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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paul Muhapuro (ranked 528 p4p, 663 weight class) and Arthur Menezes (ranked 73 p4p, 95 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 177 cm
24
198
11 - 4 - 0 |
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180 cm
31
190
23 - 14 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Muhapuro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arthur Menezes!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Taro Takaoka.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menezes lands a jab to Muhapuro's midsection.
Muhapuro misses with a low kick.
Muhapuro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Menezes manages to avoid it.
Menezes tries to close the distance and clinch but Muhapuro swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Muhapuro smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A telegraphed right hand from Menezes misses the target.
Muhapuro throws out a powerful jab.
Menezes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Menezes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Muhapuro.
Menezes clobbers Muhapuro with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Muhapuro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Muhapuro takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A big left from Muhapuro misses.
Menezes fails with the takedown.
Menezes jabs at Muhapuro's body.
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!
A shot to the body from Menezes misses
and Muhapuro counters with a low kick, right behind Menezes 's knee.
Menezes misses with a hook. Muhapuro ducked under it nicely.
Muhapuro takes a swing at Menezes's ribcage but misses.
Muhapuro looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhapuro just misses with a punch to the body.
Menezes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Muhapuro manages to avoid it.
Muhapuro half committed to a counter leg kick.
Menezes shoots in and drives through. Muhapuro sprawls well.
Menezes ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Menezes closes the distance and clinches up with Muhapuro, looking for a takedown. Menezes pushes Muhapuro against the cage but Muhapuro circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Paul Muhapuro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arthur Menezes.
A cross from Menezes lands.
Muhapuro with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Paul Muhapuro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Muhapuro lands a nice shot to the body.
Menezes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Muhapuro throws a nice outside leg kick.
Muhapuro slips a jab from Menezes.
Menezes looks to throw the jab but Muhapuro is out of range.
Menezes blocks the body kick.
Menezes feints the counter takedown.
An inside leg kick from Muhapuro misses.
Menezes throws a shot from downtown. Muhapuro moves away and avoids it.
A left lands for Menezes.
Muhapuro tries to land a leg kick but Menezes saw it coming and moves away.
Arthur Menezes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Menezes fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Menezes connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muhapuro throws a sloppy head kick and Menezes moves out of range easily.
Muhapuro throws a leg kick but Menezes checks it.
Muhapuro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Menezes lands a head shot.
We've been told by Muhapuro's head coaches at Gymi that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Menezes throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Muhapuro stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Muhapuro misses the jab.
Muhapuro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Menezes.
Menezes lands an overhand right.
Muhapuro throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Muhapuro turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Muhapuro lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Menezes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Muhapuro swivels and escapes.
Menezes connects with a crisp jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Menezes, as that shot connected.
Menezes misses with a wild body shot.
Menezes misses with a straight right.
A decent looking cross lands there for Muhapuro.
Muhapuro digs a good body shot into Menezes's ribs.
An inside leg kick from Muhapuro misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Muhapuro.
Menezes has managed to clinch.
Menezes struggles to land a body shot inside as Muhapuro controls his hands.
Menezes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Menezes gets through Muhapuro's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Muhapuro.
Muhapuro blocks a body shot from Menezes.
Muhapuro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Good work by Menezes as he checks the leg kick.
Menezes blocks the body kick.
Muhapuro lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Menezes looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Muhapuro!
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!
Muhapuro tries to buck Menezes off but Menezes is having none of it.
Menezes working away.
Who's going to make the next move?
Menezes tries to score with some ground and pound. Muhapuro controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menezes tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on Muhapuro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Menezes goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Muhapuro has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Menezes but great work by Muhapuro.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Menezes is looking to reverse the position.
Menezes is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Muhapuro off and has taken his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Muhapuro controlling his opponent's hands, preventing the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Arthur Menezes 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.
Muhapuro delivers a nice body kick.
Menezes takes a swing at Muhapuro's ribcage but misses.
Muhapuro throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Menezes dodges the punch combination from Muhapuro.
Menezes dives in for a single leg takedown but Muhapuro sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Menezes shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Menezes showed some decent athleticism there.
Muhapuro is not content to let Menezes control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muhapuro wants to get back to full guard.
Menezes seems to be working for a kimura but Muhapuro defends the submission attempt.
Menezes is trying to control. Muhapuro wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhapuro is looking for a sweep. Menezes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Menezes wants to take a breather but Muhapuro is having none of it.
Muhapuro is looking for a sweep. Menezes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Menezes is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Menezes is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Muhapuro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Menezes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Muhapuro has managed to free his arm - good work.
Muhapuro desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Menezes trying to control the action but Muhapuro is working from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Muhapuro moves into full guard.
Menezes wants to control from the top but Muhapuro keeps moving.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muhapuro wants to get back to his feet but Menezes is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Menezes steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Muhapuro. That one must have hurt.
Muhapuro connects with a solid leg kick.
Muhapuro misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Muhapuro takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Menezes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Menezes listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Menezes takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Menezes just misses with a punch to the body.
Menezes looks to score with a jab to the body but Muhapuro is just out of range.
Muhapuro throws a chopping leg kick but Menezes manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Menezes connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menezes comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Menezes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Muhapuro paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Muhapuro will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Menezes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Muhapuro tries to avoid it but Menezes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Muhapuro to the ground. Muhapuro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Muhapuro misses with a low kick as Menezes jumps back.
Menezes misses with a body shot.
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!
Menezes tries to clinch but Muhapuro is having none of it.
Some bone on bone action there as Menezes checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Muhapuro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Menezes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Menezes takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Paul Muhapuro is winning the standup battle so far.
Muhapuro throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Menezes. Muhapuro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Muhapuro is looking to chop away at Menezes's legs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Menezes blocks a low kick nicely.
Menezes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Menezes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Menezes swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Muhapuro.
Menezes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Muhapuro.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Arthur Menezes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Muhapuro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Menezes throws out the jab.
Menezes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Menezes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Muhapuro.
Menezes lands with a shot to the body.
Muhapuro takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Menezes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Muhapuro paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Menezes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Muhapuro tries to keep at a distance but Menezes has taken the fight into the clinch.
Muhapuro breaks from the clinch.
Muhapuro throws a jab but it's blocked by Menezes.
Muhapuro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Menezes.
Muhapuro is looking to land body kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menezes throws a lazy right hand but Muhapuro sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Menezes misses with a body shot.
Menezes tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Muhapuro throws a low kick but Menezes moves out of range easily.
Menezes's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Menezes lands with a shot to the body.
Menezes's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Muhapuro connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Menezes scrambles back to his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhapuro throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Menezes throws a body punch but Muhapuro moves out of range.
Menezes wants to clinch.
Menezes throws a jab when Muhapuro was well out of range.
Muhapuro circles away from the clinch attempt.
Menezes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Muhapuro.
Menezes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Menezes has closed the distance and engaged Muhapuro in a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Menezes fails to land.
Menezes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Menezes just misses with a punch to the body.
Muhapuro throws a quick counter kick to the body but Menezes avoids it.
Muhapuro scores with a kick to the body.
Menezes scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Menezes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Muhapuro.
The fighters circling - Muhapuro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Menezes changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Muhapuro motions for Menezes to come forward. Muhapuro throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Menezes with the counter takedown but Muhapuro avoids it easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Menezes.
Menezes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Muhapuro.
Muhapuro delivers a nice body kick.
Menezes slips a straight right by Muhapuro.
Muhapuro cracks Menezes with a good jab.
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!
Menezes's jab looks to have found its range, popping Muhapuro under the eye.
Menezes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Muhapuro paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Muhapuro was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Menezes takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Menezes misses with a hook. Muhapuro ducked under it nicely.
A clash of legs there as Menezes blocks the low kick.
Muhapuro throws a head kick that misses.
Menezes ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Menezes's corner calls for a 1-2. Menezes obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Menezes steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Muhapuro. That one must have hurt.
Muhapuro fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Menezes checks it well.
A low kick lands for Muhapuro.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muhapuro connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Menezes closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Muhapuro quickly recovers to half guard.
Muhapuro has one foot on Menezes's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Menezes drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Menezes is trying to get an arm triangle but Muhapuro is defending well.
Menezes working away.
Menezes goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Muhapuro has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Menezes but great work by Muhapuro.
Menezes manages to work his way to half guard, despite Muhapuro's best efforts.
Menezes is looking for a sweep. Muhapuro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muhapuro perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Menezes actively working from the bottom here.
Menezes has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Menezes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Arthur Menezes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Muhapuro is pressing down on Menezes's thigh, looking to free his foot. Menezes is holding on for now.
Menezes is trying to maintain the position but Muhapuro is very close to passing his half guard.
Muhapuro trying to mount his opponent but Menezes defends it.
Paul Muhapuro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Menezes is trying to maintain the position but Muhapuro is very close to passing his half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Muhapuro showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Menezes has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:28
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Paul Muhapuro!
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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
62% |
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