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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Connor Freeman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Travis Zangief (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Zangief's choice of entrance music: We Own It. Travis Zangief told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!
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| 169 cm
25
140 lbs
13 - 7 - 0 |
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170 cm
27
150 lbs
9 - 10 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed |
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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
13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Connor Freeman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Travis Zangief!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Freeman shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Freeman is fighting to break Zangief's control of his arms but Zangief is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Let's hope that Zangief has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Freeman wants to control from the top but Zangief keeps moving.
Zangief is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Freeman is looking to pass into half guard but Zangief pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Zangief is in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Freeman scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Freeman clinches up against the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zangief breaks the clinch.
Zangief closes the distance but Freeman moves to the side
so Freeman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Freeman wants to control from the top but Zangief keeps moving.
Zangief looking to control.
Zangief is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zangief trying to keep a closed guard but Freeman is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freeman is pushing down on Zangief's leg trying to pass to half guard. Zangief is fighting to maintain full guard but Freeman has managed to sneak the leg through.
Freeman prevents Zangief from standing back up.
Freeman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Freeman content to control rather than advance.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A head kick misses from Zangief.
Zangief misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zangief 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.
Freeman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zangief tries to counter with a clinch but Freeman shakes him off and moves away.
Freeman darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Freeman is trying to work for a kimura but Zangief is defending well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zangief wants to get back to full guard.
Freeman is looking to take a break and control but Zangief is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zangief controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Freeman wants to control but Zangief is keeping him busy.
Zangief felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Freeman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
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.
Zangief is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Freeman not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Freeman looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Zangief tries to kick Freeman off but Freeman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Freeman clinches.
Zangief tries to land a knee to the head but Freeman blocks with his arms.
Freeman pushes Zangief back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Freeman pressing his opponent against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Freeman lands with a right to the head.
Zangief misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Freeman.
Zangief lands an elbow inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Connor Freeman dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Zangief fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zangief throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Freeman.
Zangief blocks the body kick.
Zangief throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Freeman counters with a left to the body.
Freeman slips a jab from Zangief.
Zangief motions for Freeman to come forward. Zangief throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zangief misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Zangief misses the target.
Freeman has closed the distance and engaged Zangief in a clinch.
Zangief wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Freeman working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Freeman letting Zangief take a breather here.
Freeman missing with knees to the body.
Zangief wants to get back to striking at distance but Freeman won't allow it.
Freeman working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zangief misses with a hook from the clinch.
Freeman has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Zangief is trying to keep an underhook but Freeman manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Freeman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman tries to pass the half guard into mount. Zangief knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Freeman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zangief keeps working.
Zangief won't allow Freeman to pass to mount.
Freeman with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Freeman wants to pass to mount but Zangief is defending the position.
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.
Zangief is trying to stand up here but Freeman is controlling him well.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Freeman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Freeman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zangief can do to turn this around?
Zangief throws a leg kick but Freeman moved away.
Zangief thumps Freeman with a low kick.
Freeman chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zangief can pounce on him.
Zangief throws a low kick but Freeman moves out of range easily.
Freeman wants to clinch up but Zangief keeps it at a distance.
Freeman throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zangief's waist but Zangief gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Freeman off to one side.
Zangief throws a shot from downtown. Freeman moves away and avoids it.
Zangief displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Freeman.
Freeman tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zangief manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Freeman scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zangief in his tracks.
Zangief fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Freeman.
Freeman avoids the head kick by Zangief.
Freeman half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freeman takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zangief throws a head kick that misses
and Freeman counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zangief tries to clinch up but Freeman circles away and keeps his distance.
Freeman checks a leg kick nicely.
Zangief misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Freeman is looking to counter the offense by Zangief and move into the clinch.
Freeman will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor Freeman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Freeman slips under a jab from Zangief.
Freeman looks for a takedown but Zangief sprawls well.
Freeman lands the left hand.
Freeman fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Zangief to the ground. Freeman is now in Zangief's guard.
Freeman wants to pass the guard but Zangief is keeping the position.
Zangief working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Freeman.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freeman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Freeman trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Zangief manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Zangief wants to stand and escape but instead Freeman has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Freeman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zangief swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Freeman controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Connor Freeman 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. This is the final round!
Zangief connects with a solid leg kick.
Freeman moves into the clinch.
Zangief with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zangief misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Freeman.
Freeman misses with an elbow over the top.
Zangief is trying to break the clinch but Freeman has him pressed against the cage.
Zangief throws a punch but it's blocked by Freeman.
Freeman tries to work over Zangief's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zangief working aggressively here.
Freeman keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zangief's efforts to push away.
Zangief tries to circle away but Freeman has him pinned against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Freeman - that landed with a thud.
Zangief manages to break the clinch.
Freeman takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Freeman has taken the fight to the clinch.
Freeman wants the takedown. Zangief is fighting it off but Freeman persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Zangief's guard against the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Freeman distracts Zangief with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Zangief wants to get back to his feet but Freeman is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Freeman trying to control the position from guard on top but Zangief is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Freeman postures up.
Freeman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
That's two 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.
Freeman wants to control from the top but Zangief keeps moving.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Travis Zangief seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Freeman closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Zangief quickly recovers to half guard.
Zangief wants to get back to full guard.
Freeman postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Zangief to stand up.
Zangief lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Freeman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zangief paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Freeman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Freeman just misses with a punch to the body.
Freeman throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Zangief counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zangief listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Freeman rushes Zangief and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Zangief has had enough of the clinch but Freeman keeps him there for the moment.
Freeman scores with a shoulder strike.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freeman lands an uppercut.
Freeman working aggressively here.
Freeman doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zangief pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zangief lands a nice leg kick that just misses Freeman's sensitive parts.
Freeman throws out a leg kick but Zangief moves out of range and Freeman only half commits.
Freeman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zangief throws a head kick but Freeman moves out of range.
Freeman checks the leg kick.
Zangief throws a head kick but Freeman moves out of range.
Freeman changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Freeman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zangief.
Zangief scores with a leg kick.
Freeman closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Zangief did well to prevent Freeman getting side control.
Freeman has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Zangief tries to lock up and control but Freeman gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freeman tries to control but Zangief wriggling away.
Zangief is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Freeman cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Freeman looking to ground and pound but Zangief is blocking nicely.
Travis Zangief has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Freeman landing strikes from the mount.
Freeman 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.
Freeman with the ground and pound from mount.
Freeman trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that's the end of the fight!
Connor Freeman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Freeman, 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Connor Freeman!
A victorious Connor Freeman thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
In defeat, Travis Zangief stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'm not proud of my performance I knew I could have done much better. This guy is a beast and he was great tonight. '.
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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
47% |
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