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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Cronkite (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiruku Matah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cronkite comes to the cage accompanied by Croc song!. Matah is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Walker the Texas Ranger Theme. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 175 cm
25
250 lbs
16 - 6 - 0 |
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180 cm
25
240 lbs
14 - 6 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Good kicks
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Melvin Cronkite!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hiruku Matah!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Chad Campbell and Russell Pearce.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Cronkite with that takedown attempt.
Matah shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Matah.
Cronkite misses with a low kick.
We've been hearing reports that Cronkite has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cronkite tries to score a power double leg takedown but Matah sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cronkite somewhat.
Matah misses with a low kick.
No luck for Cronkite with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Melvin Cronkite. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Matah with that takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cronkite.
Cronkite shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Matah but Matah pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice takedown defense from Cronkite. No joy for Matah on that attempt.
Cronkite shoots in looking for a takedown but Matah manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cronkite's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cronkite takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cronkite feints and as Matah raises his hands in defense, Cronkite changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cronkite slips nicely into half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matah moves into full guard.
Cronkite cracks Matah with a solid left hand.
Matah has his foot on Cronkite's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cronkite works his way back into a safe position though.
Matah escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cronkite gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Matah had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cronkite defends it easily.
Cronkite pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matah is keeping the position for now.
Matah is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matah escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cronkite gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cronkite thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cronkite is looking to work some ground and pound but Matah has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matah looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cronkite passes Matah's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Matah manages to get to full guard.
Cronkite advances to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matah blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cronkite.
Cronkite wants to pass to mount but Matah is defending the position.
Matah makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Matah.
Cronkite postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Matah is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cronkite defends well.
Matah is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Matah had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cronkite defends it easily.
Cronkite is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cronkite postures up in Matah's guard and throws a big left but Matah blocks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matah working for a triangle but Cronkite defends it easily.
Our spies down at at Irish Collar-and-Elbow Academy inform us that Matah has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Cronkite postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Cronkite working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cronkite throws a big elbow that misses.
Cronkite slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cronkite scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cronkite slips a nice elbow through Matah's hands, connecting with Matah's forehead.
Cronkite lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Melvin Cronkite will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Cronkite shoots in for a takedown but Matah shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Matah finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Cronkite tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Matah swivels and escapes.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cronkite.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Melvin Cronkite. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cronkite checks a low kick from Matah.
Matah shoots and misses
and Cronkite counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Matah keeping moving, preventing Cronkite from controlling successfully.
Cronkite throwing strikes from guard but Matah blocks nicely.
Cronkite working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matah is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cronkite defends well.
Matah escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cronkite gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cronkite scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cronkite passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Cronkite lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Cronkite tries to advance to mount but Matah denies him.
Cronkite tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Matah is trying to get back to half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cronkite lands a decent elbow from side control.
Cronkite thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Matah is looking to reverse the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matah is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Cronkite wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Matah, who protects the arm well.
Cronkite moves into full mount!
Matah regains half guard.
Matah looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matah is trying to get back to full guard.
Cronkite lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Matah is trying to get back to full guard.
Cronkite thows a huge punch but Matah dodges it nicely.
Cronkite is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Matah sees it coming and defends easily.
Matah looking for submissions off his back.
Cronkite throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cronkite trying to mount his opponent but Matah defends it.
Cronkite is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Matah defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Matah is looking for a sweep. Cronkite is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cronkite tries to pass to full mount but Matah defends it.
Matah is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Matah looking for submissions off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Matah avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cronkite.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Melvin Cronkite dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Cronkite shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Matah sprawls well. Matah wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cronkite gets slowly back to his feet.
Matah leaves Cronkite with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Matah throws a leg kick that misses.
Matah tried to score with a low kick but Cronkite checks it.
Matah misses with a low kick.
Matah goes for a double leg but Cronkite avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cronkite continues to drive forward.
Matah successfully pulls guard.
Cronkite stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matah swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matah working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cronkite doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cronkite manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Matah working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cronkite.
Cronkite is pushing down on Matah's leg trying to pass to half guard. Matah is fighting to maintain full guard but Cronkite has managed to sneak the leg through.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cronkite throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Matah wants to improve his position but Cronkite is controlling well.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Cronkite lands a nice short elbow.
Cronkite sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Matah defending well though.
Matah tries to get to full guard but Cronkite has control of the leg.
Cronkite tries to pass the half guard into mount. Matah knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Cronkite is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Matah manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Cronkite takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matah moves into full guard.
Cronkite throws a big elbow that misses.
Cronkite wants to pass the guard but Matah is keeping the position.
Cronkite is working hard here to advance position.
Cronkite makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Matah had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cronkite defends it easily.
Cronkite slips nicely into half guard.
Cronkite looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matah looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cronkite is working for a kimura but Matah is defending it quite comfortably.
Matah gets full guard.
Cronkite advances to half guard.
Cronkite passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Matah!
Matah is in all sorts of trouble here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cronkite lands a heavy elbow.
Cronkite looking to control but Matah is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matah really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Matah bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Cronkite has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Matah can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Matah wants to control from the top but Cronkite keeps moving.
Hiruku Matah has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Melvin Cronkite is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cronkite manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Matah manages to get himself to full guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Melvin Cronkite showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cronkite, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Melvin Cronkite!
A victorious Melvin Cronkite thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
In defeat, Hiruku Matah stepped up to the mic, saying 'Bah!'.
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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
82% |
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