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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ray White (ranked 910 p4p, 421 weight class) and Zigor Azarola (ranked 85 p4p, 38 weight class). White's entrance music is HonestKey- Change. A fine choice. Azarola has chosen Million Shattered Swords by Witchrot as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 164 cm
36
141
17 - 12 - 1 |
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160 cm
30
137
22 - 13 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Ray White!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zigor Azarola!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and Robert Douchet.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab by White.
White misses with a body shot.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
White connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Azarola throws an uppercut from half a mile away. White sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Decent striking displayed by Azarola there.
White misses with a body shot.
White throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azarola slips a jab from White.
Azarola throws a hook but White avoids it easily.
White feinted with a counter takedown.
We've been informed that Azarola has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
That's one minute gone in the round.
White looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Azarola wants to improve his position but White is controlling well.
Azarola is staying active underneath White, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
White thows a huge punch but Azarola dodges it nicely.
Azarola has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. White is working away from the top position though.
White is trying to control. Azarola wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
White throwing shots but Azarola is blocking nicely.
White is trying to control. Azarola wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Azarola trying to hold on to White's head to control him but White postures up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
White is trying to work for a kimura but Azarola is defending well.
White missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
White has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Azarola wants to get back to full guard.
Azarola keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
White passes to side control.
White in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Azarola takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
White is looking to take a break and control but Azarola is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
White working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Azarola wants to control but White postures up.
White takes a little break here. Azarola wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
White wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Azarola, who protects the arm well.
Azarola tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but White wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
White is looking to take a break and control but Azarola is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
White with the ground and pound but Azarola regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
White is nestled in close to Azarola, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
White scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
White controlling the action here.
White is trying to control. Azarola wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Azarola is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. White connects with a nice short shot to Azarola's temple.
White missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
White definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Azarola trying to hold on to White's head to control him but White postures up.
Azarola avoiding damage under a succession of punches from White.
White is looking to take a break and control but Azarola is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Azarola wants to get back to full guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
White is looking to take a break and control but Azarola is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Azarola takes one on the button.
Azarola takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Azarola keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Azarola ducks under a wild hook from White.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Azarola! But no joy.
White throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts White, as that shot connected.
A looping hook to the body misses from White. Azarola does a little dance to reset his feet.
Azarola throws a fast counter high kick but White manages to duck under it in time.
Azarola slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
White moves out of range as Azarola strikes.
White is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Azarola.
A swing and a miss from Azarola.
Azarola throws a hook but White blocks it.
White moves out of range of the strikes.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Azarola misses with a looping left.
Azarola uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from White.
Azarola throws out a counter right but White avoids it with no problem.
Azarola misses with a straight right.
White misses with a hook.
A little jabbing left from Azarola on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Azarola might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Azarola defending well as White loads up on a big left hand.
A big left from White misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Azarola! But no joy.
Nice defenses there by Azarola.
It seemed like Azarola was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
White throws a big shot that misses.
A swing and a miss from White.
White wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
White manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Azarola on his heels. He'll look to pass Azarola's guard now, I'm sure.
Azarola keeping moving, preventing White from controlling successfully.
White advances to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
White trying to control the action but Azarola is working from the bottom.
Azarola tries to get to full guard but White has control of the leg.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Ray White dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
White pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
White throws a hook but Azarola avoids it easily.
White looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
White throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
White trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Azarola manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
White looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Azarola passes into side control.
Azarola controlling from side mount.
That's one minute gone in the round.
White wants to control but Azarola postures up.
White manages to get back to half guard.
White trying to control here.
White is trying to control but Azarola manages to pass to mount!
Azarola content just to control the position here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
White is trying desperately to improve position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
White tries to hold on but Azarola postures up.
White is desperately trying to improve his position but Azarola has a good base and remains in mount.
White is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
White working to try and regain half guard.
Azarola controlling the pace for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
White tries to get back to half guard but can't.
White is working hard here to advance position.
White regains half guard.
White trying to control here.
Ray White overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
White looking for submissions off his back.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
White wants to get back to full guard.
Azarola is trying to control. White wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
White misses with a straight right.
Azarola throws out a counter right but White avoids it with no problem.
A jab lands there for Azarola.
Ray White is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice defenses there by White.
White tries to score a power double leg takedown but Azarola sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten White somewhat.
Azarola throws a fast counter high kick but White manages to duck under it in time.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Azarola catches White with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
White throws a jab when Azarola was well out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for White. That snapped Azarola's head back.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Azarola fails to land with a series of punches.
White throws a body punch but Azarola moves out of range.
Azarola throws out a counter right but White avoids it with no problem.
Azarola ducks under a wild hook from White.
White ducks under a wild hook from Azarola.
White changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Zigor Azarola is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
White takes a swing at Azarola's ribcage but misses.
White scores with a sloppy right hand. Azarola should have avoided that one.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Azarola!
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Azarola with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling White to score with a decent uppercut.
White lands with a right hand.
Azarola misses with a hook. White ducked under it nicely.
White bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
White changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Good standup being displayed there by Azarola as he connects with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
White shoots in but Azarola avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Azarola throws a lazy head kick
and White counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Azarola manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. White manages to get himself to full guard.
White can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Azarola controls the pace.
White looking for a sweep. Not yet White, not yet.
Azarola is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
White escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Azarola gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Azarola is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Zigor Azarola showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! White's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
White scores with a nice head shot.
White shoots in but no luck this time.
Azarola connects with the punch.
A slow jab from Azarola misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Azarola throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
White swings for the body but Azarola moves out of range.
Azarola looks like he wants to counter punch here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Azarola jabbing away but nothing is landing.
White throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Azarola was covering up waiting for the punch and White finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Azarola looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
White in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Azarola is on top in guard.
White working a defensive guard here.
White looking for subs off his back but Azarola has passed one foot through into half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
White has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Azarola is working away from the top position though.
White wants to improve his position but Azarola is controlling well.
White wants to control but Azarola is keeping busy.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
White is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Azarola pulls his head out easily.
White tries to roll over but Azarola keeps him under control.
Azarola looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Azarola trying to pass the guard but White defending well.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
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.
White steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Azarola.
Azarola keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from White.
Azarola looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Azarola avoids the body shot from White.
Azarola swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Azarola throws a hook to the side of White's head but White sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
White misses with a body shot.
Azarola takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
White slips a straight right by Azarola.
White feinted with a counter takedown.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
White scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Azarola doesn't seem bothered though.
White has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Azarola finds it's way round the side to connect with White's head.
White throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
White shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Azarola pinned against the cage. Azarola gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Azarola loads up on a big right hand but White slips the punch.
White scores with a punch to the head.
Azarola waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract White.
Azarola lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Azarola lunges at White with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by White's hand.
White's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Azarola connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! White scrambles back to his feet.
Azarola clobbers White with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - White throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Azarola cracks White with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Azarola misses with a lunging right hand
and White counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Azarola!
Azarola sneaks out the side door and pushes White away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
White throws a body punch but Azarola moves out of range.
White looks to score with a jab to the body but Azarola is just out of range.
White misses the jab.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
White listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The fighters circling - Azarola throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Azarola rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
so White counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
White pushes down on Azarola's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Azarola tries to roll over but White keeps him under control.
White has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
White goes for an armbar but he's not got it� Azarola turns into him and now he's in White's guard.
Azarola must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
White is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Azarola sitting in guard here, content to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
White working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Azarola has passed into half guard!
And that's the end of the fight!
Zigor Azarola comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Azarola has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zigor Azarola!
Our winner, Zigor Azarola, 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
33% |
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