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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Araujo (ranked 740 p4p, 1962 weight class) and Solomon Nao (ranked 97 p4p, 239 weight class). 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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| 193 cm
36
285
26 - 25 - 0 |
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190 cm
40
258
34 - 16 - 0 |
BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Araujo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Solomon Nao!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Shimada and Kenichi Hosakawa.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Araujo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Araujo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nao digs a good hook to Araujo's body.
Nao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Araujo.
Araujo has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Nao takes a jab right on the kisser.
Araujo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Araujo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Araujo postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Nao is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Araujo, into his guard.
Araujo working a defensive guard here.
Araujo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nao gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nao is stalling in the full guard.
Araujo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Araujo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nao gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nao won't allow Araujo to sweep him here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nao engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Araujo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Nao trying to control the position from guard on top but Araujo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nao sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Araujo's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nao is thwarting Araujo's attempts to control the position.
Araujo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Araujo actively working from the bottom here.
Nao has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at HELLCADEMY. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Araujo tries to get to full guard but Nao has control of the leg.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nao trying to control from half guard but Araujo is working away.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Araujo looking for a kimura from the bottom but Nao passes into side control!
You can see the frustration on Araujo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Araujo is looking for a sweep.
Araujo is working hard here to advance position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Araujo can't do much from the bottom here.
Nao wants to control but Araujo is keeping him busy.
Araujo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Nao wants to control but Araujo is keeping him busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Araujo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nao's best efforts.
Araujo is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nao's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nao's back!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Thiago Araujo dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Nao swinging wildly here.
Thiago Araujo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Araujo closes the distance and clinches.
Nao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Araujo'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.
Nao tries to work over Araujo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nao works on Araujo's body with a couple of short punches.
Nao lands an uppercut.
Araujo prevents a body shot from Nao.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Araujo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nao just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nao swings wildly with an uppercut but Araujo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Araujo decides to pull guard.
Araujo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nao defends it easily.
Nao controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo wants to improve his position but instead Nao has moved into half guard.
Nao prevents Araujo from improving his position.
Araujo wants to get back to full guard but Nao has passed into side control.
Araujo is being controlled here.
Araujo is trying to get back to half guard.
Araujo wants to control but Nao postures up.
Thiago Araujo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Araujo is looking for a sweep.
Araujo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nao's best efforts.
Araujo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Araujo is in all sorts of trouble here.
Solomon Nao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nao sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Araujo tries to control the position but Nao now has his back.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nao really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Araujo.
Araujo trying to control the hands but Nao won't let him.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Nao controlling the positon.
Araujo tries to roll but Nao sticks to his back.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Araujo tries to break free.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
I would not like to be Araujo right now.
Nao struggling to keep hold of the position.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Nao controlling the positon.
Nao gets his hands free as Araujo looks to control.
Araujo rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nao passes to full mount!
Araujo tries to lock up and control but Nao gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Solomon Nao showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Araujo smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nao throws a jab but it's blocked by Araujo.
Araujo changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Araujo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nao counters with a thumping low kick.
Araujo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nao as he jumps to the side.
Nao looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nao misses the jab.
Araujo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
As Araujo backs off Nao throws a huge counter combo but Araujo manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Araujo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nao fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Araujo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nao finds it's way round the side to connect with Araujo's head.
Araujo goes for a double leg but Nao avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nao continues to drive forward.
Nao lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nao.
Nao breaks from the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo has his takedown stuffed
and Nao counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nao lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nao cracks Araujo with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Araujo looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Nao finish him?
Araujo is rocked!
Nao and Araujo are patiently standing in front of each other looking for an opening. Nao throws a head kick. It's landed, knocking Araujo into next week! Ooooh that was huge! Nao knows it - he's on the cage flexing is biceps. That's a bit weird considering he won by kick but whatever.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Solomon Nao!
During a confident post fight interview, Solomon Nao 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
41% |
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