|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wolfgang Van Beethoven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatenda Ihejirika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Beethoven comes to the cage accompanied by Beethoven-Symphony 7. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
 |
|
 |
| 213 cm
36
277 lbs
35 - 17 - 0 |
|
165 cm
27
261 lbs
13 - 11 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
|
Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
|
| |
|
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
35 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wolfgang Van Beethoven !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tatenda Ihejirika!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Tiny Johnson and Stewart Dunkirk.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Beethoven gets caught napping as Ihejirika dives in and scores a takedown. Van Beethoven manages to retain guard.
Van Beethoven is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Ihejirika has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Van Beethoven regains guard immediately.
Ihejirika throws a big right hand that misses.
Van Beethoven is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ihejirika stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Van Beethoven swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Van Beethoven has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ihejirika can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ihejirika drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ihejirika jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ihejirika chips away with some ground and pound.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Beethoven pulls Ihejirika in to control the position.
Van Beethoven trying to keep a closed guard but Ihejirika is proving a slippery customer.
Ihejirika has gone for a leg lock! Van Beethoven slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ihejirika's guard.
Ihejirika looking for a sweep. Not yet Ihejirika, not yet.
Van Beethoven is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ihejirika keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Van Beethoven stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ihejirika swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ihejirika looking for a sweep. Not yet Ihejirika, not yet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ihejirika is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ihejirika is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ihejirika is trying to work for a kimura but Van Beethoven is defending well.
Ihejirika lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ihejirika prevents Van Beethoven from improving his position.
Ihejirika seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Van Beethoven does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Van Beethoven trying to control from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Beethoven manages to get to full guard.
Ihejirika loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Van Beethoven trying to control the position.
Van Beethoven working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ihejirika doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ihejirika manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ihejirika trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ihejirika passes into half guard.
Ihejirika working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Beethoven trying to control from the bottom.
Ihejirika is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Van Beethoven has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ihejirika sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Van Beethoven defending well though.
Ihejirika is taking a breather. Van Beethoven says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Ihejirika sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Van Beethoven defending well though.
Van Beethoven tries to get to full guard but Ihejirika has control of the leg.
Ihejirika winds up and cracks Van Beethoven with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Van Beethoven is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Beethoven on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Tatenda Ihejirika dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Ihejirika shoots in but Van Beethoven avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Van Beethoven cracks Ihejirika with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tatenda Ihejirika seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ihejirika scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Van Beethoven kicks off Ihejirika and gets to his feet.
Ihejirika drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ihejirika has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ihejirika tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ihejirika has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ihejirika has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Van Beethoven tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ihejirika wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Van Beethoven gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ihejirika is trying to work for a kimura but Van Beethoven is defending well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Beethoven wants to control but Ihejirika is keeping busy.
Ihejirika passes to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ihejirika working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Van Beethoven can't do much from the bottom here.
Van Beethoven tries to get back to half guard but can't.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ihejirika staying calm.
Van Beethoven is trying to control Ihejirika's posture but Ihejirika avoids it.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Ihejirika working his ground and pound in the gym.
The ground and pound from Ihejirika seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Ihejirika is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Van Beethoven knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Van Beethoven is trying to control Ihejirika's posture but Ihejirika avoids it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ihejirika misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ihejirika tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ihejirika wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Van Beethoven , who protects the arm well.
Check out the look on Ihejirika's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Van Beethoven struggling a bit here.
Van Beethoven on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Beethoven trying to control but Ihejirika flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Van Beethoven showing good submission defense here.
Ihejirika is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Van Beethoven is defending well though. Ihejirika let's go of the attempt for now.
Van Beethoven wants to control his opponent's hands but Ihejirika gets his hands free.
Well, with Ihejirika on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Van Beethoven is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Van Beethoven rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ihejirika working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ihejirika is looking to take a break and control but Van Beethoven 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.
Tatenda Ihejirika showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Van Beethoven looks to land a left hand but Ihejirika moved out of range nicely.
Ihejirika shoots in looking for a takedown. Van Beethoven tries to sprawl out of it but Ihejirika keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Van Beethoven manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A swing and a miss from Ihejirika.
Van Beethoven scores with a leg kick.
Ihejirika lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Van Beethoven slips under a jab from Ihejirika.
Ihejirika dives in and grabs Van Beethoven 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Van Beethoven pushes down on Ihejirika's head and hops out.
Ihejirika checks a leg kick nicely.
Ihejirika walks into a stiff left hand from Van Beethoven .
It looks like Tatenda Ihejirika has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Van Beethoven throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ihejirika wants to counter the offense by Van Beethoven and move into the clinch position.
Ihejirika throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Van Beethoven half committed to a counter leg kick.
Van Beethoven bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ihejirika shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ihejirika showed some decent athleticism there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ihejirika is taking a breather. Van Beethoven says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Beethoven is trying to maintain the position but Ihejirika is very close to passing his half guard.
Ihejirika stalling.
Van Beethoven desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Ihejirika seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Van Beethoven does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Van Beethoven has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ihejirika is working away from the top position though.
Ihejirika prevents Van Beethoven from improving his position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Van Beethoven is working hard here to advance position.
Ihejirika keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ihejirika is working for a submission of some sort.
Van Beethoven tries to roll over but Ihejirika keeps him under control.
Ihejirika passes the guard and advances to mount!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Beethoven wants to hold on but Ihejirika pushes him away.
Wolfgang Van Beethoven has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Van Beethoven is bucking up trying to escape but Ihejirika cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Tatenda Ihejirika is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The referee warns Van Beethoven that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Ihejirika can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Van Beethoven is looking to escape.
Ihejirika lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Van Beethoven hang on?
Ihejirika punishing his opponent with strikes.
Ihejirika looking for a guillotine from mount but Van Beethoven is having none of it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ihejirika trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ihejirika pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Van Beethoven wants to try and get back to his feet.
Van Beethoven is desperately trying to improve his position but Ihejirika has a good base and remains in mount.
Ihejirika controlling from mount.
Van Beethoven wants to control but Ihejirika is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ihejirika sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Beethoven throwing hammer fists to the chest of Ihejirika. What's that going to do exactly?
And that's the end of the fight!
Tatenda Ihejirika comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ihejirika winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tatenda Ihejirika!
Tatenda Ihejirika decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
36% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
