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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Araujo (ranked 1000 p4p, 125 weight class) and Naiki Nekele (ranked 1400 p4p, 182 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 193 cm
26
285 lbs
14 - 11 - 0 |
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210 cm
27
275 lbs
19 - 12 - 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 heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Araujo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Naiki Nekele!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Araujo closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nekele quickly recovers to half guard.
Araujo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nekele doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Araujo.
Araujo seems to be looking for submissions.
Nekele is staying active underneath Araujo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nekele won't allow Araujo to pass to mount.
Araujo is looking for a kimura here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nekele moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Araujo lands a couple of digs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nekele wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Araujo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Nekele looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Nekele looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Nekele!
Araujo tries to improve position but can't.
Araujo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nekele's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Araujo flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nekele wants to lay and pray for a moment but Araujo keeps working.
Araujo gets back to full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nekele not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Araujo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Araujo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nekele can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Araujo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nekele doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nekele manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've been hearing good reports from Araujo's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Araujo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nekele doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nekele manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Araujo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nekele sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nekele avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Araujo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nekele defends well.
Nekele controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nekele trying to control the position from guard on top but Araujo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Araujo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nekele really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Araujo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Araujo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Araujo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nekele controls the pace.
Araujo has his foot on Nekele's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nekele works his way back into a safe position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Araujo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Nekele slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Thiago Araujo dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Araujo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Araujo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Araujo tries for a kimura but Nekele is defending well.
Araujo tries to move to mount but Nekele blocks the move with his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Araujo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nekele, who protects the arm well.
The ground and pound from Araujo seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
That's one minute gone in the round.
I wouldn't like to be where Nekele is right now.
Araujo tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Araujo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nekele knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Araujo tries to advance to mount but can't.
Araujo is working hard here to advance position.
That's two 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.
Nekele takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Nekele struggling a bit here.
Nekele felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Araujo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Araujo goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Nekele has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Araujo but great work by Nekele.
Araujo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nekele wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Thiago Araujo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Araujo is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Araujo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Araujo trying to control from the bottom.
Araujo tries to roll over but Nekele keeps him under control.
Araujo is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Nekele jumps into side control!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nekele wants to control but Araujo is keeping him busy.
Araujo gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Nekele perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Araujo tries to roll over but Nekele keeps him under control.
Araujo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Araujo actively working from the bottom here.
Nekele controlling the pace.
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.
Araujo wants to control but Nekele is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Araujo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nekele moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Araujo.
Nekele is looking to take a break and control but Araujo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Araujo struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Araujo manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Thiago Araujo dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
A big right from Nekele misses.
A slow jab from Nekele misses its intended target.
Nekele fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Araujo on the side of the head.
Araujo fails with the takedown.
Araujo shoots in but Nekele avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nekele gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Araujo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nekele swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Araujo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Araujo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nekele working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Araujo.
Araujo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nekele is keeping the position for now.
Araujo is looking to advance position but Nekele has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Araujo is looking to get to half guard.
Araujo tries to hold on but Nekele pushes him away.
Araujo bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Nekele keeping moving, preventing Araujo from controlling successfully.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo pushes down on Nekele's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Araujo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nekele sees it coming and defends easily.
Araujo moves into full mount! Nekele won't be happy about that!
Araujo throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Nekele because Araujo loaded up on that one.
Araujo goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Nekele is on top in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Araujo working a defensive guard here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nekele is aware though and is defending well.
Nekele sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Araujo working a defensive guard here.
Nekele looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Araujo is looking for a triangle but Nekele pushes his legs off easily.
Araujo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nekele doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nekele manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Araujo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nekele defends well.
Araujo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nekele doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nekele manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nekele looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Araujo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Araujo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Araujo!
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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
26% |
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