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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zlatko Zahovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrew Morgan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zahovic's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Senorita-Vince Staples. 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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| 175 cm
29
160 lbs
14 - 6 - 0 |
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195 cm
35
165 lbs
23 - 14 - 2 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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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
14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zlatko Zahovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
23 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrew Morgan!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Stewart Dunkirk.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zahovic throws a jab when Morgan was well out of range.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Morgan has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Zahovic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Morgan.
No luck for Zahovic with that takedown attempt.
As Zahovic backs off Morgan throws a huge counter combo but Zahovic manages to avoid it all.
Morgan walks into a stiff left hand from Zahovic.
Morgan connects with the punch.
Zahovic slips a jab from Morgan.
Morgan dips to his left and cracks Zahovic with an uppercut!
Morgan tries to sprawl but Zahovic drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Zahovic sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Morgan defending well though.
Morgan looks like he's trying to stand up.
Zahovic is trying to control the action in half guard but Morgan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zahovic is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Morgan is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Morgan kicks off Zahovic and gets to his feet.
Morgan misses with a straight left.
Zahovic throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Morgan on the side of the head.
Zahovic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Morgan is fending him off so far but Zahovic persists. Nope, Morgan circles away and we're back to standing.
Zahovic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Morgan has time to react.
It looks like Andrew Morgan has been cut.
Morgan with a nice cross.
Morgan throws a nice head kick!
Morgan lands a jab to the head.
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!
Zahovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Morgan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zahovic takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zahovic closes the distance and clinches up with Morgan, looking for a takedown. Zahovic pushes Morgan against the cage but Morgan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zlatko Zahovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zahovic fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Morgan! But no joy.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zahovic misses with a takedown attempt
and Morgan counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Zahovic thinking.
Morgan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zahovic is looking to counter punch.
Morgan fails to land with a series of punches.
Zahovic was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Morgan looks to throw the jab but Zahovic is out of range.
Zahovic is looking to counter punch.
Morgan misses with an uppercut
letting Zahovic counter with a right hand.
Morgan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zahovic.
Morgan lands with a cross.
Zahovic cracks Morgan with an open hand slap.
A swing and a miss from Morgan.
Morgan throws a jab but it's blocked by Zahovic.
Morgan might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Zahovic ducks under a wild hook from Morgan.
Zahovic looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Morgan!
Morgan pushes Zahovic away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Zahovic gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zahovic is working Morgan over with some ground and pound from side control.
Morgan is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Zahovic has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Zahovic is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Morgan is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Zahovic wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Morgan, who protects the arm well.
Zahovic working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Morgan on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Zahovic working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Zahovic tries to move into full mount but can't pass Morgan's legs.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zahovic slows the pace down.
Zahovic is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Morgan has escaped the position, nice work there.
Morgan tries to escape but Zahovic is in control.
Morgan parries the strikes from Zahovic easily there. Zahovic is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Morgan to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morgan tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Zahovic looking for the choke from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Andrew Morgan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Andrew Morgan's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Zahovic lands with an uppercut that bounces Morgan off the cage and back into range.
Zahovic throws a lazy uppercut
and Morgan counters with a stiff right hand.
Morgan looks to land a body kick but Zahovic moved away.
Zahovic takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Morgan lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jab, jab by Morgan - just one landing.
Zahovic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Morgan.
Morgan throws a big shot that misses.
Morgan comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Zahovic misses with a wild body shot.
A little jabbing left from Morgan on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Morgan's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Zahovic connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Morgan scrambles back to his feet.
Morgan throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zahovic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Morgan is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A punch combination from Morgan misses.
Zahovic throws a body punch but Morgan moves out of range.
Morgan lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Morgan is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Zahovic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Morgan.
Zahovic is looking to counter punch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan connects with a nice looking jab.
Morgan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Morgan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Morgan throws a jab when Zahovic was well out of range.
Morgan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zahovic.
Zahovic scores with a jab. Morgan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Zahovic throws a body punch but Morgan moves out of range.
Zahovic works the jab nicely.
Zahovic dives in and grabs Morgan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Morgan pushes down on Zahovic's head and hops out.
Zahovic goes for a double leg but Morgan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Morgan continues to drive forward.
Zahovic dives in for a single leg takedown but Morgan sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zlatko Zahovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zahovic.
Andrew Morgan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zahovic moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zahovic is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Morgan misses with a hook.
Morgan connects with a crisp jab.
Morgan misses with an uppercut. Zahovic saw that one coming.
Morgan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
That has opened up Andrew Morgan's cut even more.
A jab from Morgan misses.
Zahovic was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Zahovic takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Morgan lunges at Zahovic with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zahovic's hand.
Morgan lands a nice shot that snaps Zahovic's head back.
Zahovic lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Morgan at a distance.
Morgan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zahovic is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Zahovic is trying hard to land a takedown here. Morgan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice shot lands for Morgan.
Zahovic throws a body shot but no joy.
It seemed like Morgan was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan swats away the attempt to clinch by Zahovic.
Morgan throws a jab when Zahovic was well out of range.
Morgan bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Zahovic has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Zahovic there as he acknowledges the shot.
Zahovic takes a jab right on the kisser.
Zahovic is rocked!
Morgan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zahovic.
Oh Zahovic is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zahovic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zahovic throwing a counter right hand but Morgan manages to avoid it.
Zahovic seems to have got his legs back now.
Zahovic goes for a double leg but Morgan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Morgan continues to drive forward.
Zahovic moves out of range as Morgan strikes.
Morgan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zahovic.
Morgan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zahovic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Morgan is fending him off so far but Zahovic persists. Nope, Morgan circles away and we're back to standing.
Morgan looks to throw the jab but Zahovic is out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zahovic moves out of range of the strikes.
The fighters circling - Morgan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Morgan misses with an uppercut
and Morgan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zahovic cracks Morgan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Morgan misses with a hook. Zahovic ducked under it nicely.
Morgan takes a swing at Zahovic's ribcage but misses.
Zahovic moves out of range of the strikes.
Zahovic fails to land the takedown.
Zahovic takes one on the button.
Zahovic scores with a jab.
Morgan misses with an uppercut
and Zahovic counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morgan lands a lovely overhand right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Andrew Morgan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Andrew Morgan's cut.
That's time! Zahovic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Morgan scores with a nice right hand.
Zahovic fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Morgan to the ground. Zahovic is now in Morgan's guard.
Morgan pushes Zahovic off and gets back to his feet.
Zahovic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Morgan throws a jab but it's blocked by Zahovic.
Zahovic is looking to counter punch.
Morgan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zahovic.
Morgan lands a head shot.
Morgan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zahovic fails with the takedown.
Andrew Morgan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
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!
Morgan slaps away a takedown attempt from Zahovic, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Morgan.
The fighters circle momentarily. Morgan darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zahovic is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zahovic. Morgan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Morgan punishes Zahovic's body with a nice straight punch.
Morgan throws a lazy uppercut
and Zahovic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zahovic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Morgan's waist but Morgan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zahovic off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zlatko Zahovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Morgan slips a jab from Zahovic.
Morgan scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Morgan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Zahovic closes this distance looking for a takedown but Morgan circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Morgan cracks Zahovic with an open hand slap.
Morgan lands a lovely overhand right.
Zahovic is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Zahovic shoots for a takedown but Morgan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zahovic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Morgan.
Zahovic throwing a counter right hand but Morgan manages to avoid it.
A combination from Zahovic does no damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zahovic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Morgan.
Morgan uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Zahovic has time to react.
Morgan connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Morgan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Morgan scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Zahovic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zahovic takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The fighters circling - Morgan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Morgan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zahovic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Morgan.
Zahovic throwing a counter right hand but Morgan manages to avoid it.
Zahovic works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zahovic takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Morgan is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Morgan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zahovic.
Morgan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zahovic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zahovic slips under a jab.
Zahovic was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A looping hook to the body misses from Morgan. Zahovic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zlatko Zahovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Morgan is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Zahovic darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Morgan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Morgan misses with a straight left.
Morgan paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Zahovic ducks under a wild hook from Morgan.
Morgan thows a left - swing and a miss!
A lazy left from Zahovic finds it's target.
Zahovic fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Morgan! But no joy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zahovic shoots in but no luck this time.
Zahovic throws a shot from downtown. Morgan moves away and avoids it.
Zahovic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Morgan but Morgan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
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!
A punch combination from Morgan misses.
Zahovic shoots for a double leg takedown but Morgan sprawls well. He's pushed Zahovic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Morgan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zahovic takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Morgan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice straight punches there by Zahovic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Zahovic.
The cut above Andrew Morgan's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Morgan works over Zahovic's head and body with a nice combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morgan takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Andrew Morgan is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Morgan moves out of range of the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Morgan on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
And that's the end of the fight!
Andrew Morgan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Morgan 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrew Morgan!
Andrew Morgan seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
In defeat, Zlatko Zahovic stepped up to the mic, saying 'Your fucking clapping? Are you serious.... YOUR SO RUDE! *Starts Crying*'.
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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
72% |
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