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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paul Muhapuro (ranked 406 p4p, 322 weight class) and Jake Bird (ranked 60 p4p, 45 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 177 cm
30
196
22 - 10 - 0 |
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170 cm
31
195
21 - 12 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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BJJ Red Belt
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 22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Muhapuro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jake Bird!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, William Gold and Colin Fotheringham.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bird slips a straight right by Muhapuro.
Bird drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Muhapuro defends it well.
Muhapuro looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bird forces Muhapuro back against the cage and clinches.
Bird jumps guard but Muhapuro turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A head punch on the inside from Bird fails to land.
Bird tries to throw a body punch but Muhapuro avoids it by throwing Bird back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Muhapuro.
Bird breaks the clinch.
Bird throws a lazy right hand but Muhapuro sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Muhapuro looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Muhapuro takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Muhapuro connects with the punch.
Muhapuro throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A punch lands to the side of Bird 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bird throws an overhand right that lands on Muhapuro's shoulder, as Muhapuro tries to avoid the shot.
Muhapuro lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bird misses with a wild body shot.
Bird closes the distance and clinches up with Muhapuro, looking for a takedown. Bird pushes Muhapuro against the cage but Muhapuro circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Muhapuro dips to his left and cracks Bird with an uppercut!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Muhapuro buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Bird tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Muhapuro swivels and escapes.
Paul Muhapuro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Bird.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhapuro lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Muhapuro lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Muhapuro rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
so Bird counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Muhapuro pushes Bird off and scrambles back to his feet.
A solid leg kick lands there for Muhapuro.
Bird tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Muhapuro paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Muhapuro tried to counter with a leg kick but Bird avoided it.
Bird throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Muhapuro is looking to score with low kicks.
Bird drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Muhapuro defends it well.
Muhapuro misses with a left hand
letting Bird counter with a right hand.
Bird pushes Muhapuro up against the cage in a clinch.
Muhapuro works on Bird's body with a couple of short punches.
Bird breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bird moves away from the strike by Muhapuro.
Muhapuro throws out a loose jab but Bird uses good head movement to avoid it.
Muhapuro moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bird cracks Muhapuro with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Muhapuro walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bird checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Paul Muhapuro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muhapuro with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nice uppercut there from Muhapuro.
Bird avoids the body shot from Muhapuro.
Bird ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Muhapuro lands with an uppercut that bounces Bird off the cage and back into range.
Muhapuro throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Muhapuro throws a push kick but Bird slaps the foot to one side.
Muhapuro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bird.
Muhapuro scores with a spinning back kick!
Muhapuro is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Muhapuro listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Muhapuro connects with a leg kick.
Muhapuro lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Muhapuro tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bird is able to avoid easily.
Muhapuro wants to land a leg kick but Bird is out of range.
Muhapuro throws a hook to the side of Bird's head but Bird sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice body punch from Muhapuro.
Some bone on bone action there as Bird checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird shoots in but no luck this time.
Muhapuro stuffs the takedown.
It looked like Muhapuro wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Muhapuro takes one on the button.
A low kick lands for Muhapuro.
Muhapuro fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bird blocks a leg kick.
A jab lands there for Muhapuro.
Muhapuro waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bird.
Muhapuro throws a leg kick which misses Bird's front leg but catches the back leg as Bird tries to avoid it.
Bird blocks a jab.
Bird takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bird is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Muhapuro's half guard.
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!
Bird prevents Muhapuro from standing back up.
Bird slows the pace down in half guard.
Muhapuro is trying to stand back up but Bird is controlling him
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Muhapuro defends it well.
Bird is looking to advance position but Muhapuro won't allow it.
Muhapuro kicks off Bird and gets to his feet.
Muhapuro connects with an inside leg kick.
Bird misses with a wild body shot.
Muhapuro lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bird will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bird closes the distance and clinches up with Muhapuro, looking for a takedown. Bird pushes Muhapuro against the cage but Muhapuro circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Muhapuro with a nice calf kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Muhapuro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bird was well out of range. Poor timing from Muhapuro.
Bird is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Muhapuro throws a right hand that Bird ducks under and follows up with a left that Bird also avoids with ease.
Muhapuro throws a leg kick but Bird checks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Paul Muhapuro dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Muhapuro finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bird drives through with a takedown into Muhapuro's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bird stops Muhapuro from standing up.
Bird wants to pass the guard but Muhapuro is keeping the position.
Muhapuro manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Bird blocking some punches.
Bird jumps guard and drags Muhapuro to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Muhapuro tries to stand but Bird is controlling from the bottom.
Bird looking to control.
Bird has a closed guard, preventing Muhapuro from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhapuro stands and steps away. Bird gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bird fails to land the takedown.
Bird lands with a nice body punch.
Paul Muhapuro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Muhapuro clobbers Bird with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bird shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Muhapuro sprawls well. Muhapuro wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bird gets slowly back to his feet.
Muhapuro swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bird.
Muhapuro finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Muhapuro lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bird has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bird and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Muhapuro connects with a leg kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Muhapuro.
A slapping leg kick lands for Muhapuro.
Muhapuro throws out a leg kick but Bird moves out of range and Muhapuro only half commits.
Bird wants to counter the offense by Muhapuro and move into the clinch position.
A shot to the liver by Muhapuro. Beautiful body shot.
Muhapuro lands an overhand right.
Muhapuro misses with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Muhapuro misses with a low kick.
Muhapuro tries to keep at a distance but Bird has taken the fight into the clinch.
Muhapuro throws a head punch that misses.
Bird tries to pull guard but Muhapuro forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Paul Muhapuro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Bird.
Bird ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Bird no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Bird is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Muhapuro is aware though and is defending well.
Muhapuro wants to stand but Bird has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Muhapuro gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Muhapuro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bird sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Muhapuro punishes Bird's body with a nice straight punch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Muhapuro connects with a solid leg kick.
Bird walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Muhapuro lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bird wants to clinch
and Muhapuro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bird shoots in and gets a takedown into Muhapuro's guard.
Muhapuro has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Bird is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Muhapuro has a couple of punches blocked by Bird.
Muhapuro makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bird is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Muhapuro to keep the fight standing.
A nice right hand lands inside from Muhapuro.
Bird breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bird's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Muhapuro tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Muhapuro is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bird.
Bird dives in for a single leg takedown but Muhapuro sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Muhapuro.
Bird drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Muhapuro defends it well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muhapuro scores with a nice right hand.
Bird takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bird chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Muhapuro can pounce on him.
Bird shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
An inside leg kick lands from Muhapuro.
Muhapuro connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bird looks for a takedown but Muhapuro sprawls well.
A swing and a miss from Muhapuro.
Muhapuro lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A shot to the liver by Muhapuro. Beautiful body shot.
Muhapuro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bird.
Donk. Muhapuro catches Bird right on the button with a cross.
Muhapuro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Muhapuro explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Bird is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Muhapuro rather than just go for the knockout.
Muhapuro connects with an inside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Paul Muhapuro dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Muhapuro misses with a series of wild punches.
Bird displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Muhapuro throws out the jab.
Muhapuro stalks Bird and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bird's face. Bird staggers backwards, shaken.
Bird goes for a double leg but Muhapuro avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Muhapuro continues to drive forward.
Muhapuro keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bird looks for a takedown but Muhapuro sprawls well.
Muhapuro lands a leg kick that knocks Bird off balance momentarily.
Muhapuro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muhapuro lands with a right hand.
Muhapuro scoring well with a low kick there.
Bird walks into a jab.
Muhapuro walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bird checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Donk. Muhapuro catches Bird right on the button with a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Muhapuro fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bird has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Muhapuro.
Muhapuro slaps away a takedown attempt from Bird, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Paul Muhapuro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Bird.
Bird avoids the body shot from Muhapuro.
A slow jab from Muhapuro misses its intended target.
Paul Muhapuro is winning the standup battle so far.
Muhapuro fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bird shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Muhapuro lands a jab to the nose.
Bird 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.
Bird drops his hands momentarily and Muhapuro takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Muhapuro lands with a right hand.
A low kick lands for Muhapuro.
Muhapuro scores with a shot to the body.
Muhapuro leaves Bird with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Muhapuro wants to slow Bird down by chopping away at his legs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bird ducks under a wild hook from Muhapuro.
Muhapuro tries to land a leg kick but Bird saw it coming and moves away.
Muhapuro thumps Bird with a low kick.
Muhapuro connects with an inside leg kick.
Muhapuro misses with a low kick.
Bird drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Muhapuro defends it well.
Muhapuro connects with a leg kick.
Muhapuro throws a leg kick that misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Muhapuro.
Muhapuro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bird throws out the jab.
Muhapuro looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Muhapuro connects with a jab.
Muhapuro jabs Bird right on the nose. Bird blinks but takes it well.
Bird throws a big shot that misses.
Muhapuro connects with an inside leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bird fails to land the takedown.
As Bird backs away, Muhapuro returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Bird has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Bird avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Muhapuro sets himself, and Bird steps forward looking for the clinch! Muhapuro avoids it this time.
Muhapuro lands a leg kick that knocks Bird off balance momentarily.
Bird misses with a body shot.
Muhapuro misses with a low kick.
And Bird tries to counter it with a takedown but Muhapuro pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bird shoots in but no luck this time.
Muhapuro lands with a straight right. Bird didn't see that one coming.
Bird shoots for a double leg takedown but Muhapuro sprawls well. He's pushed Bird's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bird takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Muhapuro scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bird shoots in for a double leg but Muhapuro sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Muhapuro scores with a jab.
Muhapuro lands with an overhand left.
Muhapuro lands with an overhand left.
Muhapuro throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Muhapuro as Bird shoots in.
Muhapuro tried to counter with a leg kick but Bird avoided it.
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!
An inside leg kick lands from Muhapuro.
Muhapuro throws an overhand right that lands on Bird's shoulder, as Bird tries to avoid the shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Bird blocks the leg kick.
Muhapuro throws a leg kick which misses Bird's front leg but catches the back leg as Bird tries to avoid it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Bird crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Muhapuro - the referee stops the clock and Bird gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Muhapuro. Bird manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Bird has managed to clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Muhapuro.
Muhapuro lands an uppercut.
Muhapuro lands a hook to the side of the head.
Muhapuro can't find room to land a body shot as Bird controls the action.
Muhapuro has a couple of punches blocked by Bird.
Muhapuro throws a punch but it's blocked by Bird.
Nice body punch from Muhapuro.
Bird ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Bird no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Bird is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Muhapuro defends well.
Jake Bird has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Muhapuro stands up from guard. Let's bang!
And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Muhapuro showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Muhapuro has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Muhapuro!
Paul Muhapuro seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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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
79% |
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