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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rodri Yairguez (ranked 869 p4p, 630 weight class) and Mamed Khalidovic (ranked 75 p4p, 55 weight class). Yairguez comes to the cage accompanied by El Corrido De Chihuahua - Los Rieleros Del Norte. Khalidovic comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Зима-мама 25/17 kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!
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| 173 cm
27
150
11 - 9 - 1 |
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183 cm
37
156
28 - 16 - 2 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Rodri Yairguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Mamed Khalidovic!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Aafke Stam and Saam Ante.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khalidovic getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Khalidovic looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Yairguez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Khalidovic tries to avoid it but Yairguez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Khalidovic to the ground. Khalidovic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Khalidovic thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Yairguez if he has to take too many more of those.
Khalidovic moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Yairguez has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Yairguez scores with a shot to the body.
Khalidovic fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Yairguez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Khalidovic 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 Yairguez has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Yairguez and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Khalidovic takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Khalidovic lands a jab to the nose.
Yairguez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yairguez seems to be working for a kimura but Khalidovic defends the submission attempt.
Yairguez working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Yairguez wants to take a breather but Khalidovic is having none of it.
Khalidovic is trying to control but can't.
Yairguez is looking to advance position but Khalidovic won't allow it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yairguez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Khalidovic tries to roll over but Yairguez keeps him under control.
Yairguez trying to control from Khalidovic's half guard. Khalidovic has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Khalidovic keeping full guard, as Yairguez tries to pass.
Khalidovic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Khalidovic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Yairguez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
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.
Khalidovic is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Khalidovic 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Khalidovic working for a triangle but Yairguez defends it easily.
Yairguez looking to sit in guard and control but Khalidovic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Khalidovic looking to sit in guard and control but Yairguez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yairguez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Khalidovic 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.
Khalidovic trying to keep a closed guard but Yairguez is proving a slippery customer.
Khalidovic is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Yairguez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Khalidovic is keeping the position for now.
Yairguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Khalidovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Khalidovic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
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.
Yairguez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Khalidovic has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Yairguez has managed to get both his arms back between Khalidovic's legs - danger averted.
Yairguez wants to control from the top but Khalidovic keeps moving.
Yairguez postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Khalidovic is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Yairguez, into his guard.
Khalidovic trying to control but Yairguez is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yairguez pulls Khalidovic in to control the position.
Khalidovic preventing the sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Mamed Khalidovic will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
A telegraphed right hand from Yairguez misses the target.
Khalidovic throws a jab when Yairguez was well out of range.
Yairguez appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Khalidovic swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Yairguez.
Yairguez throws a body punch but Khalidovic moves out of range.
Yairguez misses the shot to the body.
Khalidovic lands a nice looking body kick.
Mamed Khalidovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yairguez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yairguez throws a low kick but Khalidovic avoids it.
Yairguez tries a head kick but it misses.
Yairguez looks to throw the jab but Khalidovic is out of range.
Yairguez gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Khalidovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Khalidovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Yairguez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yairguez moves out of range of the strikes.
Yairguez misses with a takedown attempt - Khalidovic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A leg kick checked by Yairguez.
Khalidovic defending well as Yairguez loads up on a big left hand.
Yairguez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Yairguez lands a jab to Khalidovic's midsection.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidovic lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Yairguez ducks under a wild hook from Khalidovic.
Yairguez lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Yairguez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yairguez's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Khalidovic connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Yairguez scrambles back to his feet.
A low kick from Khalidovic is predictable there
so Yairguez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Khalidovic is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Yairguez content to stall in guard here.
Yairguez preventing the sweep.
Yairguez looking to pass the guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic keeping moving, preventing Yairguez from controlling successfully.
Yairguez looking to sit in guard and control but Khalidovic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yairguez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Khalidovic is stalling in the full guard.
Khalidovic is pushing down on Yairguez's leg trying to pass to half guard. Yairguez is fighting to maintain full guard but Khalidovic has managed to sneak the leg through.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yairguez trying to hold on to Khalidovic's head to control him but Khalidovic postures up.
Yairguez controlling the position for now.
Khalidovic is trying a forearm choke� I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Khalidovic seems to be working for a kimura but Yairguez defends the submission attempt.
Yairguez is trying to get back to full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Khalidovic with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Khalidovic is trying a forearm choke� I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Yairguez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Khalidovic is working away from the top position though.
Khalidovic seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yairguez regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Mamed Khalidovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Yairguez tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mamed Khalidovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Khalidovic has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Yairguez is looking to clinch.
It seemed like Khalidovic was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Yairguez moves away from the strike by Khalidovic.
Yairguez appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Khalidovic misses with an uppercut.
Yairguez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Khalidovic has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
It looks like Mamed Khalidovic has been cut.
Yairguez cracks Khalidovic with an open hand slap.
Khalidovic connects with a solid leg kick.
Khalidovic throws out a loose jab but Yairguez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yairguez slips under a jab from Khalidovic.
Nice defenses there by Khalidovic.
Khalidovic thuds a left hand into Yairguez's body.
Khalidovic throws a low kick but it's checked well by Yairguez.
Yairguez moves into the clinch.
Yairguez lands with a short head shot on the inside.
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!
Yairguez has had enough of the clinch but Khalidovic keeps him there for the moment.
Yairguez is trying to break the clinch but Khalidovic has him pressed against the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yairguez softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Yairguez misses with a hook from the clinch.
Yairguez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Khalidovic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Yairguezs head.
Yairguez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Khalidovic has him pressed against the cage.
Yairguez is trying to drag Khalidovic to the mat but Khalidovic just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Khalidovic lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Khalidovic blocks an elbow strike from Yairguez.
Rodri Yairguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yairguez lands an elbow that stopped Khalidovic in his tracks for a moment.
Yairguez wants a takedown.
Yairguez throws a punch but it's blocked by Khalidovic.
Yairguez lands an elbow that stopped Khalidovic in his tracks for a moment.
Yairguez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Yairguez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Khalidovic managing to block the knees to the body from Yairguez.
Yairguez tries for a takedown but Khalidovic manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodri Yairguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yairguez works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Yairguez goes for a takedown attempt but Khalidovic pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yairguez takes a swing at Khalidovic's ribcage but misses.
Yairguez throws a right hand that Khalidovic ducks under and follows up with a left that Khalidovic also avoids with ease.
Yairguez misses with a wild body shot.
Khalidovic dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Yairguez. That did some damage!
A jab lands there for Yairguez.
Khalidovic with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Khalidovic connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Khalidovic. That's going to slow Yairguez down.
Good leg kick by Khalidovic.
Khalidovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Khalidovic thuds his right hand into Yairguez's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Yairguez fails with a takedown attempt.
Khalidovic lands a nice hook to Yairguez's body. Yairguez takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Yairguez loads up on a big right hand but Khalidovic slips the punch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yairguez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Khalidovic.
Yairguez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Khalidovic fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
That kick from Khalidovic tenderised Yairguez's leg. Yairguez is trying to keep his angry face on.
Yairguez takes one to the chin there.
Khalidovic tries to land a front kick but Yairguez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mamed Khalidovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yairguez is looking to chop away at Khalidovic's legs.
A cross from Khalidovic lands.
Khalidovic lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Khalidovic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yairguez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Khalidovic to score with a decent uppercut.
Yairguez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Yairguez misses with a head kick.
Khalidovic blocks a jab.
Khalidovic lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Khalidovic on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Khalidovic takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Khalidovic with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mamed Khalidovic.
I've got Khalidovic 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mamed Khalidovic!
A very excited looking Mamed Khalidovic made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Rodri Yairguez was interviewed post fight and said 'A loss is a good learning experience if you take it that way, but it also isn't a win. Everybody loses eventually.'.
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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
45% |
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