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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Edmond Honda (ranked 1853 p4p, 66 weight class) and Gorgon Zola (ranked 2317 p4p, 85 weight class). Honda kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is E. Honda Stage Theme Extended. Zola has chosen For Heavy Metal we will die! as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Gorgon Zola was going to win. Let's see if he was right.
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| 186 cm
31
265 lbs
19 - 15 - 0 |
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193 cm
35
267 lbs
11 - 10 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
19 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Edmond Honda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gorgon Zola!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Alan Glass and Robert Twigg.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Honda has a takedown stuffed.
Zola with the counter takedown but Honda avoids it easily.
Zola throws a nice outside leg kick.
Honda throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zola's waist but Zola gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Honda off to one side.
Honda tries to sprawl but Zola drives through with a takedown into half guard.
My spies in Team Beta Fail inform me that Zola has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Zola wants to pass the guard but Honda is defending well.
Honda trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zola is trying to control. Honda wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Honda is looking for a sweep. Zola is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Honda has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zola is working away from the top position though.
Honda looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Honda looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zola 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.
Honda looking for submissions off his back.
Zola trying to control the pace.
Honda wants to improve his position but Zola is controlling well.
That's two 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.
Zola moves nicely into side control.
Zola throws a strike aimed at the side of Honda's head but Honda avoids it well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Zola controls the position.
Honda tries to buck Zola off but Zola is having none of it.
Honda is working hard here to advance position.
You can see the frustration on Honda's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Honda has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Honda is working to avoid the ground and pound but Zola connects with a decent elbow.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Honda tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zola wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Zola is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Honda is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Zola misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Zola throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Honda manages to work his way to half guard, despite Zola's best efforts.
Honda looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Honda is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zola pulls his head out easily.
Zola wants to lay and pray for a moment but Honda keeps working.
Zola controlling the pace.
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.
Honda trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Honda regains half guard.
Honda looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zola passes the guard and advances to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gorgon Zola dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Zola forces Honda back against the cage and clinches.
Zola fails to pull guard.
Honda working aggressively here.
Honda wants a takedown but no success here.
Zola manages to break the clinch.
Honda changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zola tries to avoid it but Honda manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zola to the ground. Zola escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Honda leaves Zola with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Honda bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Zola sneaks out the side door and pushes Honda away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Edmond Honda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Honda looks to throw the jab but Zola is out of range.
Honda looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zola moves out of range as Honda throws a body kick.
Honda fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Zola sprawls well initially but Honda persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Zola manages to get to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zola controls Honda momentarily but Honda frees himself.
Zola keeping moving, preventing Honda from controlling successfully.
Honda throws a big right hand that misses.
Zola has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Honda has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Honda wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Honda has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Zola avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edmond Honda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zola blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zola has Honda pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Honda manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Honda misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zola has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zola ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Zola no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Zola utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Honda is in close to Zola's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zola looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Zola is trying to keep Honda in close.
Zola managing to control the position.
Honda throws a big elbow that misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Honda scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zola is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zola preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Honda scoring with punches to the head and body.
Honda with a nice head shot there.
Zola working for submissions but it's allowed Honda to get to half guard.
Nice strikes from Honda there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Honda lands a nice short elbow.
Honda looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Honda slips a nice elbow through Zola's hands, connecting with Zola's forehead.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Honda missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zola keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Honda lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Honda working Zola over with strikes.
Honda thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Honda is nestled in close to Zola, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Honda thows a huge punch but Zola dodges it nicely.
Honda looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Zola with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Honda winds up and cracks Zola with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Honda takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Honda seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Zola is trying to maintain the position but Honda is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Edmond Honda dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Zola fails with an attempt to clinch.
Honda appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Honda darts in looking for a takedown but Zola gets double underhooks and turns Honda into the cage.
Zola is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Honda shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zola defends it nicely.
Zola throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Honda's waist but Honda gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zola off to one side.
Zola closes this distance looking for a takedown but Honda circles away.
Zola clinches up against the cage.
Honda is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Zola is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edmond Honda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Honda tries to score a body lock takedown but Zola shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zola successfully pulls guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zola working a defensive guard here.
Honda trying to control but Zola is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Honda working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Honda trying to control but Zola is working from the bottom.
Honda has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Honda postures up in Zola's guard and throws a big left but Zola blocks it.
Honda throws a big elbow that misses.
Zola looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Zola preventing the ground and pound from 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.
Honda postures up.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zola tries to close the distance and clinch up but Honda swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Honda scores with a punch to the head.
Honda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zola manages to avoid it.
Zola tries to clinch there but Honda circles away.
Zola tries to clinch but Honda is having none of it.
Honda throws a head kick that misses.
Honda throws the kick towards the body but Zola avoids it.
Honda throws a head kick that half lands.
Zola dives in for a single leg takedown but Honda sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Zola defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Honda.
Zola drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Honda defends it well.
Zola takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Honda.
Zola sneaks out the side door and pushes Honda away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola lands a lovely overhand right.
Zola checks the leg kick nicely there.
Honda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Honda.
Zola fails with a takedown attempt.
That kick from Honda tenderised Zola's leg. Zola is trying to keep his angry face on.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Honda.
Honda just misses with a punch to the body.
Zola rushes Honda and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Honda can't break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Honda fails to land.
Zola is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Honda to keep the fight standing.
Zola jumps into guard, dragging Honda to the mat.
Zola is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Honda throws a big right hand that misses.
Gorgon Zola has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zola working for a triangle but Honda defends it easily.
Zola utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
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 Edmond Honda.
I think Honda 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Edmond Honda!
In his post fight interview, Edmond Honda started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
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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
41% |
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