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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gideon Navarro (ranked 971 p4p, 118 weight class) and Steve Butabi (ranked 800 p4p, 101 weight class). Butabi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Make That Money. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 181 cm
22
182 lbs
9 - 3 - 0 |
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180 cm
20
180 lbs
14 - 3 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gideon Navarro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Steve Butabi!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Steve Erwin and Ben Watson.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Butabi looks for a takedown but Navarro sprawls well.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Butabi has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Navarro lands with a good body shot.
Butabi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Navarro quickly recovers to half guard.
Navarro looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Butabi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Navarro is looking for a sweep. Butabi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Butabi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Butabi prevents Navarro from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butabi throwing shots but Navarro is blocking nicely.
The fighters are battling for position here. Navarro manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Butabi trying to control the position from guard on top but Navarro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Butabi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Navarro is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Butabi is aware though and is defending well.
Navarro looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Navarro looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Navarro keeping full guard, as Butabi tries to pass.
Navarro working for a triangle but Butabi defends it easily.
Butabi landing with the ground and pound.
Navarro has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Butabi is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Navarro.
Butabi working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Navarro is looking for a sweep.
Navarro manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Navarro's coaches at Big Bear Fight Factory have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Butabi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Navarro looking for submissions off his back.
Butabi with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Navarro is trying to stand.
Navarro actively working from the bottom here.
Navarro looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Butabi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butabi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Navarro is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Butabi pulls his head out easily.
Butabi is keen to just control but Navarro is a slippery customer.
Butabi scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Butabi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Navarro's head.
Butabi is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Navarro looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Butabi trying to control from Navarro's half guard. Navarro has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Navarro keeping moving, preventing Butabi from controlling successfully.
Navarro utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Navarro utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Butabi trying to control the position from guard on top but Navarro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Navarro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Navarro keeping moving, preventing Butabi from controlling successfully.
Navarro working for a triangle but Butabi defends it easily.
Butabi slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Navarro looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Steve Butabi will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Navarro will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A looping hook to the body misses from Navarro. Butabi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Butabi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Navarro.
Navarro on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Navarro throws a head kick that half lands.
A big left from Butabi misses.
Butabi throws a hook but Navarro avoids it easily.
Butabi misses with an uppercut. Navarro saw that one coming.
Navarro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Butabi.
Navarro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Butabi misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butabi blocks a head kick by Navarro.
Navarro checks a leg kick.
Navarro ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Navarro tries a head kick but it misses.
Butabi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Navarro pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Butabi loads up on a big right hand but Navarro slips the punch.
Navarro connects with a looping right hand.
Gideon Navarro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Butabi misses with a wild body shot.
Butabi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Butabi steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Navarro. That one must have hurt.
Navarro throws a sloppy head kick
enabling Butabi to counter with a crisp jab.
Nice body punch from Butabi.
A low kick from Butabi misses
and Navarro counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Butabi is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Butabi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Butabi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Navarro looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Navarro trying to control from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Navarro is not content to let Butabi control the position.
Navarro regains full guard. Nicely done.
Butabi trying to control but Navarro is working from the bottom.
Navarro working for a triangle but Butabi defends it easily.
Butabi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Navarro has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Butabi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Butabi trying to control but Navarro is working from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butabi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Navarro haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Navarro is trying to keep Butabi in close.
Butabi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Butabi trying to control but Navarro is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Butabi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Steve Butabi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Navarro escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Butabi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Navarro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Navarro keeping moving, preventing Butabi from controlling successfully.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Navarro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Navarro is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Butabi defends well.
Butabi throwing strikes but missing.
Butabi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Butabi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Butabi works over Navarro with some ground and pound from guard.
Butabi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Butabi pushes down on Navarro's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Butabi wants to take a breather but Navarro is having none of it.
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 Gideon Navarro will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Butabi.
Gideon Navarro is winning the standup battle so far.
Navarro lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Navarro lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Butabi, as that shot connected.
Navarro thuds a left hand into Butabi's body.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Butabi crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Navarro - the referee stops the clock and Butabi gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Navarro. Butabi manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Navarro lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Butabi tries a low kick but Navarro avoids it.
A quick step to the side and Navarro tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Navarro gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Navarro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Butabi defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Butabi drops back, looking for a kneebar! Navarro looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Navarro looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Navarro!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Butabi tries to improve position but can't.
Navarro decides to stand back up. Navarro steps back and let's Butabi get back to his feet.
Navarro scores with a crisp jab that stopped Butabi in his tracks.
Butabi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
It looked like Navarro was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Butabi dips to his left and cracks Navarro with an uppercut!
Nice shot lands for Navarro.
Navarro misses with a straight left.
Butabi let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Navarro throws a head kick that half lands.
Navarro throws the left hand but Butabi avoids the punch easily.
Butabi tries to score with a low kick but Navarro moves his leg out of the way.
Butabi throws the left hand but Navarro avoids the punch easily.
Butabi misses with a looping right.
Navarro throws a head kick but Butabi moves out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Navarro moves into range and connects with a jab.
Navarro sizes up Butabi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Butabi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Butabi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Butabi throws a leg kick but Navarro moved away.
Butabi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice defenses there by Butabi.
Gideon Navarro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Navarro ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Navarro scores with a nice right hand.
Nice defenses there by Butabi.
Butabi misses with a hook
and Navarro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Navarro tries to bum rush Butabi with a series of wild strikes but Butabi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Navarro thows a left - swing and a miss!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Navarro crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Butabi - the referee stops the clock and Navarro gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Butabi. Navarro manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Butabi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Navarro defends well and Butabi ends up having to push Navarro into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Navarro misses with an uppercut
and Butabi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butabi cracks Navarro with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Butabi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Navarro cracks Butabi with an open hand slap.
Navarro throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A combination from Navarro does no damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Navarro misses with a straight left.
Navarro misses with the combination.
Navarro swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Butabi throws a shot from downtown. Navarro moves away and avoids it.
Butabi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Navarro.
Navarro is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Butabi can do to turn this around?
Navarro throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Butabi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Navarro throws a big shot that misses.
Butabi fails with a takedown attempt.
Gideon Navarro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Butabi.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butabi throws the left hand but Navarro avoids the punch easily.
A head kick misses from Navarro.
Navarro leaves Butabi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Navarro cracks Butabi with an open hand slap.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Butabi blocks a head kick by Navarro.
Butabi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Navarro was well out of range. Poor timing from Butabi.
Butabi throws a nice looking combination but Navarro bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A nice leg kick lands there from Butabi.
Navarro keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Butabi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Navarro lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Navarro scores with a jab to the head.
And that's the end of the fight!
Gideon Navarro showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Navarro 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 Darius Henderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gideon Navarro!
During a confident post fight interview, Gideon Navarro thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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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
48% |
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