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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Donnie Larkin (ranked 630 p4p, 1202 weight class) and Arthur Menezes (ranked 78 p4p, 157 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.
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| 181 cm
30
188
13 - 3 - 0 |
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180 cm
32
190
24 - 16 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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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 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Donnie Larkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arthur Menezes!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larkin connects with a high kick.
Larkin walks into a left hand.
Menezes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Menezes closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Menezes lands in his opponent's guard.
Menezes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Larkin manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Menezes has Larkin in his guard.
Larkin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Larkin throwing strikes from guard but Menezes blocks nicely.
Larkin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Menezes is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Larkin defends well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Menezes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Menezes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Menezes is looking for a triangle but Larkin pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Larkin stands and throws Menezes's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Larkin scores with punches from side control.
Larkin wants to control but Menezes is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Menezes is looking for a sweep.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menezes tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Larkin presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Larkin lands a heavy elbow.
Larkin lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Menezes is looking to improve his position but Larkin isn't that keen on the idea.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Larkin lands a big shot there that rocks Menezes but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Menezes gets back to half guard.
Menezes regains full guard. Nicely done.
Menezes is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Larkin defends well.
Menezes looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Larkin passes into half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin wants to control but Menezes is keeping him busy.
Larkin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Menezes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Larkin winds up and cracks Menezes with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Larkin connects with a nice short shot to Menezes's temple.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Menezes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Larkin sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Menezes looking for submissions off his back.
Menezes is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Menezes looking for submissions off his back.
Larkin 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Donnie Larkin dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Menezes throws out a powerful jab.
Menezes slips under a jab from Larkin.
Arthur Menezes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Larkin ducks under a wild hook from Menezes.
Menezes misses with a straight left.
A quick step to the side and Larkin tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A head kick misses from Larkin.
Larkin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Menezes works Larkin's body with a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Menezes. Larkin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Larkin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Menezes can do to turn this around?
Menezes thuds a left hand into Larkin's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menezes slips under a jab.
A big right from Menezes misses.
Menezes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Larkin was well out of range. Poor timing from Menezes.
Larkin cracks Menezes with a right hand to the side of the head.
Larkin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Menezes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Larkin.
Arthur Menezes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Larkin.
Menezes lands a nice hook to Larkin's body. Larkin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Menezes avoids the head kick by Larkin.
Donnie Larkin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice sprawl there from Larkin as Menezes shoots in.
Menezes is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Larkin rather than just go for the knockout.
Larkin misses with a head kick.
Menezes with a jab.
Larkin throws a head kick that misses.
Larkin attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Larkin throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Larkin.
Menezes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Larkin swivels and escapes.
Menezes comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Menezes misses with a body shot.
Larkin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Menezes.
Larkin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Menezes decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Larkin gets back to full guard.
Menezes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menezes wants to control from the top but Larkin keeps moving.
Larkin is trying to keep Menezes in close.
Menezes trying to control but Larkin is working from the bottom.
Menezes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Larkin trying to control the position.
Larkin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Menezes.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes trying to control the position from guard on top but Larkin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Larkin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Menezes postures up.
Larkin wants to sweep here but Menezes controlling him for the moment.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Larkin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Larkin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Menezes.
Menezes getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Menezes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Menezes swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Menezes with a nice cross.
Larkin lands with a shot to the body.
Larkin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Menezes.
Larkin gets tackled into the cage by Menezes. Menezes maintains the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larkin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Larkin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Larkin wants it to stay on the feet.
Donnie Larkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arthur Menezes.
Menezes lands a jab to Larkin's midsection.
Nice uppercut lands for Menezes. That snapped Larkin's head back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Menezes ducks under a wild hook from Larkin.
Menezes cracks Larkin with a right hand to the side of the head.
Larkin throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Menezes defending well as Larkin loads up on a big left hand.
Larkin lands with an overhand left.
Larkin throws a sloppy head kick and Menezes moves out of range easily.
Menezes on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Larkin. Larkin obviously looking to wear him down.
Menezes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Larkin looks for the body kick but Menezes saw that one coming.
Larkin takes a swing at Menezes's ribcage but misses.
Menezes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Larkin defends it nicely.
Larkin throws a body shot but no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Arthur Menezes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Menezes fails with the takedown.
Menezes connects with the punch.
Menezes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Larkin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Menezes gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Larkin thuds his right hand into Menezes's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Menezes moves away from the strike by Larkin.
Larkin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Menezes scores with a jab to the body.
Larkin cracks Menezes with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Menezes bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Larkin's head.
Menezes shoots in for a takedown but Larkin shows good takedown defense.
Donnie Larkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arthur Menezes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Larkin walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Menezes checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Larkin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Larkin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Larkin throws a nice head kick!
Menezes takes a swing at Larkin's ribcage but misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Menezes throws a body shot but no joy.
Menezes clobbers Larkin with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Larkin goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Larkin throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Menezes blocks a head kick by Larkin.
Larkin has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Menezes finds it's way round the side to connect with Larkin's head.
Menezes fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Larkin scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Larkin tries a head kick but it misses.
Menezes connects with a looping right hand.
Larkin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Larkin wants it to stay on the feet.
Larkin thows a left - swing and a miss!
A jab from Menezes does it's job there.
Larkin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Larkin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Larkin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Menezes moves away.
Menezes is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Decent striking displayed by Menezes there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menezes lands a jab to the nose.
Larkin goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Menezes scores with the left hand. Larkin knows he should have avoided that one.
Menezes with a nice cross.
Larkin lands a head shot.
Menezes lands a slapping body shot.
Menezes tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Larkin defends well and Menezes ends up having to push Larkin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Larkin swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Menezes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Larkin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Larkin throws a head kick but Menezes moves out of range.
Jab by Menezes.
Larkin keeps the fight on the outside.
Larkin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Larkin ducks under a wild hook from Menezes.
A head kick misses from Larkin.
Menezes feints the counter takedown.
Larkin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Menezes at a distance.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Larkin enables Menezes to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Larkin manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Menezes slips nicely into half guard.
Menezes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Larkin has managed to free his arm - good work.
Menezes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larkin is refusing to be controlled, as Menezes sits in half guard.
My spies in Soul Supremacy Rio inform me that Menezes has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Menezes stalling.
Larkin is in trouble now - Menezes has advanced to mount!
Menezes can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Larkin is looking to escape.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Larkin is trying desperately to improve position.
Menezes jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Larkin is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Larkin and Menezes has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Menezes trying to control the action but Larkin is working from the bottom.
Menezes goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Larkin rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Menezes's guard! Nice work there by Larkin!
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Arthur Menezes.
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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Donnie Larkin!
Donnie Larkin decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
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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
54% |
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