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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bo Duran (ranked 5 p4p, 20 weight class) and Masa Saitoh (ranked 1 p4p, 5 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!
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| 190 cm
29
210
19 - 2 - 0 |
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182 cm
30
205
24 - 8 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bo Duran!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Saitoh!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Emerson Jorge and Felipe Paraventi.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Saitoh misses its intended target.
Duran misses with a lunging right hand
and Saitoh counters with a stiff right hand.
Saitoh misses with an uppercut.
Saitoh misses the shot to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Duran on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Saitoh closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Duran to the mat! Duran manages to get full guard.
Saitoh is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duran not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Saitoh looking to sit in guard and control but Duran gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Duran lands a couple of elbows.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Duran content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Duran trying to control the position from guard on top but Saitoh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Duran loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Duran stopping the sweep attempt from Saitoh.
Saitoh pulls Duran in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Duran's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Saitoh looking to hit a scissor sweep but Duran is one step ahead there.
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.
Saitoh keeping moving, preventing Duran from controlling successfully.
Duran landing some decent shots from guard.
Duran working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Duran lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Duran cracks Saitoh with a solid left hand.
Duran throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Saitoh works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saitoh is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Duran has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Duran accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duran postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Duran wants to control from the top but Saitoh keeps moving.
Saitoh working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Duran.
Saitoh is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Duran wants to control from the top but Saitoh keeps moving.
Duran stopping the sweep attempt from Saitoh.
Duran throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Saitoh is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Duran throws a chopping leg kick but Saitoh manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Saitoh misses with an uppercut.
Duran uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Saitoh.
Saitoh takes a swing at Duran's ribcage but misses.
Duran throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Saitoh looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Duran throws a body punch but Saitoh moves out of range.
Saitoh keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Duran.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saitoh fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bo Duran is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saitoh misses the body punch
and Duran counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Bo Duran will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Saitoh throws a body shot but no joy.
Duran was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
It looks like Masa Saitoh has been cut.
Saitoh avoids the body shot from Duran.
It seemed like Saitoh was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice shot by Saitoh.
Duran swings widly with a right hand
letting Saitoh counter with a right hand.
Saitoh 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.
Saitoh thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duran throws a lazy uppercut
and Saitoh counters with a left to the body.
Duran pulls out of a head kick attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Duran misses with a straight right.
Saitoh closes this distance looking for a takedown but Duran circles away.
Saitoh keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Duran.
Saitoh lands a slapping body shot.
Duran waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Saitoh.
Duran waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Saitoh.
Saitoh shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Saitoh trying to control but Duran is working from the bottom.
Saitoh scoring with punches to the head and body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duran keeping moving, preventing Saitoh from controlling successfully.
Saitoh with a nice head shot there.
Duran looking to control.
Saitoh preventing the sweep.
Saitoh works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Saitoh is looking to take a break and control but Duran is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Saitoh wants to pass the guard but Duran is defending well.
Saitoh looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duran is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Saitoh's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Saitoh's back!
I would not like to be Saitoh right now.
Duran is punishing Saitoh with strikes - can he finish him?!
Saitoh covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Duran is hanging on to Saitoh's back as he tries to escape.
Saitoh covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Saitoh trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Saitoh breaks Duran's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Saitoh trying to control the position from guard on top but Duran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Duran wants to sweep but no luck.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh passes Duran's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Saitoh thows a huge punch but Duran dodges it nicely.
Duran regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Saitoh.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saitoh trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Saitoh throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saitoh is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Saitoh wants to pass the guard but Duran is keeping the position.
Duran not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Duran pulls Saitoh in close to his closed guard and prevents Saitoh from doing any damage or advancing position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Masa Saitoh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Masa Saitoh's cut.
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.
Duran misses with an uppercut
and Saitoh counters with a right hand to the body.
Saitoh fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Saitoh connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Saitoh blocks the body kick.
Saitoh feints the counter takedown.
Duran listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Saitoh sizes up Duran with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saitoh lands with a cross.
A swing and a miss from Duran.
Saitoh now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
We've been told by Duran's head coaches at FIGHT FOUNDERS (CA) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saitoh dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Duran takes one on the button.
Duran with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A jab lands there for Duran.
Duran fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Saitoh checks it well.
Good exchange - Duran coming out on top.
Saitoh tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Duran was well out of range. Poor timing from Saitoh.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duran uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saitoh.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Saitoh lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Duran at a distance.
Duran scores with a body shot.
Masa Saitoh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Duran rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Saitoh cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Duran misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saitoh swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A jab from Duran misses.
Saitoh swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Saitoh shoots and misses
and Duran counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Saitoh looks to score with a jab to the body but Duran is just out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Duran.
Duran ducks under a wild hook from Saitoh.
Decent striking displayed by Duran there.
That has opened up Masa Saitoh's cut even more.
Saitoh throws a body shot but no joy.
As Saitoh backs away, Duran returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A clash of legs there as Saitoh blocks the low kick.
Saitoh misses with a left hand
letting Duran counter with a right hand.
Duran throws a shot to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duran lands a big uppercut and Saitoh crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Saitoh looks OK. Duran waves Saitoh back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saitoh misses with a takedown attempt - Duran sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Saitoh misses with a hook. Duran ducked under it nicely.
Saitoh darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Saitoh smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Duran looks to land a left hand but Saitoh moved out of range nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Bo Duran clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Masa Saitoh's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Saitoh just misses with a punch to the body.
Duran uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saitoh.
Saitoh closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Saitoh lands in his opponent's guard.
Saitoh working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Duran's head.
Saitoh with a nice head shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saitoh trying to control the position from guard on top but Duran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Duran trying to control the position.
Saitoh controls from within his opponent's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saitoh trying to control the position from guard on top but Duran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saitoh has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Duran pulls Saitoh in close to prevent any damage.
Saitoh distracts Duran with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Saitoh scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Saitoh trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Duran being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saitoh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Duran was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Saitoh steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Duran.
Some bone on bone action there as Saitoh checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
And Saitoh tries to counter it with a takedown but Duran pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Saitoh punishes Duran's body with a nice straight punch.
Saitoh throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Duran was covering up waiting for the punch and Saitoh finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Duran being controlled here, momentarily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Duran not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Saitoh is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Duran 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.
Duran utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Saitoh content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Saitoh trying to control the position from guard on top but Duran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Duran missing with a left hand there. Saitoh was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Duran has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Duran there as he acknowledges the shot.
Saitoh fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Duran manages to avoid it.
Saitoh misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Duran.
Duran is looking to counter punch.
Saitoh jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Duran slips a straight right by Saitoh.
A counter left hand to the body from Duran misses its target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Masa Saitoh dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Masa Saitoh's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Saitoh gets a takedown into half guard.
Saitoh seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Duran does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Saitoh takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Saitoh trying to mount his opponent but Duran defends it.
Saitoh not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Duran manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Saitoh sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Duran utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Duran keeping moving, preventing Saitoh from controlling successfully.
Saitoh throwing strikes from guard but Duran blocks nicely.
Saitoh passes Duran's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Saitoh working Duran over with strikes.
Saitoh landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Duran works his way to full guard. Good work.
Saitoh loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
That's two 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.
Saitoh scoring with some ground and pound.
Duran has Saitoh pulled in close to control his posture.
Duran looking for a sweep. Not yet Duran, not yet.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A shot to the liver by Saitoh. Beautiful body shot.
Duran throws a sloppy body shot
and Saitoh counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Saitoh ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Saitoh fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saitoh tests Duran's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Saitoh shoots in but no luck this time.
Duran's corner calls for a 1-2. Duran obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Duran throws a looping overhand right but Saitoh ducks down to avoid it.
It seemed like Saitoh was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Saitoh throws a shot from downtown. Duran moves away and avoids it.
Saitoh misses the shot to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duran comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Saitoh lands a jab to Duran's midsection.
Nice defenses there by Duran.
Duran throws a right hand that misses
and Saitoh counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Duran thinking.
Saitoh connects with a body shot that sends Duran's belly button to the back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saitoh fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Duran moves away from the strike by Saitoh.
An attempted straight right counter from Duran misses the target.
And that's the end of the fight!
Masa Saitoh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Saitoh has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 47:48
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 47:48
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 47:48
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masa Saitoh!
Masa Saitoh is the new light heavyweight champion!
A relieved looking Masa Saitoh thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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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
37% |
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