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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hani Haji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jan Eckstroem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 175 cm
25
187 lbs
2 - 0 - 0 |
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185 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 6 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hani Haji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jan Eckstroem!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Peter Branson and Sandra Marshall.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eckstroem shoots in and drives through. Haji sprawls well.
Haji throws a head kick but Eckstroem moves out of range.
Eckstroem changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Haji misses with a head kick.
Haji misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Haji throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Eckstroem's head.
Eckstroem shoots in for a double leg but Haji sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A head kick misses from Haji.
Haji throws a sloppy head kick and Eckstroem moves out of range easily.
Eckstroem throws a counter combo.
Haji tries a head kick but it misses.
Despite the aggression on Eckstroem's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haji tries a head kick but it misses.
Haji lands with a kick to the temple. Eckstroem shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Haji throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Haji connects with a high kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Haji tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Eckstroem has managed to clinch.
Haji breaks the clinch.
Eckstroem avoids the head kick by Haji.
Eckstroem is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hani Haji is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Haji tries a head kick but it misses.
Eckstroem throws a counter combo.
Eckstroem tries to close the distance and clinch up but Haji swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Haji throws a head kick that misses
and Eckstroem counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Eckstroem blocks a head kick by Haji.
A head kick misses from Haji.
Haji is breathing heavily.
Haji pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Haji throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Eckstroem tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haji throws a head kick that misses.
Haji throws a head kick that misses.
Haji goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Haji throws a sloppy head kick and Eckstroem moves out of range easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haji throws a sloppy head kick and Eckstroem moves out of range easily.
And Eckstroem tries to counter it with a takedown but Haji pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Eckstroem avoids the head kick by Haji.
A punch combination from Eckstroem misses.
It looked like Haji was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Haji throws a sloppy head kick
and Eckstroem decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Haji's guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Eckstroem working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Eckstroem looking to pass the guard.
Eckstroem gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eckstroem fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Haji to the ground. Eckstroem is now in Haji's guard.
Eckstroem with a flurry of punches that miss.
Eckstroem stands up from Haji's guard - Eckstroem perhaps looking for a knockout.
Eckstroem is looking to clinch but Haji is avoiding it.
A head kick by Haji misses
so Eckstroem counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Eckstroem stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Haji swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Eckstroem has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Eckstroem tries to stand but Haji is controlling from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eckstroem drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Eckstroem jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Eckstroem postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Haji is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Eckstroem, into his guard.
Haji throwing strikes from guard but Eckstroem blocks nicely.
Haji looking to pass the guard.
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 Hani Haji will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Haji pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hani Haji seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Haji throws a lazy head kick
and Eckstroem counters with a stiff right hand.
Haji misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Eckstroem looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Eckstroem controlling the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eckstroem is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Haji manages to get to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Eckstroem wants to stand but Haji has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Eckstroem trying to control the position from guard on top but Haji is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eckstroem content to stall in guard here.
Eckstroem passes Haji's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
That's two 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.
Eckstroem is keen to just control but Haji is a slippery customer.
Haji blocking the ground and pound attempt from Eckstroem.
Eckstroem is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A head kick misses from Haji.
Eckstroem throws a counter combo.
Haji misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Haji throws a head kick that misses.
Eckstroem throws a counter combo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Haji throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haji throws a lazy head kick
and Eckstroem counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hani Haji is winning the standup battle so far.
Eckstroem clinches with his opponent.
Eckstroem is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Eckstroem tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Haji just stands there and leans against the cage.
Eckstroem tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Eckstroem jumps guard but Haji turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hani Haji has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Eckstroem.
Haji pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Haji misses with a head kick.
Eckstroem blocks a head kick by Haji.
Eckstroem is looking for the big counter here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haji tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Haji displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Eckstroem.
A head kick misses from Haji.
Eckstroem lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Haji misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Eckstroem throws out a counter right but Haji avoids it with no problem.
Eckstroem is looking to clinch but Haji is avoiding it.
Haji stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Haji wants it to stay on the feet.
Haji misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Haji misses with a head kick.
Eckstroem connects with a solid leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick by Haji misses
and Eckstroem decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Haji's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Jan Eckstroem showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Eckstroem goes for a double leg but Haji avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Haji continues to drive forward.
Eckstroem avoids the head kick by Haji.
As Haji backs off Eckstroem throws a huge counter combo but Haji manages to avoid it all.
Eckstroem takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Haji throws a head kick that misses.
Eckstroem is looking for the big counter here.
Haji throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hani Haji is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Eckstroem avoids the head kick by Haji.
Despite the aggression on Eckstroem's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Eckstroem misses with a takedown attempt - Haji sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haji misses with a head kick.
Haji throws a head kick that misses.
Eckstroem scores with a takedown into Haji's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Eckstroem chips away with some ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Eckstroem pushes down on Haji's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Eckstroem is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Eckstroem stands up out of the half guard.
Eckstroem closes the distance and pushes Haji back into the cage.
The referee calls for Eckstroem to work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eckstroem breaks the clinch.
Eckstroem throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Haji's waist but Haji gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Eckstroem off to one side.
Hani Haji has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Eckstroem.
Haji misses with a head kick.
Eckstroem throws a counter combo.
Haji misses with a head kick.
Haji pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Haji throws a sloppy head kick
and Eckstroem counters with a left and a right that stings Haji.
Haji throws a head kick but Eckstroem moves out of range.
Eckstroem closes the distance and clinches.
Eckstroem jumps guard but Haji turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Eckstroem fails to pull guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eckstroem fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Eckstroem tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Haji smiles and moves away.
Haji misses with a head kick.
As Haji backs off Eckstroem throws a huge counter combo but Haji manages to avoid it all.
Haji throws a sloppy head kick and Eckstroem moves out of range easily.
Eckstroem drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Haji defends it well.
Eckstroem tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Haji defends well and Eckstroem ends up having to push Haji into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Haji pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Haji keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Haji throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Haji keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Haji is looking for a counter combo.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eckstroem shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Haji as he avoids it easily.
Haji pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Eckstroem blocks a head kick by Haji.
Eckstroem is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Eckstroem connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Haji momentarily.
Haji throws a sloppy head kick and Eckstroem moves out of range easily.
Nice takedown defense from Haji. No joy for Eckstroem on that attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A head kick misses from Haji.
Haji throws a lazy head kick
and Eckstroem counters with a takedown into side control.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jan Eckstroem.
I think Eckstroem 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 David Hoff scores the fight 29:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jan Eckstroem!
Jan Eckstroem bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.
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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
42% |
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