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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Garbis Topalian (ranked 2559 p4p, 2341 weight class) and Papa John (ranked 372 p4p, 338 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 175 cm
19
170
2 - 0 - 0 |
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177 cm
25
180
3 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine |
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BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed |
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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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Garbis Topalian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Papa John!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Russell Pearce and Bruno Lombardi.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
John throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
John looks to throw the jab but Topalian is out of range.
Topalian throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
John misses with a hook.
John throws a looping overhand right but Topalian ducks down to avoid it.
Topalian was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Topalian walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
John looks to land a right hand but Topalian moved out of range.
Topalian punishes John's body with a nice straight punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
John fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Topalian manages to avoid it.
Topalian takes one on the button.
John looks to land a right hand but Topalian moved out of range.
Topalian drives through and clinches with John against the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Topalian fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Topalian stalling in the clinch.
Topalian misses with some punches.
The referee calls for John to work.
A head punch on the inside from Topalian fails to land.
John lands with a light punch inside.
We've been hearing reports that Topalian has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Topalian throws a head punch that misses.
Topalian has a couple of punches blocked by John.
John tries to work over Topalian's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
John is pushing Topalian up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A head punch on the inside from John fails to land.
Topalian tries to score a body lock takedown but John shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
John lands a nice uppercut.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as John takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A short right from Topalian on the inside.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Topalian throws a head punch that misses.
John wants to get back to striking at distance but Topalian won't allow it.
John is trying to push Topalian away but Topalian has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
John stalls.
John tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Topalian's elbow.
John has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Topalian seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if John can turn it around.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Topalian.
John lands a body punch in the clinch.
Topalian jumps guard but John turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Topalian drags the fight down to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
John being controlled here momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
John trying to control the position from guard on top but Topalian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
John is fighting to break Topalian's control of his arms but Topalian is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
John must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Topalian has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
John trying to control but Topalian is working from the bottom.
Topalian lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Topalian controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Topalian's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
That's four 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.
Topalian preventing the sweep.
Topalian looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Topalian is in close to John's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Papa John will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
John moves into range and connects with a jab.
John throws a right hand that misses
and Topalian counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
John keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Topalian.
Papa John seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
John keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Topalian ducks under a wild hook from John.
Topalian tries for a takedown but John circles away easily
and Topalian takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
John thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
John throws a lazy uppercut
and Topalian counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Topalian.
John taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Topalian slows down the pace here.
John effectively controlling the action here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
John displaying some good clinch control by pressing Topalian up against the cage.
Topalian misses with the head strike.
Topalian fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
John wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Topalian has him pressed against the cage.
John tries a body shot but Topalian blocks it.
Topalian prevents a body shot from John.
Topalian swings wildly with an uppercut but John uses good head movement to avoid it.
Topalian is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
John misses with a shot to the kidneys.
John lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Topalian backwards.
John is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Topalian fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
John has had enough of the clinch but Topalian keeps him there for the moment.
John escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
John throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
John avoids the body shot from Topalian.
Topalian throws the left hand but John avoids the punch easily.
A head kick by John misses
and Topalian counters with a lovely straight right hand!
John looks to land a combination but Topalian avoids it well.
Topalian tries to counter by clinching up but John breaks away and moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Topalian.
John throws a body punch but Topalian moves out of range.
Topalian tries to counter by moving into the clinch but John manages to circle out of the way.
Topalian lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
John throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Topalian tries to clinch but John is having none of it.
John throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Topalian cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Topalian slips a straight right by John.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by John.
Topalian tries to clinch but fails miserably
and John counters with a nice uppercut.
Topalian dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
John misses with a hook.
Topalian appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Topalian misses with a wild body shot.
John follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Topalian with a poor takedown
and John counters with a nice uppercut.
Topalian shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as John sprawls well. John wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Topalian gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garbis Topalian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
John throws a body punch but Topalian moves out of range.
John swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Topalian forces John back against the cage and clinches.
Topalian letting John take a breather here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
John blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for John.
A right hook to the body lands for John.
Garbis Topalian has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Topalian lands with a short shot to the head.
John breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Topalian tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but John swivels and escapes.
A little jabbing left from John on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Papa John showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
John missing with a left hand there. Topalian was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Topalian appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Topalian throws a lazy right hand but John sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
John looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A slow jab from John misses its intended target.
John works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Topalian swings and misses with a hook to the body.
John throws a lazy right hand but Topalian sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
John throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
John misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Topalian fails in his attempt to clinch.
John throws a hook but Topalian avoids it easily.
John throws out a loose jab but Topalian uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Topalian moves out of range of the strikes.
Topalian shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting John counter with a right hand.
John might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
John circles away from the clinch attempt
and John counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Topalian thinking.
Topalian shoots in but John avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from John! But no joy.
Topalian fails with an attempt to clinch.
Topalian rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and John counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Topalian fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Garbis Topalian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garbis Topalian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
John throws a body shot but no joy.
Topalian was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Topalian swings widly with a right hand
and Topalian takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
John has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
John looks to land a left hand but Topalian moved out of range nicely.
Topalian was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
John takes a swing at Topalian's ribcage but misses.
Topalian keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from John.
A little feinted left hand from Topalian on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Topalian jabs John to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Topalian misses the shot to the body.
John misses with a lunging right hand
and Topalian counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps John thinking.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
John keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
John ducks under a wild hook from Topalian.
Papa John seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Topalian staying out of range there.
Topalian shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with John but John pushes him off and we're back to square one.
John listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
John dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
John lands with a nice body punch.
Topalian throws a hook but John blocks it.
Topalian uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from John.
Topalian ducks down and throws a hook to the body but John moves away.
It seemed like John was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Topalian slips under a jab.
Topalian slips a jab from John.
John swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
John keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice defenses there by Topalian.
Topalian blocks a low kick nicely.
Topalian is looking to clinch but John is avoiding it.
John defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Topalian.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Topalian takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Topalian slips under a jab.
And that's the end of the fight!
Papa John comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got John winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Papa John!
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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
38% |
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