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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zaid Al Balushi (ranked 787 p4p, 1277 weight class) and Vinnie Pellegrini (ranked 118 p4p, 186 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.
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| 180 cm
36
155
23 - 12 - 1 |
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179 cm
31
158
22 - 8 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zaid Al Balushi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vinnie Pellegrini!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Shimada.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Balushi is looking to score with low kicks.
Al Balushi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Pellegrini misses the shot to the body.
Pellegrini tries to clinch up
letting Al Balushi counter with a right hand.
Al Balushi just misses with a punch to the body.
Al Balushi throws out a loose jab but Pellegrini uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pellegrini throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Al Balushis head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Balushi lands an uppercut.
Pellegrini tries to work over Al Balushi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Pellegrini breaks from the clinch.
Al Balushi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
It seemed like Pellegrini was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Al Balushi misses with a kick to the body
and Pellegrini cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Balushi slips a straight right by Pellegrini.
Al Balushi swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Pellegrini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al Balushi throws a good cross that connects.
Pellegrini swinging wildly here.
As Pellegrini tries to get set, Al Balushi tries to push him back and clinch up but Pellegrini manages to avoid the attempt.
Pellegrini throws a lazy body kick
and Pellegrini takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pellegrini attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Al Balushi quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Pellegrini is looking to clinch but Al Balushi is avoiding it.
Pellegrini misses with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a body kick.
A low kick lands for Pellegrini.
Pellegrini misses with a body punch
and Al Balushi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Al Balushi throws a looping overhand right but Pellegrini ducks down to avoid it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi moves out of range as Pellegrini throws a body kick.
Pellegrini tries to clinch there but Al Balushi circles away.
Pellegrini misses with a lunging right hand
and Al Balushi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Al Balushi is looking to score with low kicks.
Pellegrini looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pellegrini clinches up with Al Balushi and pushes him back against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Al Balushi.
Al Balushi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Al Balushi lands with a slapping head kick.
Al Balushi walks into a straight right hand from Pellegrini.
Pellegrini misses with a hook
and Al Balushi counters with a straight right hand.
Pellegrini takes a swing at Al Balushi's ribcage but misses.
A little feinted left hand from Al Balushi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pellegrini misses with a kick to the body.
Pellegrini throws a hook but Al Balushi blocks it.
Al Balushi just misses with a punch to the body.
Pellegrini misses with a body punch
and Al Balushi counters with a leg kick.
Pellegrini tries to close the distance and clinch up but Al Balushi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Al Balushi half committed to a counter leg kick.
A low kick from Pellegrini is predictable there
and Al Balushi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
An inside leg kick from Pellegrini misses.
Al Balushi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Pellegrini looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Pellegrini throws a leg kick but Al Balushi moved away.
Pellegrini throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Al Balushi counters with a nice body kick.
Pellegrini throws a lazy uppercut
and Al Balushi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Al Balushi.
Pellegrini letting Al Balushi take a breather here.
Al Balushi pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Pellegrini.
Al Balushi misses with some punches.
Al Balushi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Al Balushi lands a shoulder strike.
Al Balushi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pellegrini backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Al Balushi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Pellegrini backwards.
Pellegrini avoiding damage as Al Balushi throws knees to the body.
Al Balushi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Al Balushi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Al Balushi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Al Balushi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Pellegrini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Al Balushi lands a head shot.
Pellegrini scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Pellegrini throws a shot from downtown. Al Balushi moves away and avoids it.
Pellegrini misses with a jab to the body
and Al Balushi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Zaid Al Balushi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
A bone on bone clash there as Al Balushi blocks the leg kick.
Pellegrini misses with a shot to the body
and Al Balushi counters with an inside leg kick.
Pellegrini throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pellegrini connects with a body shot that sends Al Balushi's belly button to the back.
Al Balushi swats away the attempt to clinch by Pellegrini.
Al Balushi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Al Balushi throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Pellegrini misses its intended target.
Al Balushi quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Pellegrini rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Al Balushi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Pellegrini lands a knee to the body.
Al Balushi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Pellegrini throws a knee to the head but misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Balushi managing to block the knees to the body from Pellegrini.
Al Balushi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Pellegrini backwards.
Zaid Al Balushi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Pellegrini throws a punch but it's blocked by Al Balushi.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Al Balushi.
It looks like Vinnie Pellegrini has been cut.
Pellegrini's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Pellegrini looking to throw knees to the head but Al Balushi is blocking nicely.
Pellegrini tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Al Balushi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pellegrini can do to turn this around?
Al Balushi stalling.
Al Balushi taking a breather.
Al Balushi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pellegrini is defending well for now.
Al Balushi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pellegrini is defending well for now.
Pellegrini breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Al Balushi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Al Balushi keeps Pellegrini at a distance using the push kick.
Pellegrini slips under a jab from Al Balushi.
Pellegrini misses with a straight left.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi slips under a jab.
Pellegrini will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Pellegrini throws a body shot but no joy.
Al Balushi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Pellegrini just manages to avoid it.
The crowd cheers as Al Balushi lands an impressive looking overhand right. Pellegrini doesn't seem phased though.
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!
Al Balushi checks a leg kick nicely.
Al Balushi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Pellegrini lands a nice looking body shot.
Pellegrini throws a leg kick which misses Al Balushi's front leg but catches the back leg as Al Balushi tries to avoid it.
Pellegrini pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Al Balushi was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Al Balushi slips a straight right by Pellegrini.
Al Balushi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Al Balushi avoids a punch combination nicely.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pellegrini lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Pellegrini throws a leg kick that is checked
and Al Balushi counters with a nice kick to the body.
Al Balushi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Al Balushi scores with a shot to the body.
Pellegrini lands a leg kick that knocks Al Balushi off balance momentarily.
Pellegrini looks to land a combination. Al Balushi sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
It looks like Zaid Al Balushi has been cut.
Nice jab there from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pellegrini throws out the jab.
That kick from Al Balushi tenderised Pellegrini's leg. Pellegrini is trying to keep his angry face on.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pellegrini throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
letting Al Balushi counter with a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pellegrini wants to land a leg kick but Al Balushi is out of range.
Al Balushi checks the leg kick.
Al Balushi throwing a counter right hand but Pellegrini manages to avoid it.
Al Balushi pushes Pellegrini away with a front kick.
Pellegrini throws a sloppy head kick and Al Balushi moves out of range easily.
Al Balushi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pellegrini. Al Balushi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zaid Al Balushi is winning the standup battle so far.
Pellegrini connects with an inside leg kick.
Al Balushi throws a chopping leg kick but Pellegrini manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Pellegrini misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A low kick from Pellegrini is predictable there
and Al Balushi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
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 Zaid Al Balushi will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Pellegrini looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Balushi is just out of range.
Pellegrini on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Pellegrini 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.
Al Balushi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Al Balushi misses with a jab to the body
and Pellegrini counters with a nice low kick that buckles Al Balushi's knee momentarily.
Al Balushi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pellegrini lands a right hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pellegrini. Al Balushi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Al Balushi tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Pellegrini manages to circle out of the way.
Al Balushi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Balushi moves out of range of the strikes.
As Pellegrini backs away, Al Balushi returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Pellegrini loads up on a big right hand but Al Balushi slips the punch.
Pellegrini throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Al Balushi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Pellegrini fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Balushi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Al Balushi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Pellegrini.
Pellegrini takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Al Balushi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pellegrini misses with a body punch
and Al Balushi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Al Balushi darts in and clinches Pellegrini up against the cage.
Pellegrini tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Al Balushi avoids it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Al Balushi.
A head punch on the inside from Al Balushi fails to land.
Al Balushi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Al Balushi throws an elbow but it misses.
Al Balushi misses with a knee strike.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Al Balushi obliges.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Balushi misses with an elbow over the top.
A body shot lands from Pellegrini.
Pellegrini's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Pellegrini tries a body shot but Al Balushi blocks it.
Al Balushi lands with a right to the head.
Al Balushi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pellegrini digs a right hand into Al Balushi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Al Balushi's gas tank.
Pellegrini struggles to land a body shot inside as Al Balushi controls his hands.
Knees in the clinch landing for Al Balushi.
Pellegrini misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Al Balushi.
Pellegrini's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Pellegrini on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pellegrini is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Al Balushi is defending well for now.
Al Balushi tries a body shot but Pellegrini blocks it.
Al Balushi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Vinnie Pellegrini has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pellegrini lands a hook to the side of the head.
Al Balushi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Al Balushi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Al Balushi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pellegrini tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Balushi's elbow.
Pellegrini has thrown a lot of knees so far in this fight and we're lead to believe that's something he's been working on the gym prior to this fight.
Pellegrini tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Al Balushi slowing the pace effectively.
Al Balushi effectively controlling the action here.
Al Balushi gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Al Balushi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pellegrini blocks a body shot from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi lands a body punch.
Al Balushi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pellegrini has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pellegrini.
Al Balushi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Al Balushi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pellegrini effectively controlling the action here.
Al Balushi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pellegrini struggles to land a body shot inside as Al Balushi controls his hands.
Pellegrini with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Al Balushi lands an elbow inside that Pellegrini shrugs off.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pellegrini looking to throw knees to the head but Al Balushi is blocking nicely.
Al Balushi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pellegrini with a knee to the head.
Pellegrini on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pellegrini prevents a body shot from Al Balushi.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Pellegrini.
Pellegrini stalling in the clinch but Al Balushi improves position.
Al Balushi unloads a knee to the mid-section. Pellegrini lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Pellegrini takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pellegrini tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Al Balushi avoids it.
Pellegrini manages to break the clinch.
Pellegrini tries to work over Al Balushi's front leg with a kick but Al Balushi checks it.
Al Balushi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Pellegrini walks into a left hand.
Pellegrini scoring well with a low kick there.
Zaid Al Balushi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Al Balushi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that's the end of the fight!
Zaid Al Balushi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Al Balushi 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zaid Al Balushi!
Our winner, Zaid Al Balushi, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
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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
62% |
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