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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Akira Azuma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Ponting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ricky Ponting has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 172 cm
27
164 lbs
9 - 6 - 0 |
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170 cm
32
160 lbs
21 - 20 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Akira Azuma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
21 - 20 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricky Ponting!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Sam Margolis and Phil Schofield.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Ponting misses its intended target.
Azuma throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ponting sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ponting misses with a body shot.
Ponting throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ponting's coach down at McGarrys plant works was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ponting's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Ponting fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Azuma goes for a double leg but Ponting avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ponting continues to drive forward.
Ponting escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ponting cracks Azuma with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ponting scores with a jab.
Ricky Ponting seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Azuma takes a swing at Ponting's ribcage but misses.
Ponting is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Azuma or perhaps it was just good defense by Ponting, which made it look bad.
Azuma fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akira Azuma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A swing and a miss from Ponting.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Azuma connects with a right hand. Ponting shakes it off.
Azuma changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ponting tries to avoid it but Azuma manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ponting to the ground. Ponting escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ponting dips to his left and cracks Azuma with an uppercut!
Azuma wants to clinch up but Ponting keeps it at a distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ponting. Azuma does a little dance to reset his feet.
Azuma keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ponting.
Azuma thows a left - swing and a miss!
Azuma tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ponting manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ponting lands an overhand right.
Ponting displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Azuma.
Azuma has been working on his balance at Mano`s Elite BJJ Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Ponting.
Ponting gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ponting tries to land a sweep but no joy.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azuma with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ponting keeping full guard, as Azuma tries to pass.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Azuma postures up.
Azuma throwing strikes but missing.
Azuma trying to control the position from guard on top but Ponting is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Azuma is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ponting trying to strike off his back.
Ponting has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Azuma can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ponting working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Azuma.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponting is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Azuma postures up in Ponting's guard and throws a big left but Ponting blocks it.
Azuma got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ponting has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Azuma has managed to get both his arms back between Ponting's legs - danger averted.
Ponting looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Azuma connects with a couple of short punches.
Azuma trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Azuma controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ponting is looking to stand up but Azuma isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponting looking to control.
Ponting being controlled here, momentarily.
Azuma trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Azuma comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Azuma tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ponting defends well and Azuma ends up having to push Ponting into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Azuma swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Azuma works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ponting lands a takedown into guard.
Ponting postures up in Azuma's guard and throws a big left but Azuma blocks it.
Azuma is trying to control the position but Ponting postures up.
Azuma is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
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 Akira Azuma will probably get the nod.
That's time! Azuma's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Ponting shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Azuma defends it nicely.
Ponting uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Azuma.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Azuma is defended easily by Ponting.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ponting is defended easily by Azuma.
Ponting lands a nice shot that snaps Azuma's head back.
Ponting showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Azuma.
Ponting misses with a few strikes there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponting slips a jab from Azuma.
Ponting fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Azuma connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ponting slips a jab and a cross from Azuma.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ponting is defended easily by Azuma.
Akira Azuma has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Ponting.
Ponting fails with a takedown attempt.
Ponting throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ponting misses with a takedown attempt
and Azuma counters with a single leg into guard. Ponting didn't expect that.
Ponting trying to keep a closed guard but Azuma is proving a slippery customer.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azuma's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Azuma throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ponting works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azuma trying to control the position from guard on top but Ponting is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ponting striking off his back but it's not causing Azuma any problems.
Azuma working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Azuma stopping the sweep attempt from Ponting.
Azuma is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Azuma works the jab nicely.
Ricky Ponting seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azuma takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ponting tries to score a power double leg takedown but Azuma sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ponting somewhat.
Azuma throws out a loose jab but Ponting uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ponting throws a body punch but Azuma moves out of range.
Azuma moves out of range as Ponting throws a body kick.
Ponting connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ponting avoids the body shot from Azuma.
Ponting looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Azuma is fending him off so far but Ponting persists. Nope, Azuma circles away and we're back to standing.
A slow jab from Ponting misses its intended target.
Azuma fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ponting manages to avoid it.
Ponting has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponting throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Azuma's waist but Azuma gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ponting off to one side.
Ponting throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Azuma uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ponting.
Azuma misses with a wild body shot.
Ponting jabs at Azuma's body.
Azuma staying out of range there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Azuma fails with an attempt to clinch.
Azuma lands a body shot.
Ponting uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Azuma.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Azuma scores with a jab. Ponting acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ponting scores with a jab to the head.
Ponting stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ponting just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Akira Azuma dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Azuma misses with an uppercut.
Azuma with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ponting displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Azuma throws out the jab.
Ponting misses the jab.
Azuma throws an overhand right that lands on Ponting's shoulder, as Ponting tries to avoid the shot.
Ponting throws a jab when Azuma was well out of range.
Ponting throws a sloppy head kick and Azuma moves out of range easily.
Azuma lands with a straight right. Ponting didn't see that one coming.
Azuma showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ponting.
Ponting defending well as Azuma loads up on a big left hand.
Ponting throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Azuma.
Azuma slips under a jab from Ponting.
Ponting lands a glancing blow to the side of Azuma's head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Azuma throws out a loose jab but Ponting uses good head movement to avoid it.
Azuma is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Azuma takes a jab right on the kisser.
Azuma rushes Ponting and presses him up against the cage.
Ponting tries to break free but Azuma pushes him back against the cage.
Azuma stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ponting is trying to break the clinch but Azuma has him pressed against the cage.
A short left from Azuma.
Azuma lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right from Azuma on the inside.
Azuma is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Azuma has Ponting pressed against the cage, preventing Ponting from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ponting tries to break the clinch but Azuma is controlling the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azuma lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ponting is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Azuma wants the takedown. Ponting is fighting it off but Azuma persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ponting's guard against the cage.
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!
Azuma throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ponting works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ponting working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Azuma doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Azuma manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ponting takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Azuma throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ponting works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Azuma throwing strikes from guard but Ponting blocks nicely.
Ponting keeping moving, preventing Azuma from controlling successfully.
Ponting looking to control.
Azuma wants to control from the top but Ponting keeps moving.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azuma throws a big elbow that misses.
Ponting not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Ponting throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Azuma landing some decent shots from guard.
Azuma postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Azuma pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ponting is keeping the position for now.
Azuma working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ponting's head.
Azuma is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ricky Ponting has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Azuma 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.
Azuma seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Ponting for as long as he can get away with.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azuma wants to control from the top but Ponting keeps moving.
Akira Azuma overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Azuma postures up and lands a big shot to Ponting's brow.
Azuma throwing strikes but missing.
Azuma is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Azuma trying to control the position from guard on top but Ponting is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Azuma postures up in Ponting's guard and throws a big left but Ponting blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ponting throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Azuma trying to control the position from guard on top but Ponting is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that's the end of the fight!
Akira Azuma showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Azuma has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akira Azuma!
Akira Azuma looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'After my short stay in Kickboxing i am happy to be back in MMA and will try to make a run here in the Org.'.
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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
66% |
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