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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Stat Fox (ranked 3833 p4p, 6525 weight class) and Khabib Gaethje (ranked 352 p4p, 476 weight class). Khabib Gaethje will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.
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| 225 cm
25
149
1 - 0 - 0 |
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185 cm
25
145
1 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart |
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BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Stat Fox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khabib Gaethje!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fox takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gaethje misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gaethje checks a leg kick.
Gaethje swinging wildly here.
A head kick misses from Gaethje.
Gaethje tries to keep at a distance but Fox has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fox escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gaethje throws a head kick that misses.
Gaethje loads up on a big right hand but Fox slips the punch.
Gaethje tries a head kick but it misses.
Khabib Gaethje seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaethje catches Fox with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Gaethje misses with a straight left.
It looked like Fox was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Fox is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gaethje sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gaethje throws a head kick that misses.
Fox seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gaethje tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fox is defended easily by Gaethje.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox throws a one two combo.
Gaethje with a hook.
Fox misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fox rushes Gaethje and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Gaethje's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fox's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gaethje scores with a jab to the jaw.
Gaethje throws a right and a left that Fox avoids nicely.
Fox darts in and clinches Gaethje up against the cage.
I was talking to Fox's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Fox is pressed up against the cage. Gaethje has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fox down to the mat. Fox avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gaethje looking to stall.
Fox escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fox takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Gaethje throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gaethje misses with a head kick.
Gaethje throws a head kick that misses.
Some wild striking there from Gaethje.
Fox tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gaethje swivels and escapes.
Gaethje looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stat Fox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fox takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gaethje takes a kick to the side of the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje throws a head kick that misses.
Gaethje throws a lazy head kick
and Fox moves into the clinch.
Fox lands an uppercut.
Fox breaks from the clinch.
Fox looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Gaethje pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fox darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gaethje is trying to stand up here but Fox is controlling him well.
Fox seems to be working for a kimura but Gaethje defends the submission attempt.
Gaethje trying to hold on to Fox's head to control him but Fox postures up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox content to control rather than advance.
Fox will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Fox thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gaethje's head.
Fox throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Fox prevents Gaethje from improving his position.
Fox perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Khabib Gaethje will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Gaethje throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Fox moves into the clinch.
Fox goes for a takedown attempt but Gaethje pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gaethje tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gaethje throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fox throws a body shot but no joy.
Gaethje pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fox throws a head kick but Gaethje moves out of range.
Gaethje swinging wildly here.
Gaethje tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fox throws a series of punches but Gaethje avoids them all with ease.
Fox closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gaethje circles away.
Gaethje throws a fast counter high kick but Fox manages to duck under it in time.
Gaethje misses with a head kick.
Fox shoots and misses
and Gaethje counters with a head kick. That will keep Fox thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stat Fox. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gaethje takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Khabib Gaethje is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Fox with that takedown attempt.
A head kick from Gaethje lands but Fox takes it in his stride.
A nice combination there by Gaethje.
Fox blocks a head kick by Gaethje.
Gaethje just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromFox.
Nice takedown defense from Gaethje. No joy for Fox on that attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gaethje throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fox tries to clinch but Gaethje is having none of it.
Gaethje uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Fox has time to react.
Fox is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gaethje.
A head kick misses from Gaethje.
Fox blocks a head kick by Gaethje.
Fox tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Gaethje manages to circle out of the way.
Gaethje throws a head kick but Fox moves out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gaethje misses with a hook. Fox ducked under it nicely.
Gaethje scores with the left hand. Fox knows he should have avoided that one.
A jab from Gaethje misses.
Gaethje 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.
Fox slips a straight right by Gaethje.
Gaethje throws a head kick but Fox moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Gaethje. No joy for Fox on that attempt.
Gaethje keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Fox darts in looking for a takedown but Gaethje gets double underhooks and turns Fox into the cage.
Gaethje tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gaethje has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fox's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fox takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Fox takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Fox with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gaethje counters with a two punch combo.
Gaethje lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Gaethje misses with a head kick.
Fox wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Fox gets a clinch.
Gaethje is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gaethje is trying to break free.
Gaethje is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fox pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gaethje tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fox just stands there and leans against the cage.
Fox has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gaethje uses from the top position.
Gaethje drops back, looking for a kneebar! Fox looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Fox looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Fox!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fox wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gaethje, who protects the arm well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje seems a little lost for a moment, as Fox dominates the positioning.
Fox decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Fox has a takedown stuffed.
Gaethje plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Khabib Gaethje showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!
Gaethje throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice straight punches there by Gaethje. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Gaethje.
Nice takedown defense from Gaethje. No joy for Fox on that attempt.
Gaethje throws a jab when Fox was well out of range.
Gaethje misses with a hook.
Fox takes one to the side of the head.
Gaethje tries a head kick but it misses.
Fox tries to counter by clinching up but Gaethje breaks away and moves out of range.
Stat Fox is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gaethje throws a head kick that misses
and Fox counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fox.
Gaethje tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gaethje tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Fox smiles and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaethje lunges at Fox with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Fox's hand.
Gaethje throws a sloppy head kick and Fox moves out of range easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaethje tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gaethje throws a head kick that misses.
Fox clinches up against the cage.
The referee calls for Fox to work.
Gaethje tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Stat Fox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Gaethje.
Fox jumps into guard, dragging Gaethje to the mat.
Fox lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Fox sitting in guard here, content to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fox sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gaethje's guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fox sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gaethje defending well though.
Fox not doing much here.
Fox postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Gaethje to stand up.
Gaethje throws a right and a left that Fox avoids nicely.
Gaethje throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Fox's head.
Fox showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gaethje.
Gaethje misses with a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fox blocks a head kick by Gaethje.
Gaethje takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaethje misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fox is looking to counter the offense by Gaethje and move into the clinch.
Fox moves into the clinch.
Gaethje is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fox gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gaethje tries to pull guard but Fox holds him up against the cage and eventually Gaethje drops back down to his feet.
Fox breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Gaethje misses.
Fox went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Gaethje swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
No luck for Fox with that takedown attempt.
Fox shoots in looking for a takedown. Gaethje tries to sprawl out of it but Fox keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gaethje manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gaethje feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Foxs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fox tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gaethje swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fox is looking to clinch.
Fox looks to land a right hand but Gaethje moved out of range.
Gaethje swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Gaethje throws a sloppy head kick and Fox moves out of range easily.
Gaethje bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Fox's head backwards.
Fox looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gaethje is fending him off so far but Fox persists. Nope, Gaethje circles away and we're back to standing.
Gaethje tries a head kick but it misses.
Fox fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gaethje avoids it really well and circles away.
And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Gaethje comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gaethje 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Gaethje!
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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
51% |
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