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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rob Salek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shimabakurou Imai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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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| 160 cm
22
137 lbs
8 - 17 - 0 |
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165 cm
23
135 lbs
2 - 3 - 0 |
BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin |
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BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed |
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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
8 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Rob Salek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Shimabakurou Imai!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and Colin Fotheringham.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Imai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Imai.
Salek clinches with his opponent.
Imai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Imai blocks an elbow strike from Salek.
Salek scores with a knee to the head.
It looks like Shimabakurou Imai has been cut.
Salek breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salek is looking to clinch.
Imai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Salek was well out of range. Poor timing from Imai.
Salek looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Salek tries to close the distance and clinch up but Imai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Salek ducks right into an uppercut from Imai.
Imai throws a series of strikes that have Salek backpedaling.
Some bone on bone action there as Imai checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Imai misses with the combination.
Imai fails to land with a series of punches.
Imai takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Shimabakurou Imai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Salek shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Imai scores with a jab to the head.
Salek moves into range and clinches up with Imai.
Salek prevents Imai from breaking the clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Imai tries to break the clinch but Salek is controlling the position.
Imai is trying to break the clinch but Salek is controlling him.
Salek tries a knee to the head but Imai blocks it.
Imai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Salek tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Imai wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Salek has him pressed against the cage.
Imai tries to circle away but Salek has him pinned against the cage.
Imai is trying to force a seperation but Salek has the dominant position.
Salek is trying to trip Imai. He has hold of a leg but Imai is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Salek persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Salek decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Imai jabs Salek right on the nose. Salek blinks but takes it well.
Salek wants to clinch up but Imai keeps it at a distance.
Salek walks into a stiff left hand from Imai.
Imai lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Imai misses with a two punch combination.
Imai misses with the combination.
Salek tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Imai was well out of range. Poor timing from Salek.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imai avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Imai 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.
Imai scores with a nice strike.
Imai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Salek fails with an attempt to clinch.
Imai lands a nice shot that snaps Salek's head back.
Salek has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Imai finds it's way round the side to connect with Salek's head.
Imai connects with a nice looking jab.
Imai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
An inside leg kick from Salek misses.
Shimabakurou Imai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Imai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Salek is looking to clinch.
No joy there for Imai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The fight stays on the outside here - Salek looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Salek is looking to land body kicks.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salek throws and low kick but Imai moves out of range easily.
Salek fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Imai sprawls well initially but Salek persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Salek is breathing heavily.
Imai is trying to stand back up but Salek is controlling him
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Salek gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imai lands a nice shot to the body.
Salek avoids a punch combination nicely.
A punch combination from Imai misses.
A jab lands there for Imai.
Imai throws a good cross that connects.
Salek takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Left hook, right uppercut from Imai.
Salek tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Imai scores with a shot to the body.
Salek on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Salek tries to clinch up.
Salek moves in looking to clinch but Imai pushes him off.
Imai misses with a series of wild punches.
Imai scores with a jab to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Rob Salek dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shimabakurou Imai's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Salek doesn't manage to clinch there - Imai circles away.
Imai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Salek wants to clinch.
Imai connects with the punch.
A punch combination from Imai misses.
A nice combination there by Imai.
Salek looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Imai scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Imai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Imai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Imai misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good standup being displayed there by Imai as he connects with a hook.
Salek is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Imai.
Imai moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Imai tries to bum rush Salek with a series of wild strikes but Salek uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Salek swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Imai counters with a left and a right that stings Salek.
Salek takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Salek is looking to clinch.
Salek scores a takedown into full mount!
Salek stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Imai scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Imai 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.
Imai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Imai misses with a double jab.
Imai throws a series of strikes that have Salek backpedaling.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Imai there.
Salek on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Imai swats away the attempt to clinch by Salek.
Imai works over Salek's head and body with a nice combination.
Imai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Salek moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Imai moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Imai stalks Salek and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Salek's face. Salek staggers backwards, shaken.
Imai looks to land a combination but Salek avoids it well.
Salek takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Imai lands a two punch combo.
Salek showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Imai.
Imai defending well as Salek loads up on a big left hand.
Imai lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Salek takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salek takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Imai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Imai misses with the combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Salek looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Imai scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice cross by Imai.
Salek takes one to the chin there.
Imai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Salek takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Imai moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Salek takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Imai misses with a double jab.
That's four 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.
Salek walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Imai scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Salek doesn't seem bothered though.
Salek tries to move into range but Imai moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Imai lands a jab to the head.
Imai looks to land a combination but Salek avoids it well.
Imai is working the combinations to good effect here.
Imai looks to land a combination but Salek avoids it well.
A punch combination from Imai misses.
Salek is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Imai throws a nice looking combination but Salek bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Imai throws a series of punches but Salek avoids them all with ease.
Salek is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Imai.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Imai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Salek circles away quickly and effectively.
Imai lands a two punch combo.
Imai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Salek connects with a solid leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Shimabakurou Imai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shimabakurou Imai's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Imai throws a nice looking combination but Salek bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Imai throws a right hand that Salek ducks under and follows up with a left that Salek also avoids with ease.
Imai ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Salek misses with a double jab
and Imai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Salek dives in and grabs Imai's left leg, looking for a takedown. Imai pushes down on Salek's head and hops out.
Imai scores with a nice head shot.
Imai throws a right and a left that Salek avoids nicely.
Salek wants to clinch up but Imai keeps it at a distance.
Salek is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Imai.
Rob Salek is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Imai uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Salek has time to react.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salek misses with a low kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Imai throws a series of strikes that have Salek backpedaling.
Imai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Imai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Imai lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Salek at a distance.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Imai goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Imai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Imai.
Imai misses with a few strikes there.
Salek takes one to the side of the head.
Imai misses with a series of wild punches.
Imai uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Imai lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Salek on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Imai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Imai misses with a wild combination.
Salek looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Imai lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
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.
Salek is looking to clinch.
Imai bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Salek's head backwards.
Imai lands with a right hand.
Imai works over Salek's head and body with a nice combination.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Imai checks a leg kick.
Imai is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice sprawl there from Imai as Salek shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rob Salek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Imai cracks Salek with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Salek avoids a punch combination nicely.
Salek tries to clinch up.
Imai cracks Salek with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Imai lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Imai lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imai scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Salek throws a head kick but Imai moves out of range.
Imai throws a series of punches but Salek moves out of range.
Imai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Salek moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No joy there for Imai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Imai misses with a wild combination.
Imai lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Salek backs up against the cage.
Imai throws a left and a right that both miss
and Salek counters by moving into the clinch.
Imai has had enough of the clinch but Salek keeps him there for the moment.
Salek prevents Imai from breaking the clinch.
Imai wants to break free but Salek has control.
Imai is trying to force a seperation but Salek has the dominant position.
Salek prevents Imai from breaking the clinch.
Salek is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Imai is trying to break the clinch but Salek is controlling him.
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.
Imai takes an elbow to the temple.
Imai tries to circle away but Salek has him pinned against the cage.
Imai wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Salek trying to control the position but instead, Imai has worked for underhooks and has pushed Salek into the cage.
Imai wants to get back to striking at distance but Salek won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Imai's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Salek keeps control of Imai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Imai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Imai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Salek prevents Imai from breaking the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Imai.
Imai wants to get back to striking at distance but Salek won't allow it.
Salek keeps control of Imai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Imai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Imai takes a knee right on the jaw!
Imai wants to get back to striking at distance but Salek won't allow it.
Imai is trying to break the clinch but Salek is controlling him.
Salek manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that's the end of the fight!
Shimabakurou Imai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Imai 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 James Atkins scores the fight for Shimabakurou Imai!
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight for Shimabakurou Imai!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Shimabakurou Imai!
Shimabakurou Imai wins by unanimous decision!
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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
29% |
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