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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Abner Applegate (ranked 374 p4p, 512 weight class) and Ri Zaadha (ranked 60 p4p, 78 weight class). Zaadha is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by On A Roll. 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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| 182 cm
41
178
35 - 18 - 3 |
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189 cm
34
177
28 - 18 - 1 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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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 35 - 18 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abner Applegate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 18 - 1, fighting out of New York, Ri Zaadha!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zaadha lands a front kick.
Applegate walks into a jab.
Applegate is looking to clinch but Zaadha is avoiding it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Applegate. Zaadha does a little dance to reset his feet.
Applegate scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Applegate swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zaadha.
Applegate tries to clinch there but Zaadha circles away.
The fighters circling - Applegate throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Applegate tries to land a front kick but Zaadha steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zaadha checks a leg kick.
Applegate ducks right into an uppercut from Zaadha.
Applegate tries to clinch but Zaadha is having none of it.
Applegate on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zaadha jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Applegate slips under a jab.
Nice shot lands for Zaadha.
Applegate has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Applegate slips a jab from Zaadha.
A quick step to the side and Applegate tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Applegate does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Zaadha looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zaadha throws a head kick that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Applegate looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Applegate moves into the clinch successfully.
Zaadha has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A frustrated look appears on Zaadha's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zaadha is trying to push Applegate away but Applegate has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Applegate lands a right hand.
Applegate pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zaadha checks a leg kick.
Applegate misses with a straight right.
Applegate gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zaadha's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zaadha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Applegate checks the leg kick nicely there.
Zaadha waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Applegate.
Zaadha lands a front kick.
Applegate on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Applegate moves forwards but Zaadha connects with a nice, crisp jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Applegate.
The fight stays on the outside here - Applegate looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Applegate tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zaadha paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A left and a right from Zaadha both land. Nice combination.
Zaadha throws a shot to the body.
Applegate misses with a jab, cross combination.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zaadha! But no joy.
A swing and a miss from Zaadha.
Applegate is looking to clinch.
Zaadha is looking to slow Applegate down with leg kicks.
A big right from Zaadha misses.
Applegate tries to clinch but Zaadha moves out of range.
Applegate tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zaadha was well out of range. Poor timing from Applegate.
Applegate darts in and clinches Zaadha up against the cage.
Zaadha wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zaadha can't break the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha manages to break the clinch.
Applegate tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Zaadha counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Applegate misses with a low kick as Zaadha jumps back.
Zaadha on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Applegate with the inside leg kick.
Zaadha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Applegate tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zaadha was well out of range. Poor timing from Applegate.
Applegate misses with a shot to the body
and Zaadha counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zaadha wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A head punch on the inside from Applegate fails to land.
Applegate tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A bit of stalling here from Zaadha.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Zaadha breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha's jab looks to have found its range, popping Applegate under the eye.
Applegate looks to throw the jab but Zaadha is out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaadha stuns Applegate with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zaadha misses with an uppercut. Applegate saw that one coming.
Applegate moves out of range of the strikes.
Applegate tries to clinch up
letting Zaadha counter with a right hand.
Applegate keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Applegate is looking to score with low kicks.
Applegate lands a jab to the nose.
Applegate rushes Zaadha and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Applegate keeps control of Zaadha as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zaadha tries to break the clinch but Applegate is controlling the position.
Zaadha breaks from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Ri Zaadha dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Zaadha fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Applegate manages to avoid it.
Applegate tries to clinch up.
Zaadha misses with a jab, cross combination.
Applegate keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zaadha.
Applegate doesn't manage to clinch there - Zaadha circles away.
Zaadha looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Applegate fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zaadha on the side of the head.
Applegate gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zaadha's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Abner Applegate seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Applegate tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zaadha manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Applegate lands a nice shot that snaps Zaadha's head back.
Zaadha throws a hook but Applegate avoids it easily.
Applegate is looking to clinch but Zaadha is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaadha misses with an uppercut.
Applegate swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Zaadha moves out of range of the strikes.
Zaadha slips under a jab from Applegate.
Applegate avoids the head kick by Zaadha.
Zaadha ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Applegate instigates a clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaadha wants to get back to striking at distance but Applegate won't allow it.
Zaadha is trying to push Applegate away but Applegate has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zaadha manages to break the clinch.
Applegate misses with a head kick.
Applegate tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Good standup being displayed there by Zaadha as he connects with a hook.
Zaadha avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zaadha lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Zaadha swats away the attempt to clinch by Applegate.
Zaadha takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Applegate walks into a stiff left hand from Zaadha.
Zaadha lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Applegate tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zaadha paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Applegate lunges at Zaadha with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zaadha's hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Applegate clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Applegate tries to throw a body punch but Zaadha avoids it by throwing Applegate back against the cage.
Zaadha is looking to break free of the clinch but Applegate has double underhooks.
Zaadha tries to circle away but Applegate has him pinned against the cage.
Applegate tries a body shot but Zaadha blocks it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Applegate's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Applegate moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Applegate misses with a wild body shot.
A combination from Zaadha does no damage.
Zaadha circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zaadha misses with a straight right.
Zaadha avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Applegate moves in looking to clinch but Zaadha pushes him off.
Zaadha throws out a powerful jab.
Applegate wants to clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Applegate moves in looking to clinch but Zaadha pushes him off.
As Applegate backs off Zaadha throws a huge counter combo but Applegate manages to avoid it all.
Applegate lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Applegate missing with a left hand there. Zaadha was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zaadha swats away the attempt to clinch by Applegate.
Applegate lands a head shot.
Applegate moves away from the strike by Zaadha.
Zaadha swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Applegate misses with a series of wild punches.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Applegate is stalling here.
Applegate lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zaadha backwards.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zaadha is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zaadha working hard to break the clinch.
Zaadha breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Applegate wants to clinch.
Applegate lands with a straight right. Zaadha didn't see that one coming.
Nice uppercut lands for Zaadha. That snapped Applegate's head back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Applegate misses with a hook.
Zaadha now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Zaadha fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Applegate has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Applegate moves into range and connects with a jab.
Applegate clinches.
Zaadha breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Abner Applegate will probably get the nod.
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!
A lazy left from Zaadha finds it's target.
Applegate throws a body punch but Zaadha moves out of range.
Zaadha lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zaadha just misses with a punch to the body.
Applegate pivots, looking for a leg kick but Zaadha is out of range and Applegate settles back down.
Applegate throws a series of punches but Zaadha avoids them all with ease.
Zaadha swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Applegate is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Zaadha lands a nice shot to the body.
Applegate wants to clinch.
Applegate fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zaadha on the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaadha throws a hook but Applegate avoids it easily.
Applegate forces Zaadha back against the cage and clinches.
Applegate lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zaadha backwards.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Applegate displaying some good clinch control by pressing Zaadha up against the cage.
Applegate doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Applegate tries to work over Zaadha's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Zaadha as Applegate tries to tie him up.
Zaadha's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Applegate wants to clinch up but Zaadha keeps it at a distance.
Applegate darts in trying to clinch
and Zaadha counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Some bone on bone action there as Applegate checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Applegate tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zaadha paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zaadha looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Applegate takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zaadha bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Applegate moves in looking to clinch but Zaadha pushes him off.
Zaadha scores with the left hand. Applegate knows he should have avoided that one.
Ri Zaadha seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Applegate throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Zaadha to counter with a crisp jab.
Applegate tries to close the distance and clinch but Zaadha swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Applegate tries to close the distance and clinch but Zaadha swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Applegate scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zaadha in his tracks.
Applegate wants to clinch.
Zaadha is looking to slow Applegate down with leg kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A cross from Zaadha lands.
Zaadha throws a nice head kick!
Applegate scores with a sloppy right hand. Zaadha should have avoided that one.
Applegate shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Zaadha eats them both and turns towards Applegate to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha swats away the attempt to clinch by Applegate.
A little jabbing left from Zaadha on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Applegate swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zaadha swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Applegate misses with a hook.
Applegate misses with a wild body shot.
A little jabbing left from Zaadha on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Zaadha misses with a jab, cross combination.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Zaadha in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Applegate tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Applegate tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Applegate looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Applegate throws a jab but it's blocked by Zaadha.
Zaadha moves forwards but Applegate connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Zaadha misses with a hook. Applegate ducked under it nicely.
A lazy left from Zaadha finds it's target.
Zaadha lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Applegate slips under a jab.
A shot to the liver by Applegate. Beautiful body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Applegate uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zaadha.
Zaadha misses the jab.
Applegate blocks a head kick by Zaadha.
Zaadha throws a series of punches but Applegate moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zaadha just misses with a punch to the body.
Applegate throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Applegate connects with a looping right hand.
Applegate throws a head kick that misses.
Applegate doesn't manage to clinch there - Zaadha circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zaadha! But no joy.
The fight stays on the outside here - Applegate looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zaadha connects with a good right hand that stumbles Applegate. Applegate circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Applegate shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Applegate lunges at Zaadha with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zaadha's hand.
Zaadha needs to keep his hands up - Applegate had a free shot at his head there.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ri Zaadha comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zaadha 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ri Zaadha!
During a confident post fight interview, Ri Zaadha thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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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
68% |
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