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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Luke Morales (ranked 5153 p4p, 4072 weight class) and George Starling (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as George Starling enters the cage!
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| 180 cm
18
180
2 - 0 - 0 |
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182 cm
25
180
1 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin |
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BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid 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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Luke Morales!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, George Starling!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Emerson Jorge and Edson Gomes.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Starling closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Starling thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Starling is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Morales has escaped the position, nice work there.
Starling really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Morales. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Starling just content to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Morales is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Starling is controlling him well.
Starling working the ground and pound.
Starling thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The referee asks Starling politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Starling prefers to stall for the moment though.
Morales is trying to buck Starling off.
Starling decides to stand up, so the ref orders Morales to his feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Starling feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Starling controls from within his opponent's guard.
Starling looking to pass the guard.
Morales wants to stand but Starling is controlling the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starling drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Starling jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Starling slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Morales is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Starling must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Starling looking to pass the guard.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Starling drives through with a takedown into Morales's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Starling is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Morales is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Morales has escaped and now he's on top!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starling pulls Morales in close to prevent any damage.
Morales wants to get up but he can't break Starling's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Starling looking to hit a scissor sweep but Morales is one step ahead there.
Starling is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
George Starling dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Starling scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Morales is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Starling slows the pace down.
Morales is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Starling asserts his dominance and retains side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starling is chipping away with strikes.
Starling in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Starling tries to advance to mount but Morales denies him.
Morales is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Starling is controlling him well.
Starling has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Luke Morales seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Starling shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Morales's guard.
Starling has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Starling stops Morales from standing up.
Starling chips away with some ground and pound.
Starling is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morales has momentary wrist control but Starling slips an elbow through the middle.
George Starling has got the better of the ground game so far.
Starling prevents Morales from getting back to his feet.
Starling engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Starling decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Morales, up you get!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starling shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Starling was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Morales on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Starling stands up.
Starling goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Morales throws a poor cross that misses
and Starling counters by clinching up.
Starling breaks the clinch.
Luke Morales is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Morales throws a lazy right hand but Starling sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Starling forces Morales back against the cage and clinches.
Starling is trying to pull guard but Morales turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Morales misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Starling.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starling has clasped his hands together around Morales's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morales wants to get back to his feet but Starling drags him back down.
A lull in the action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Starling tries to advance to mount but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
George Starling showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Morales 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.
Starling closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Starling lands in his opponent's guard.
Morales wants to stand up but Starling is controlling him.
Starling decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morales throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Starling counters with a single leg into guard. Morales didn't expect that.
Starling wants to pass the guard but Morales is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morales is looking to stand up but Starling isn't so interested in that idea.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Starling landing with the ground and pound.
Starling's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Starling won't allow Morales to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Starling sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Starling gets to his feet - Morales follows without any prompting.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Starling takes the fight into the clinch.
Starling on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Starling tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Morales smiles and moves away.
Morales throws a hook but Starling blocks it.
Starling closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Morales tries to land a knee to the head but Starling blocks with his arms.
Starling breaks from the clinch.
Starling shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Starling keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morales looks like he's trying to stand up.
Starling is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Morales reverses the position - he's now on top in Starling's guard.
Starling is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Morales trying to stand up but can't free himself from Starling's guard.
Morales stands up from guard. Let's bang!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starling steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Morales.
Starling now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Starling pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Starling scores with a takedown into Morales's guard.
Starling sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Morales keeping full guard, as Starling tries to pass.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Starling postures up and lands a big shot to Morales's brow.
And that's the end of the fight!
George Starling comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Starling 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Starling!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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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
31% |
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