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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Cook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hakuna Matata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 188 cm
20
199 lbs
6 - 2 - 0 |
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188 cm
28
195 lbs
5 - 6 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined |
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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
6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Cook!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hakuna Matata!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Winston Howard and Damien Edna.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matata throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matata misses with a few strikes there.
Cook has managed to clinch.
Cook's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matata lands a jab to the head.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Matata wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Matata's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cook tries to clinch up but Matata circles away and keeps his distance.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matata! But no joy.
Matata swats away the attempt to clinch by Cook.
Matata closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cook pushes Matata up against the cage in a clinch.
Matata blocks a body shot from Cook.
We've been hearing reports that Cook has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Cook has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Matata is trying to keep an underhook but Cook manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cook performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matata pushes Cook off but Cook dives into side control.
Cook tries to move into full mount but can't pass Matata's legs.
Cook working the ground and pound.
You can see the frustration on Matata's face as Cook controls the position.
Cook throwing shots but missing, from side control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Matata is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Cook asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Matata is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Cook tries to move into full mount but can't pass Matata's legs.
Matata takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Cook prevents Matata from escaping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matata trying to remain calm as Cook controls from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cook has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Cook.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Matata misses with a few strikes there.
Matata misses with a wild combination.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Cook drives through and clinches with Matata against the cage.
Matata wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matata tries to circle away but Cook has him pinned against the cage.
Matata is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Matata wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cook breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cook fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Matata, pushing him back against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Cook - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A frustrated look appears on Matata's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Matata has had enough of the clinch but Cook keeps him there for the moment.
Cook manages to break the clinch.
Matata looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cook takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cook instigates a clinch.
Matata wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cook breaks the clinch.
Matata's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cook connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Matata scrambles back to his feet.
It looks like Hakuna Matata has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice straight punches there by Matata. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Matata.
A big right from Matata misses.
Matata is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cook.
Cook tries to clinch up.
Matata falls off balance throwing a combination
and Cook counters with a takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
James Cook dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hakuna Matata's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Matata tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matata circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cook keeps the fight on the outside.
Cook tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jab by Matata.
Cook closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Cook taking a breather here.
Cook in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cook trying to control the position but Matata is working away.
Cook cracks Matata with an elbow. That is naaassty.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matata is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Matata stops Cook from passing to mount.
Matata is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Cook has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Matata is not content to let Cook control the position.
Matata is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Cook has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Cook in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Matata tries to escape but Cook is in control.
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.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Matata wants to get back to his feet but Cook drags him back down.
Matata takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Cook thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Cook just content to control the position.
Matata is trying to get back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Matata chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sloppy strikes from Matata. Those never looked like landing.
Cook tries to clinch up.
Matata throws a jab but it's blocked by Cook.
An attempted straight right counter from Cook misses the target.
Cook clinches up against the cage.
Matata lands a shoulder strike.
Matata is trying to force a seperation but Cook has the dominant position.
Cook slowing the pace effectively.
Cook pressing his opponent against the cage.
Cook dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Cook seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Cook stalling against the cage.
Matata wants to get back to striking at distance but Cook won't allow it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matata tries to break the clinch but Cook is controlling the position.
Matata working hard to break the clinch.
Cook has Matata pressed against the cage, preventing Matata from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Matata breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sloppy strikes from Matata. Those never looked like landing.
Cook appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Matata tries to keep at a distance but Cook has taken the fight into the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cook throws an elbow but misses.
Cook breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matata circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matata defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cook.
Matata throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cook stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
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!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cook shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Matata manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Cook sitting in guard here, content to control.
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 James Cook will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hakuna Matata's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!
Cook drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cook with a flurry of punches that miss.
Matata wants to get back to his feet but Cook passes into half guard.
Cook tries to pass the half guard into mount. Matata knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Cook seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matata wants to get back to his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cook is controlling the pace.
Cook stops Matata from getting back to his feet.
Cook is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matata can do to turn this around?
Cook is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Matata fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cook is out of range.
Matata swats away the attempt to clinch by Cook.
Cook fails with an attempt to clinch.
Matata swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cook gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matata has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Matata manages to break the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cook doesn't manage to clinch there - Matata circles away.
Matata misses with a few strikes there.
It looked like Cook wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Matata throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Matata gets caught napping as Cook dives in and scores a takedown. Matata manages to retain guard.
Cook has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cook showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Cook passes Matata's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Matata takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cook trying to control the pace.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cook is looking to advance position but Matata won't allow it.
Cook works his way into side control.
Cook in side control lands a decent elbow.
Matata bucks up and tries to throw Cook off but instead Cook has got his back!
Cook looking for the choke but no joy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cook lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Cook scores with punches and elbows.
James Cook is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matata is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Hakuna Matata has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matata is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Cook.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that's the end of the fight!
James Cook showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cook, 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 Darius Henderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Cook!
James Cook 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
38% |
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