|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zsiga Venczel (ranked 1535 p4p, 225 weight class) and Connor MacLeod (ranked 3875 p4p, 491 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.
 |
|
 |
| 192 cm
28
220 lbs
21 - 7 - 0 |
|
189 cm
29
212 lbs
9 - 11 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
|
Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
21 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zsiga Venczel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Connor MacLeod!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Robert Douchet and Trevor Gratis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Venczel throws a low kick but it's checked well by MacLeod.
Despite the aggression on MacLeod's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
A solid leg kick lands there for MacLeod.
Venczel gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A body shot lands from MacLeod.
Venczel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Venczel thows a left - swing and a miss!
MacLeod uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Venczel.
Venczel misses with a series of wild punches.
MacLeod only half commits to the counter leg kick.
MacLeod checks the leg kick nicely there.
Venczel connects with a single shot there.
MacLeod looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacLeod throws a series of punches but Venczel moves out of range.
MacLeod takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Zsiga Venczel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
MacLeod keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Venczel.
MacLeod walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
MacLeod takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Venczel misses with a wild body shot.
MacLeod stuns Venczel with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Venczel swings for the body but MacLeod moves out of range.
MacLeod cracks a nice hook into Venczel's ribs.
Venczel misses with a takedown
and MacLeod counters with a nice low kick that buckles Venczel's knee momentarily.
Venczel tests MacLeod's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Venczel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
MacLeod with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Jab, jab by Venczel - just one landing.
Venczel is looking to clinch.
Nice cross by MacLeod.
It looks like Zsiga Venczel has been cut.
MacLeod throws a leg kick but Venczel sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Venczel looks to score with a jab to the body but MacLeod is just out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacLeod looks to score with a jab to the body but Venczel is just out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
MacLeod lands a right hook to the body.
Venczel throws a body punch but MacLeod moves out of range.
MacLeod on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A looping hook to the body misses from Venczel. MacLeod does a little dance to reset his feet.
MacLeod checks the leg kick nicely there.
MacLeod lands an overhand right.
MacLeod swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Venczel misses the target.
Venczel tries to clinch up.
Venczel fails in his attempt to clinch.
MacLeod looks to land a combination but Venczel avoids it well.
Venczel misses with a combination
and MacLeod counters with a nice uppercut.
MacLeod throws a nice inside leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Venczel.
Venczel is looking to clinch.
Venczel lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nice sprawl there from MacLeod as Venczel shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zsiga Venczel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Venczel takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
It looks like Venczel has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
MacLeod checks a leg kick.
Venczel shoots in but no luck this time.
Venczel motions for MacLeod to come forward. Venczel throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from MacLeod! But no joy.
MacLeod misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
MacLeod ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A nice combination there by Venczel.
Nice body punch from MacLeod.
Venczel misses with a head kick.
Venczel misses with a jab, cross combination.
MacLeod appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big right from Venczel misses.
MacLeod tries to bum rush Venczel with a series of wild strikes but Venczel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Venczel throws a poor cross that misses
and MacLeod connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
MacLeod moves away from the strike by Venczel.
Venczel misses with the combination.
MacLeod fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Venczel wants to clinch
and MacLeod counters with a nice low kick that buckles Venczel's knee momentarily.
MacLeod circles away from the clinch attempt.
Venczel is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Venczel throws out a leg kick but MacLeod moves out of range and Venczel only half commits.
MacLeod wants to land a leg kick but Venczel is out of range.
Venczel tries to clinch but MacLeod is having none of it.
Venczel misses with a series of wild punches.
Venczel throws a low kick, looking for MacLeod's leg but MacLeod calmly moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Zsiga Venczel will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Zsiga Venczel's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Venczel throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting MacLeod counter with a right hand.
Venczel takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Venczel digs a good body shot into MacLeod's ribs.
MacLeod is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Venczel rather than just go for the knockout.
Venczel changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Venczel throws a poor cross that misses
and MacLeod makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
MacLeod checks a leg kick nicely.
Venczel moves into the clinch.
Venczel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
MacLeod avoiding damage.
Venczel stalls.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left hand lands to the body for MacLeod.
MacLeod scores with a shot to the side of Venczel's head.
Venczel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Venczel lands with a light punch inside.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Venczel misses with a knee strike.
Venczel swings wildly with an uppercut but MacLeod uses good head movement to avoid it.
Venczel missing with knees to the body.
Nice body punch from MacLeod.
MacLeod is trying to maintain a safe position but Venczel gets an underhook and turns MacLeod into the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Venczel's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from MacLeod.
MacLeod breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
MacLeod has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Venczel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Venczel with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling MacLeod to score with a decent uppercut.
Venczel moves into the clinch.
Venczel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
MacLeod avoiding damage.
MacLeod stalling.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Venczel lands a body punch in the clinch.
MacLeod letting Venczel take a breather here.
Venczel working aggressively here.
MacLeod blocks a body shot from Venczel.
MacLeod tries to work over Venczel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Venczel manages to break the clinch.
MacLeod looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Venczel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent MacLeod stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Venczel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Venczel looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
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!
MacLeod tries to keep at a distance but Venczel has taken the fight into the clinch.
MacLeod blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
MacLeod tries to break the clinch but Venczel is controlling the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Venczel throws a punch but it's blocked by MacLeod.
Venczel stalling against the cage.
Venczel stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Venczel tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and MacLeod avoids it.
Venczel throws a knee to the head but misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Venczel.
Venczel swings wildly with an uppercut but MacLeod uses good head movement to avoid it.
Venczel tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Venczel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Venczel being controlled against the cage.
Venczel has picked MacLeod up - he's going for a ride! Venczel dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Venczel stalling.
Venczel wants to control but MacLeod is keeping him busy.
MacLeod trying to control here.
Venczel is looking to advance position but MacLeod won't allow it.
Venczel trying to control the action but MacLeod is working from the bottom.
Venczel misses with a head shot. MacLeod uses the momentum to regain guard.
Venczel throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Zsiga Venczel dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Zsiga Venczel's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Venczel misses with a looping left.
Venczel tries to land a leg kick but MacLeod saw it coming and moves away.
MacLeod swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Venczel scores with a hook to the body. MacLeod takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Good work by MacLeod as he checks the leg kick.
MacLeod feints a counter leg kick.
Venczel has his takedown stuffed
and MacLeod counters with a left to the body.
MacLeod checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Venczel throws a leg kick
and MacLeod makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A jab from MacLeod does it's job there.
MacLeod dodges the punch combination from Venczel.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Venczel fails in his attempt to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from MacLeod! But no joy.
Connor MacLeod seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Venczel feints and then cracks MacLeod's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow MacLeod down.
Venczel throws a chopping leg kick but MacLeod manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Venczel misses with an uppercut. MacLeod saw that one coming.
Venczel throws a hook to the side of MacLeod's head but MacLeod sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Venczel has MacLeod up against the cage in a clinch.
MacLeod managing to block the knees to the body from Venczel.
Venczel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
MacLeod stalling in the clinch but Venczel improves position.
Venczel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by MacLeod.
Venczel connects with a knee to the head.
It looks like Connor MacLeod has been cut.
Venczel throws a head punch that misses.
MacLeod holding his opponent close, against the cage.
MacLeod wants to get back to striking at distance but Venczel won't allow it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacLeod wants to stall.
A head punch on the inside from Venczel fails to land.
MacLeod breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Venczel digs a good body shot into MacLeod's ribs.
A nice inside leg kick there by Venczel. That's going to slow MacLeod down.
Venczel takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
MacLeod ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Venczel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by MacLeod.
Venczel takes a shot to the body in his stride.
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!
Venczel on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Venczel misses the target.
Venczel throws an ugly left hook that misses
and MacLeod counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
MacLeod waves his right hand out in front of him, looking to distract Venczel. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Venczel to the canvas! Can he finish him!?
Connor MacLeod has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Venczel is rocked!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Venczel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Oh Venczel is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
MacLeod wants to control from the top but Venczel keeps moving.
Venczel seems to have got his legs back now.
MacLeod tries to free his leg and advance position but Venczel is retaining full guard.
Venczel keeping moving, preventing MacLeod from controlling successfully.
MacLeod working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Venczel's head.
Venczel looking to control.
MacLeod pushing down on Venczel's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
MacLeod seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Venczel does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
MacLeod not doing much here.
Zsiga Venczel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Venczel trying to control here.
MacLeod wants to take a breather but Venczel is having none of it.
Venczel trying to control but MacLeod postures up.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Venczel throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck MacLeod on the side of the head.
MacLeod circles away from the clinch attempt.
MacLeod throws a body shot but no joy.
And that's the end of the fight!
Connor MacLeod comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Venczel has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Zsiga Venczel!
Zsiga Venczel took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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
54% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
