a right to the head.
Bryant stalling in the clinch but Strapp improves position.
Strapp slowing the pace effectively.
Bryant lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Strapp backwards.
Bryant lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Strapp or not.
Bryant escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bryant looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Strapp moves away from the strike by Bryant.
Strapp ducks under a wild hook from Bryant.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bryant scores with a crisp jab that stopped Strapp in his tracks.
Bryant throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Strapp rushes Bryant and presses him up against the cage.
Strapp works on Bryant's body with a couple of short punches.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryant doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stalling in the clinch from Bryant.
Strapp lands a hook to the side of the head.
Strapp blocking some punches.
Bryant has had enough of the clinch but Strapp keeps him there for the moment.
Strapp blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Strapp swings wildly with an uppercut but Bryant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bryant blocking some punches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Bryant as Strapp tries to tie him up.
Strapp doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bryant working aggressively here.
Bryant working aggressively here.
Strapp lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bryant backwards.
Strapp lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bryant backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bryant.
Bryant lands with a light punch inside.
Strapp blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short uppercut from Strapp.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bryant lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bryant scores with a nice hook to the head.
Strapp tries a body shot but Bryant blocks it.
Strapp misses with a short punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Strapp.
Bryant blocking some punches.
Strapp lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Strapp tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bryant presses Strapp against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bryant.
Bryant works on Strapp's body with a couple of short punches.
Bryant's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bryant walks into a left hand.
Strapp walks into a straight right hand from Bryant.
Strapp fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bryant, pushing him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bryant.
Strapp has a couple of punches blocked by Bryant.
Bryant tries a body shot but Strapp blocks it.
Strapp throws a head punch that misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryant throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Bryant lands a right hand.
Bryant blocks an uppercut.
Bryant slowing the pace effectively.
Bryant is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Strapp presses Bryant against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Bryant misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Strapp doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Strapp tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bryant lands a nice uppercut.
Strapp has a couple of punches blocked by Bryant.
Strapp misses with the head strike.
Bryant gets through Strapp's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Strapp misses with a punch on the inside.
Bryant holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Strapp fails to land.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryant is looking to control Strapp's arms but Strapp gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bryant has his back to the cage.
Darwin Strapp seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Strapp working aggressively here.
Strapp has a couple of punches blocked by Bryant.
Bryant tries to stall but Strapp uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Strapp lands a nice uppercut.
Strapp lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bryant stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Strapp lands a hook to the side of the head.
Strapp struggles to land a body shot inside as Bryant controls his hands.
Strapp fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Strapp swings wildly with an uppercut but Bryant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bryant misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bryant misses with a hook from the clinch.
Strapp leaning his opponent against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Strapp.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Darwin Strapp will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Darwin Strapp's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Strapp fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bryant on the side of the head.
Bryant thuds his shin into the meat of Strapp's side.
Bryant connects with a body shot that sends Strapp's belly button to the back.
Strapp throws a nice looking combination but Bryant bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bryant throws a lazy right hand but Strapp sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Strapp appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Strapp throws a lazy uppercut
and Bryant cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bryant jabs at Strapp's body.
Strapp takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Danga de danga de dang - Bryant scores with a four punch combination!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bryant throws a hook but Strapp blocks it.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Strapp throws a head punch that misses.
Bryant escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Strapp clinches.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Strapp blocks a body shot from Bryant.
Bryant tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Strapp.
Strapp throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Strapp.
Strapp scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bryant has a couple of punches blocked by Strapp.
A left hand lands to the body for Bryant.
Strapp takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bryant misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bryant tries to work over Strapp's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bryant tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bryant lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Strapp backwards.
A hook to the body from Bryant.
Bryant is trying to break the clinch but Strapp has him pressed against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Strapp.
Bryant's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Bryant lands a left hand.
Kobe Bryant has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strapp stalling in the clinch but Bryant improves position.
Bryant breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Strapp's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bryant connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Strapp scrambles back to his feet.
Strapp blocks a low kick nicely.
Bryant cracks Strapp with a good jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Strapp displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bryant throws out the jab.
A countering left hand to the body from Strapp misses.
Strapp closes the distance and pushes Bryant back into the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Strapp.
Bryant lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bryant.
Bryant blocking some punches.
A right hand to the body from Bryant.
Strapp works on Bryant's body with a couple of short punches.
Strapp lands with a right to the head.
Strapp tries to stall but Bryant uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strapp working aggressively here.
Strapp misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bryant throws a punch but it's blocked by Strapp.
Bryant misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bryant breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bryant swings widly with a right hand
and Strapp counters with a straight right hand.
Bryant is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Bryant misses with a hook.
A big left from Bryant misses.
A jab from Strapp does it's job there.
Kobe Bryant is winning the standup battle so far.
Bryant scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bryant throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Strapp counters with an outside leg kick.
Bryant misses with a hook. Strapp ducked under it nicely.
Bryant throws a body punch but Strapp moves out of range.
Bryant tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strapp was well out of range. Poor timing from Bryant.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Strapp.
Strapp fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bryant, pushing him back against the cage.
Strapp misses with the head strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Strapp fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bryant stalling in the clinch.
Bryant goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Strapp.
Strapp misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bryant lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bryant presses Strapp against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Bryant dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Bryant is looking to control Strapp's arms but Strapp gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bryant has his back to the cage.
Bryant lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Strapp backwards.
Bryant tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Strapp misses with some punches.
Bryant misses with a body punch.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kobe Bryant showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Strapp 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Darwin Strapp!
Darwin Strapp was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
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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
67% |
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