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Arco Contenders PBP Commentary |
Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Banlovic Bantom (ranked 7046 p4p, 448 weight class) and Alkji Azhii (ranked 6845 p4p, 440 weight class). Banlovic Bantom is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.
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| 190 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0 |
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199 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Banlovic Bantom!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alkji Azhii!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bantom displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Azhii.
Bantom feinted with a counter takedown.
Bantom throws the kick towards the body but Azhii avoids it.
Bantom darts in and clinches Azhii up against the cage.
Azhii is trying to break the clinch but Bantom is controlling him.
Bantom has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Azhii is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Bantom jumps guard.
Azhii must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Azhii is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Bantom escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Azhii gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bantom is pulling down on Azhii's head. It's preventing any offense from Azhii, at least for the moment.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bantom keeping full guard, as Azhii tries to pass.
Bantom manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Azhii manages to get himself to full guard.
Bantom trying to control the position from guard on top but Azhii is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bantom really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bantom's corner is telling him to maintain position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Azhii keeping moving, preventing Bantom from controlling successfully.
Bantom being controlled here momentarily.
Bantom trying to control but Azhii is working from the bottom.
Bantom sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Azhii's guard.
Bantom is trying to control the action in half guard but Azhii is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Azhii is trying to stand up here but Bantom is controlling him well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bantom prevents Azhii from improving his position.
Azhii tries to kick Bantom off but Bantom keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Bantom wants to control but Azhii is keeping him busy.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bantom shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Azhii pinned against the cage. Azhii gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nice takedown defense from Bantom. No joy for Azhii on that attempt.
Bantom tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Azhii gets a clinch.
Bantom is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Banlovic Bantom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bantom breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bantom looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bantom is breathing heavily.
Bantom looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Azhii is looking for a sweep. Bantom is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Azhii is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bantom's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bantom's back!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Azhii keeps control of the position as Bantom tries to break free.
Azhii really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bantom. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
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!
Bantom is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Banlovic Bantom dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Azhii misses with a head kick.
Bantom misses with a wild combination.
Azhii gets caught flat footed, as Bantom shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Azhii keeping moving, preventing Bantom from controlling successfully.
Azhii is trying to control the position but Bantom postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bantom preventing the sweep.
Azhii keeping moving, preventing Bantom from controlling successfully.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bantom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Azhii swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Azhii is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Azhii fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bantom wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Azhii is breathing heavily.
Bantom will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Azhii shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bantom but Bantom pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bantom tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
That's two 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.
Azhii clinches.
The referee is keeping an eye on Azhii - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Azhii wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bantom has him pressed against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Bantom.
Bantom is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Azhii can do to turn this around?
Bantom breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Azhii closes the distance and clinches.
Bantom drags the fight down to the ground.
Bantom wants to stand up but Azhii is controlling him.
Azhii postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bantom lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Bantom pushing down on Azhii's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Bantom with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bantom wants to take a breather but Azhii is having none of it.
Azhii preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Azhii is not content to let Bantom control the position.
Bantom trying to mount his opponent but Azhii defends it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Azhii is trying to stand back up but Bantom is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Banlovic Bantom dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Azhii tries to close the distance and clinch but Bantom swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Banlovic Bantom is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Azhii tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bantom swivels and escapes.
Azhii stalks Bantom and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bantom's face. Bantom staggers backwards, shaken.
Azhii gets caught napping as Bantom dives in and scores a takedown. Azhii manages to retain guard.
Azhii looking to control.
Bantom pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Azhii is keeping the position for now.
Banlovic Bantom overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bantom wants to control from the top but Azhii keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bantom throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Azhii can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Bantom controls the pace.
Azhii takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bantom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Azhii swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Azhii throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bantom tries to keep at a distance but Azhii has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bantom has Azhii pressed against the cage, preventing Azhii from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bantom jumps guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bantom is on top in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bantom throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhii keeping moving, preventing Bantom from controlling successfully.
Azhii looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bantom is one step ahead there.
Azhii working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bantom.
Bantom throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Azhii works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bantom is pushing down on Azhii's leg trying to pass to half guard. Azhii is fighting to maintain full guard but Bantom has managed to sneak the leg through.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhii kicks Bantom off and gets back to his feet.
Azhii tries to land a front kick but Bantom steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bantom shoots in but Azhii avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Azhii shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Azhii showed some decent athleticism there.
Bantom is looking to escape.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azhii stalling away here and it's allowed Bantom to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Bantom has his foot on Azhii's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Azhii works his way back into a safe position though.
Bantom is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Azhii is looking to work some ground and pound but Bantom has wrist control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bantom is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bantom keeping full guard, as Azhii tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Banlovic Bantom did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
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.
Azhii shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Azhii wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bantom keeps working.
Bantom flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bantom keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Azhii trying to control the pace.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bantom trying to control from the bottom.
Bantom looking for submissions off his back.
Bantom is pressing down on Azhii's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Bantom trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
That's two 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.
Azhii wants to control from the top but Bantom keeps moving.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bantom throws a combination that misses
and Azhii counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Azhii with a poor takedown
and Azhii takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Azhii instigates a clinch.
Azhii tries to pull guard but Bantom holds him up against the cage and eventually Azhii drops back down to his feet.
Azhii prevents a body shot from Bantom.
Azhii drags the fight down to the ground.
Bantom got a little sloppy there for a moment and Azhii has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bantom has managed to get both his arms back between Azhii's legs - danger averted.
Azhii can't keep his opponent in guard - Bantom advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bantom scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Bantom wants to lay and pray for a moment but Azhii keeps working.
Bantom slows the pace down in half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Bantom throwing shots but Azhii is blocking nicely.
Bantom seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Bantom is looking for a kimura but Azhii is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bantom to get the leverage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bantom is trying to control. Azhii wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Alkji Azhii will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Bantom's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!
Bantom goes for a double leg but Azhii avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Azhii continues to drive forward.
Azhii tries to clinch up but Bantom circles away and keeps his distance.
Bantom tries for a takedown but Azhii sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bantom doesn't manage to clinch there - Azhii circles away.
Azhii is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
The fight stays on the outside here - Azhii looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Azhii throws a half hearted mid kick.
A punch combination from Bantom misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azhii moves into range and clinches up with Bantom.
Azhii leaning his opponent against the cage.
Azhii looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bantom looking to stall.
Azhii wants the takedown. Bantom is fighting it off but Azhii persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Bantom's guard against the cage.
Bantom is trying to keep Azhii in close.
Bantom keeping moving, preventing Azhii from controlling successfully.
Bantom trying to keep a closed guard but Azhii is proving a slippery customer.
Azhii tries to stand but Bantom is controlling from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bantom throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Azhii tries to free his leg and advance position but Bantom is retaining full guard.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Azhii misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bantom tries to counter with a takedown but Azhii is quick to defend against it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bantom closes the distance and pushes Azhii back into the cage.
Azhii stalling in the clinch but Bantom improves position.
Azhii trying to control the position but instead, Bantom has worked for underhooks and has pushed Azhii into the cage.
Azhii is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Bantom has denied him.
A bit of stalling here from Bantom.
Bantom escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Azhii enables Bantom to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Azhii manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Azhii 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.
Bantom makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azhii can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Bantom controls the pace.
Bantom advances to half guard.
Azhii tries to roll over but Bantom keeps him under control.
Bantom lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bantom sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Azhii defending well though.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Banlovic Bantom.
I think Bantom 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 49:46
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 50:46
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 50:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Banlovic Bantom!
Banlovic Bantom retains his featherweight title!
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C
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G |
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B |
G |
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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
27% |
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Co-main event
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Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Calco Burnell (ranked 7523 p4p, 279 weight class) and Zuillnic Canto (ranked 6814 p4p, 262 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.
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| 167 cm
18
144 lbs
0 - 0 - 0 |
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190 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Calco Burnell!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zuillnic Canto!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Robert Twigg and Alan Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Burnell wants to stall.
Burnell is looking to break free of the clinch but Canto has double underhooks.
Canto gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Burnell wants to stand back up but Canto manages to pass into side control.
Canto controlling the position from side mount.
Burnell tries to get back to half guard but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lull in the action here as Canto stalls from top position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Canto landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Burnell tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Canto wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Burnell seems a little lost for a moment, as Canto dominates the positioning.
It looks like Canto might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Canto is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Canto is working to tighten his grip on Burnell's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Burnell has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Canto is really squeezing tight and eventually Burnell passes out! Canto breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Zuillnic Canto!
Zuillnic Canto is the new bantamweight champion!
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C
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G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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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
40% |
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Main event
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Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Winkle (ranked 7295 p4p, 667 weight class) and Van Harvey (ranked 1671 p4p, 219 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!
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| 184 cm
24
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 0 |
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181 cm
27
179 lbs
16 - 10 - 0 |
Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Winkle!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Van Harvey!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Frank Dennis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harvey closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Harvey scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Harvey gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Winkle is refusing to be controlled, as Harvey sits in half guard.
Still in half guard, Harvey seems content to control.
Winkle is trying to control but can't.
Harvey is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Winkle is just riding it out for now. Harvey eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Winkle is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harvey is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Winkle has managed to free his arm - good work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Harvey is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Winkle is just riding it out for now. Harvey eventually gives up the hold.
Harvey is looking to take a break and control but Winkle is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Winkle wants to control but Harvey is keeping busy.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Harvey looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Harvey is thwarting Winkle's attempts to control the position.
Harvey is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Winkle!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Winkle is mounted and he's throwing punches. Is that wise?
Harvey content just to control the position here.
Harvey looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harvey with a couple of short strikes.
Harvey is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Winkle is forced to tap! Great finish!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Van Harvey!
Van Harvey is the new welterweight champion!
Van Harvey decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.
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| S |
C
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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
25% |
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