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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Merik Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rufus Soderberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hunt comes to the cage accompanied by Comfortably Numb. Rufus Soderberg has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 175 cm
30
170 lbs
25 - 12 - 0 |
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179 cm
29
186 lbs
16 - 3 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
25 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Merik Hunt!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rufus Soderberg!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Sam Margolis and Colin Fotheringham.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soderberg is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hunt.
Soderberg stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Soderberg wants it to stay on the feet.
Hunt throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hunt misses with a leg kick.
Soderberg takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A punch lands to the side of Hunt 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hunt tries to bum rush Soderberg with a series of wild strikes but Soderberg uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hunt misses with a kick to the body.
Hunt misses with a low kick as Soderberg jumps back.
Hunt loads up on a big right hand but Soderberg slips the punch.
Hunt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice shot by Soderberg.
Hunt throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Soderberg tests Hunt's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hunt misses the jab.
Good shot there by Soderberg.
Hunt will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hunt moves out of range of the strikes.
Soderberg staying out of range there.
Soderberg lands with a nice body punch.
Soderberg lands a jab to the nose.
A big right from Hunt misses.
Good shot there by Hunt.
Hunt looks for a takedown but Soderberg sprawls well.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Soderberg checks a leg kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hunt.
Hunt gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Soderberg.
Hunt takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hunt pushes Soderberg up against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short uppercut from Soderberg.
Hunt prevents the takedown attempt.
Soderberg tries to break the clinch but Hunt is controlling the position.
Hunt fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Soderberg has Hunt pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hunt manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hunt has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Soderberg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hunt scores with a shot to the side of Soderberg's head.
Hunt lands with a short head shot on the inside.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt can't find room to land a body shot as Soderberg controls the action.
Soderberg tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Merik Hunt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rufus Soderberg.
Hunt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A big left from Hunt misses.
Soderberg takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hunt needs to keep his hands up - Soderberg had a free shot at his head there.
Soderberg shoots in looking for a takedown but Hunt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Soderberg's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hunt with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Soderberg uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hunt.
Hunt throws a push kick but Soderberg slaps the foot to one side.
Soderberg throws a body punch but Hunt moves out of range.
Hunt misses the jab.
Soderberg slips under a jab from Hunt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg moves out of range as Hunt strikes.
Hunt throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hunt throws a leg kick but Soderberg sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Soderberg connects with a right hand. Hunt shakes it off.
Hunt takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Soderberg misses with a hook. Hunt ducked under it nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hunt changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hunt loads up on a big right hand but Soderberg slips the punch.
Soderberg with a nice cross.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunt feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hunt wants to control from the top but Soderberg keeps moving.
Soderberg is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Merik Hunt dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Hunt misses with an uppercut. Soderberg saw that one coming.
Soderberg 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.
Soderberg checks a leg kick.
Hunt takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Soderberg throws the left hand but Hunt avoids the punch easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hunt.
Soderberg checks the leg kick.
Hunt connects with the punch.
Soderberg throws an overhand right that lands on Hunt's shoulder, as Hunt tries to avoid the shot.
Soderberg swats away the attempt to clinch by Hunt.
Hunt gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Soderberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Soderberg won't allow Hunt to sweep him here.
Hunt preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Soderberg looking to sit in guard and control but Hunt gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Soderberg is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hunt is pushing down on Soderberg's leg trying to pass to half guard. Soderberg is fighting to maintain full guard but Hunt has managed to sneak the leg through.
Soderberg trying to control from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt trying to control from half guard but Soderberg is working away.
The fighters are battling for position here. Soderberg manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Soderberg is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hunt is aware though and is defending well.
Hunt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Soderberg trying to control the position here.
Hunt landing with the ground and pound.
Hunt with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Soderberg wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hunt scoring with punches to the head and body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt cracks Soderberg with a solid left hand.
Hunt landing with the ground and pound.
Soderberg looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hunt is one step ahead there.
Hunt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hunt trying to control but Soderberg is working from the bottom.
Soderberg is trying to control the position but Hunt postures up.
Hunt lands a couple of elbows.
Hunt throws an elbow that misses. Soderberg uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hunt's guard. Nice move by Soderberg!
Soderberg is looking to work some ground and pound but Hunt has wrist control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Soderberg with a flurry of punches that miss.
Soderberg wants to control from the top but Hunt keeps moving.
Hunt manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunt lands a big elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hunt prevents Soderberg from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Merik Hunt dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Soderberg misses with a wild body shot.
Soderberg throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A cross from Soderberg lands.
Hunt misses the jab.
Hunt uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Soderberg blocks a low kick nicely.
Soderberg pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Soderberg dips to his left and cracks Hunt with an uppercut!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Soderberg.
Merik Hunt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Soderberg.
Soderberg leaves Hunt with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt throws the left hand but Soderberg avoids the punch easily.
Hunt looks to score with a jab to the body but Soderberg is just out of range.
Soderberg ducks under a wild hook from Hunt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Soderberg, as that shot connected.
Soderberg checks the leg kick nicely there.
Soderberg blocks a low kick nicely.
Hunt throws out a leg kick but Soderberg moves out of range and Hunt only half commits.
Soderberg dives in and grabs Hunt's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hunt pushes down on Soderberg's head and hops out.
Merik Hunt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rufus Soderberg.
Hunt fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Merik Hunt is winning the standup battle so far.
Hunt displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt just misses with a punch to the body.
Hunt shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Soderberg eats them both and turns towards Hunt to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Hunt chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Excellent takedown into side control there by Hunt.
Hunt throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Hunt creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Hunt working the ground and pound from side control.
Soderberg is looking to regain half guard here but Hunt keeps moving and retains side control.
Hunt postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Hunt landing a few strikes.
Hunt is looking to take a break and control but Soderberg is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Soderberg is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Soderberg tries to roll over but Hunt keeps him under control.
Merik Hunt overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Soderberg trying to control here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt is trying to control. Soderberg wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hunt lands with a punch from half guard.
Hunt tries to pass the half guard into mount. Soderberg knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hunt throwing shots but Soderberg is blocking nicely.
Hunt trying to control the action but Soderberg is working from the bottom.
Hunt lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunt is looking to take a break and control but Soderberg is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Merik Hunt clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Hunt darts in and clinches Soderberg up against the cage.
Soderberg lands a shoulder strike.
Soderberg wants a takedown.
Soderberg manages to break the clinch.
Hunt finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Soderberg checks a low kick from Hunt.
Hunt throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hunt has closed the distance and engaged Soderberg in a clinch.
Hunt stops a takedown attempt from Soderberg.
Soderberg has Hunt pressed against the cage, preventing Hunt from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Soderberg tries to pull guard but Hunt won't allow it.
Merik Hunt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rufus Soderberg.
Soderberg tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Hunt.
Hunt swings wildly with an uppercut but Soderberg uses good head movement to avoid it.
A frustrated look appears on Hunt's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Soderberg pulls guard.
Soderberg 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.
Hunt trying to control the position from guard on top but Soderberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Soderberg trying to keep a closed guard but Hunt is proving a slippery customer.
Hunt postures up in Soderberg's guard and throws a big left but Soderberg blocks it.
Soderberg working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hunt doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hunt manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunt looking to pass the guard.
Soderberg lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hunt!
Soderberg unloads with some shots from mount but Hunt bucks and avoids them well.
Soderberg avoids the attempt from Hunt to control.
Hunt is squirming around, avoiding Soderberg's attempts to control the action.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Hunt is squirming around, avoiding Soderberg's attempts to control the action.
Soderberg connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Soderberg trying to control but Hunt is having none of it.
Soderberg with shots to the head and body - Hunt looks very uncomfortable down there.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg trying to control but Hunt is having none of it.
Soderberg pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Soderberg throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Soderberg trying to control but Hunt is having none of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Soderberg is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Hunt can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Rufus Soderberg dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Soderberg dives in and grabs Hunt's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hunt pushes down on Soderberg's head and hops out.
Hunt misses with a two punch combination.
Soderberg has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hunt.
Hunt has his takedown stuffed
and Soderberg counters with a shoot takedown. Hunt fights it but they end up in guard.
Soderberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Soderberg lands a couple of elbows.
Soderberg passes Hunt's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Soderberg looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Soderberg keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Soderberg thows a huge punch but Hunt dodges it nicely.
Hunt wants to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from Soderberg.
Soderberg keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg stalling away here and it's allowed Hunt to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Soderberg trying to control but Hunt is working from the bottom.
The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rufus Soderberg.
Soderberg misses with a wild body shot.
Hunt misses with a body kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Soderberg.
Hunt lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hunt smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Soderberg cracks Hunt with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hunt fails to land the takedown.
Hunt throws a body kick that misses
and Soderberg counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Soderberg looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Soderberg lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Soderberg thows a huge punch but Hunt dodges it nicely.
Hunt wants to improve his position but Soderberg is controlling well.
Well, if Soderberg is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Rufus Soderberg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunt blocking the ground and pound attempt from Soderberg.
And that's the end of the fight!
Rufus Soderberg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hunt has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 48:47
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 48:47
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Merik Hunt!
Merik Hunt retains his welterweight title!
A victorious Merik Hunt thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
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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
88% |
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