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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Merle Highchurch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nguyen Hoang Minh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nguyen Hoang Minh will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.
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| 150 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0 |
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188 cm
21
195 lbs
1 - 4 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk |
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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
1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Merle Highchurch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Nguyen Hoang Minh!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and William Gold.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hoang Minh misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Highchurch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Highchurch is looking to chop away at Hoang Minh's legs.
Highchurch circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hoang Minh tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Highchurch counters with a takedown into side control.
Hoang Minh struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Highchurch moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoang Minh wants to control but Highchurch postures up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Highchurch taking a breather here.
Highchurch goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Hoang Minh rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Highchurch's guard! Nice work there by Hoang Minh!
Highchurch uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Highchurch misses with a head kick.
Hoang Minh darts in looking for a takedown but Highchurch gets double underhooks and turns Hoang Minh into the cage.
The fighters circling - Highchurch throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Highchurch misses with a body kick.
A little jabbing left from Hoang Minh on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nice defenses there by Hoang Minh.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Highchurch throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
As Highchurch backs off Hoang Minh throws a huge counter combo but Highchurch manages to avoid it all.
Hoang Minh tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Highchurch swivels and escapes.
Merle Highchurch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nguyen Hoang Minh.
Hoang Minh is looking to clinch but Highchurch is avoiding it.
Highchurch tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Hoang Minh manages to circle out of the way.
Highchurch throws a shot from downtown. Hoang Minh moves away and avoids it.
A head kick misses from Hoang Minh.
Highchurch throws a head kick that misses.
Hoang Minh tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Highchurch is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hoang Minh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters circling - Highchurch throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A slow jab from Highchurch misses its intended target.
Hoang Minh shoots in looking for a takedown but Highchurch manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hoang Minh's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hoang Minh avoids the head kick by Highchurch.
Hoang Minh misses with a jab, cross combination.
Highchurch tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hoang Minh is able to avoid easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoang Minh fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Highchurch checks it well.
Hoang Minh has a takedown stuffed.
Hoang Minh misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Highchurch was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hoang Minh looks winded!
Hoang Minh tries for a takedown but Highchurch sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Highchurch lands a lovely overhand right.
Highchurch misses with a low kick as Hoang Minh jumps back.
Highchurch throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It seemed like Hoang Minh was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Highchurch misses with a body shot.
A big left from Highchurch misses.
Highchurch swings for the body but Hoang Minh moves out of range.
Hoang Minh checks a low kick from Highchurch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Highchurch misses with a hook.
Highchurch swings for the body but Hoang Minh moves out of range.
Highchurch throws a sloppy head kick and Hoang Minh moves out of range easily.
A swing and a miss from Highchurch.
Hoang Minh appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Highchurch connects with a leg kick. Hoang Minh looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hoang Minh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Highchurch.
Highchurch defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hoang Minh.
Highchurch throws a half hearted mid kick.
Highchurch throws a body punch but Hoang Minh moves out of range.
Highchurch misses with a head kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Highchurch throws a body shot but no joy.
Highchurch tries a head kick but it misses.
Highchurch throws a body punch but Hoang Minh moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Merle Highchurch dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Hoang Minh fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Highchurch looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hoang Minh shoots in looking for a takedown. Highchurch tries to sprawl out of it but Hoang Minh keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Highchurch manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Highchurch displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hoang Minh.
Highchurch throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nguyen Hoang Minh is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Highchurch misses with a body kick.
Hoang Minh feints the counter takedown.
Hoang Minh shoots in and drives through. Highchurch sprawls well.
Merle Highchurch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nguyen Hoang Minh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Highchurch lands a lovely overhand right.
Highchurch misses the shot to the body.
Hoang Minh checks the leg kick nicely there.
Highchurch throws a wild body kick that Hoang Minh sees coming a mile off.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Highchurch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hoang Minh checks a low kick from Highchurch.
Highchurch seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Highchurch dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hoang Minh closes the distance and clinches.
Highchurch wants a takedown but no success here.
Highchurch is looking to break free of the clinch but Hoang Minh has double underhooks.
Highchurch has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hoang Minh is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Highchurch on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hoang Minh jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Highchurch walks away with a smile on his face. Hoang Minh gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Merle Highchurch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Highchurch goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Highchurch misses with a looping right.
Highchurch looks to land a body kick but Hoang Minh moved away.
Highchurch throws a head kick but Hoang Minh moves out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Highchurch throws a hook but Hoang Minh avoids it easily.
Hoang Minh steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Highchurch.
Hoang Minh lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Highchurch keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Highchurch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hoang Minh manages to avoid it.
Highchurch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hoang Minh clinches up against the cage.
Hoang Minh with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoang Minh gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Highchurch.
Hoang Minh's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoang Minh wants to clinch up but Highchurch keeps it at a distance.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hoang Minh displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Highchurch throws out the jab.
Highchurch bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hoang Minh is breathing heavily.
Highchurch throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hoang Minh.
A head kick misses from Highchurch.
Highchurch swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Highchurch throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hoang Minh tries to counter with a clinch but Highchurch shakes him off and moves away.
Highchurch misses with a wild body shot.
Highchurch throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Highchurch tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hoang Minh was well out of range. Poor timing from Highchurch.
Hoang Minh looks to score with a jab to the body but Highchurch is just out of range.
Highchurch is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Hoang Minh's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Highchurch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Hoang Minh.
Highchurch throws out a loose jab but Hoang Minh uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hoang Minh tries for a takedown but Highchurch circles away easily
and Highchurch counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hoang Minh won't be happy with that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Highchurch content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Highchurch advances nicely into full mount.
Highchurch throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Hoang Minh because Highchurch loaded up on that one.
Highchurch controlling from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Merle Highchurch dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Hoang Minh blocks a head kick by Highchurch.
Hoang Minh moves away from the strike by Highchurch.
Hoang Minh tries to clinch up but Highchurch circles away and keeps his distance.
Highchurch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Highchurch throws a sloppy head kick and Hoang Minh moves out of range easily.
Highchurch takes a swing at Hoang Minh's ribcage but misses.
Hoang Minh dives in for a single leg takedown but Highchurch sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Highchurch looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Hoang Minh moves out of range of the body kick from Highchurch.
Highchurch attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Highchurch throws a head kick that misses.
Hoang Minh throws a head kick but Highchurch moves out of range.
Highchurch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hoang Minh manages to avoid it.
Hoang Minh has Highchurch up against the cage in a clinch.
Highchurch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hoang Minh can do to turn this around?
That's one minute gone in the round.
Highchurch can't break the clinch.
Highchurch breaks from the clinch.
Highchurch leaves Hoang Minh with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It looked like Highchurch was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hoang Minh.
Hoang Minh moves out of range of the strikes.
Hoang Minh moves out of range of the body kick.
Hoang Minh takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hoang Minh flicks out a counter leg kick but Highchurch steps away.
Highchurch throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Highchurch throws a hook but Hoang Minh avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Highchurch throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Highchurch.
Hoang Minh is looking to clinch but Highchurch is avoiding it.
Highchurch is looking to land body kicks.
Hoang Minh fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Highchurch avoids it really well and circles away.
Merle Highchurch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nguyen Hoang Minh.
Hoang Minh changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Highchurch tries to avoid it but Hoang Minh manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Highchurch to the ground. Highchurch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hoang Minh takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Highchurch misses with a head kick.
Highchurch goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Highchurch, right into the meat.
Highchurch throws a body kick that misses.
Highchurch looks to land a left hand but Hoang Minh moved out of range nicely.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Highchurch throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A leg kick checked by Hoang Minh.
Highchurch sets himself, and Hoang Minh steps forward looking for the clinch! Highchurch avoids it this time.
Highchurch will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hoang Minh blocks the body kick.
Highchurch throws a body punch but Hoang Minh moves out of range.
Hoang Minh throws a big counter head kick but Highchurch avoids it with no problem.
Highchurch throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hoang Minh sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Highchurch throws a head kick that misses.
Highchurch keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hoang Minh throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Highchurch's waist but Highchurch gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hoang Minh off to one side.
Highchurch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Highchurch throws a hook to the side of Hoang Minh's head but Hoang Minh sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoang Minh avoids a kick to the body.
Highchurch throws a front kick aimed at Hoang Minh's knee but Hoang Minh avoids it well.
Highchurch throws a head kick but Hoang Minh moves out of range.
Hoang Minh avoids the head kick by Highchurch.
Hoang Minh tries to clinch there but Highchurch circles away.
Highchurch tried to counter with a leg kick but Hoang Minh avoided it.
Highchurch throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hoang Minh moves out of range as Highchurch strikes.
Hoang Minh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Highchurch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hoang Minh shoots in but Highchurch avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nguyen Hoang Minh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Merle Highchurch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hoang Minh rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Highchurch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merle Highchurch showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Highchurch, 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Merle Highchurch!
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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
40% |
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