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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Patrick River (ranked 733 p4p, 605 weight class) and Papa Legba (ranked 118 p4p, 96 weight class). River comes to the cage accompanied by Pantera - Walk. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 188 cm
29
186
12 - 9 - 1 |
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178 cm
29
185
18 - 7 - 2 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
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 12 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Patrick River!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 2, fighting out of New York, Papa Legba!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Paul Tew and Andrew Berry.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
River tries to close the distance and clinch up but Legba swats him away and circles back towards the center.
River takes a jab right on the kisser.
River misses with a lunging right hand
and Legba counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A decent looking cross lands there for Legba.
River with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Legba scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Papa Legba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
River defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Legba.
Legba stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
It looks like Patrick River has been cut.
River closes the distance and clinches.
Legba changes levels and goes for a takedown here. River fights it off and pushes away nicely.
River lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Legba tries to bum rush River with a series of wild strikes but River uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Legba jabbing away but nothing is landing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Legba jabs at River's body.
Legba darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Legba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but River manages to avoid it.
River defending well as Legba loads up on a big left hand.
Legba throws the left hand but River avoids the punch easily.
River connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd cheers as River lands an impressive looking overhand right. Legba doesn't seem phased though.
River lands a jab to the nose.
A leg kick checked by Legba.
Legba lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Legba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. River sees it coming and avoids it easily.
River is looking to score with low kicks.
River tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice shot lands for Legba.
Legba throws a right hand that River ducks under and follows up with a left that River also avoids with ease.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Legba throws a body shot but no joy.
River looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
River throws a hook but Legba avoids it easily.
River throws a jab but it's blocked by Legba.
Legba catches River with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
River throws a shot to the body.
A punch combination from Legba misses.
Legba lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
River has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Legba stuns River with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
River on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
River is rocked!
River slips a straight right by Legba.
Oh River is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Legba swings for the body but River moves out of range.
River seems to have got his legs back now.
Legba takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Legba connects with a right hand. River shakes it off.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
River throws a looping overhand right but Legba ducks down to avoid it.
River moves into range and clinches up with Legba.
River can't find room to land a body shot as Legba controls the action.
River blocks a punch to the side of the head.
River misses with a punch to the body.
I was talking to River's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Legba slows down the pace here.
Legba is looking for a takedown.
Patrick River has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Papa Legba.
Legba ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Legba no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Legba keeping full guard, as River tries to pass.
Legba is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. River is aware though and is defending well.
River trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Legba looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Legba is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
River drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Legba dives on top into guard.
Legba works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Legba is taking a breather. River says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
River is not content to let Legba control the position.
River looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
River is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Legba pulls his head out easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Papa Legba dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Patrick River's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
River bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
River lands with a thumping leg kick.
River scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
River on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
River moves out of range of the strikes.
River fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Legba checks it well.
River misses with a jab, cross combination.
Legba misses with a lunging right hand
and River counters with a straight right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Legba. River does a little dance to reset his feet.
River looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Legba uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by River.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River throws a leg kick but Legba sees it coming and moves out of range.
Legba digs a good body shot into River's ribs.
A jab lands there for Legba.
Legba looks to throw the jab but River is out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Legba throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
River seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Donk. Legba catches River right on the button with a cross.
River looks to clinch
and Legba counters with a nice uppercut.
A jab from River misses.
Legba's jab looks to have found its range, popping River under the eye.
Legba lands a body shot.
River jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Legba ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Legba dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
River uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Legba has time to react.
Legba takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Legba has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Legba lands a right hook to the body.
Legba clobbers River with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
River fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Legba is out of range.
Nice shot by Legba.
A jab from Legba misses.
River walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
River takes the fight into the clinch.
River tries to throw a body punch but Legba avoids it by throwing River back against the cage.
River misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A bit of stalling here from Legba.
River's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
River gets underhooks to prevent Legba's takedown attempt.
River misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Legba.
Legba lands a left hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
Legba tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
River lands a right hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for River.
Legba jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as River walks away with a smile on his face. Legba gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Patrick River has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Papa Legba.
Legba lands a lovely overhand right.
River throws a body punch but Legba moves out of range.
River misses with a body punch
and Legba counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Legba throws a right hand that River ducks under and follows up with a left that River also avoids with ease.
River staying out of range there.
Papa Legba seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Legba fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Legba throws a big shot that misses.
Legba pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
River is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Legba.
River takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
River displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Legba throws out the jab.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
River pulls out of a head kick attempt.
River lands a nice leg kick that just misses Legba's sensitive parts.
Legba cracks River with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Patrick River's cut is getting worse.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Legba slips under a jab from River.
River moves out of range as Legba strikes.
Legba dips to his left and cracks River with an uppercut!
River misses with a leg kick
and Legba counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Legba looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for River!
River is looking for a sweep.
River regains half guard.
Legba is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. River doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Legba.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Legba not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Papa Legba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Patrick River's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!
Legba misses with a wild body shot.
River shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Legba eats them both and turns towards River to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
River looks to land a right hand but Legba moved out of range.
Legba jabs at River's body.
Legba jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Legba backs away, River returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Legba. River does a little dance to reset his feet.
Legba misses with a hook. River ducked under it nicely.
River looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Legba throws a shot to the body.
Legba swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by River.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Legba throws a right hand that misses
and River counters with a left and a right that stings Legba.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Legba.
River takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Legba moves out of range of the leg kick from River.
That's one minute gone in the round.
River feints and then cracks Legba's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Legba down.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Legba is just out of range.
Legba appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Legba throws a looping overhand right but River ducks down to avoid it.
Legba bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
River throws a lazy uppercut
and Legba counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps River thinking.
Legba misses with a series of wild punches.
A jab from Legba misses.
River lands a nice looking kick to the body. Legba takes a step back to recover.
River misses with a body shot.
Legba throws out a loose jab but River uses good head movement to avoid it.
River scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
River throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by River. That's going to slow Legba down.
River moves out of range as Legba strikes.
A big right from Legba misses.
River takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River stuns Legba with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Legba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River.
A telegraphed right hand from Legba misses the target.
River closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Legba is looking for a takedown up against the cage. River gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Legba.
Legba jumps guard but River stands there with Legba around his waist. Legba gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A hook to the body from River.
Legba takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Legba working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Patrick River has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Legba looking for a takedown.
Patrick River has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Papa Legba.
River lands with a short shot to the head.
Legba wants a takedown.
Legba misses with a hook to the ribs.
A body shot lands from River.
River lands with a short shot to the head.
A right hand to the body from River.
Patrick River has scored more points in the clinch so far.
River lands with a light punch inside.
River tries a body shot but Legba blocks it.
Papa Legba is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
River tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Legba's elbow.
Legba goes for a takedown in the clinch but River prevents it.
Legba blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
River lands a body shot.
River tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
River misses with a hook from the clinch.
River working aggressively here.
Legba blocks a body shot from River.
River displaying some good clinch control by pressing Legba up against the cage.
Legba avoiding damage as River throws knees to the body.
River goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from River.
River tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Legba's elbow.
River is struggling to control the position.
Good body shot from River.
Legba goes for a takedown attempt but River pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
And that's the end of the fight!
Patrick River showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Legba 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Papa Legba!
In his post fight interview, Papa Legba 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
64% |
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