|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Diego Masvidal (ranked 3080 p4p, 390 weight class) and Manny Zelaya (ranked 4858 p4p, 541 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Zelaya's choice of entrance music: Can't hold us. Manny Zelaya acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.
 |
|
 |
| 190 cm
25
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0 |
|
188 cm
26
185 lbs
5 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Brawler
Good in bed |
|
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power |
|
| |
|
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
3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Diego Masvidal !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Manny Zelaya!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Bruno Lombardi and Eddie Farnsworth.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masvidal will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
We've been hearing reports that Masvidal has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Diego Masvidal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Masvidal fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zelaya avoids it really well and circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Masvidal or perhaps it was just good defense by Zelaya, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Masvidal . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masvidal shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zelaya as he avoids it easily.
Masvidal shoots in but no luck this time.
Masvidal gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Zelaya counters by moving into the clinch.
Zelaya breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Masvidal looks for a takedown but Zelaya sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zelaya stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zelaya wants it to stay on the feet.
Masvidal is breathing heavily.
Masvidal misses with a takedown attempt
and Zelaya counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Masvidal shoots in but Zelaya avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zelaya keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Masvidal sets himself, and Zelaya steps forward looking for the clinch! Masvidal avoids it this time.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zelaya tries for a takedown but Masvidal sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zelaya clinches.
Zelaya lands with a short shot to the head.
Zelaya dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Masvidal is fighting off a takedown attempt but Zelaya is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Masvidal to the mat. Masvidal regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Zelaya wants to get up but he can't break Masvidal 's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Zelaya missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zelaya has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zelaya drops back looking for a leg! Masvidal is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Masvidal manages to kick Zelaya off! Zelaya jumps back into Masvidal 's guard.
Zelaya postures up in Masvidal 's guard and throws a big left but Masvidal blocks it.
Zelaya forces his way into half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zelaya seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Still in half guard, Zelaya seems content to control.
Zelaya throwing shots but Masvidal is blocking nicely.
Zelaya stands up and beckons Masvidal to join him on the feet.
Masvidal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Zelaya counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Zelaya.
Masvidal has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zelaya after a bit of a struggle.
Zelaya lands a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zelaya is pressed up against the cage. Masvidal has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zelaya down to the mat. Zelaya avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Zelaya throws a right hand that Masvidal ducks under and follows up with a left that Masvidal also avoids with ease.
Masvidal tries to counter with a takedown but Zelaya is quick to defend against it.
Zelaya slaps away a takedown attempt from Masvidal , before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masvidal shoots in and drives through. Zelaya sprawls well.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Masvidal goes for a takedown attempt but Zelaya pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Zelaya moves into range and clinches up with Masvidal .
Masvidal can't get the takedown.
Zelaya manages to break the clinch.
Zelaya throws a good cross that connects.
Masvidal has a takedown stuffed.
Masvidal shoots for a double leg takedown but Zelaya sprawls well. He's pushed Masvidal 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Masvidal displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zelaya.
Zelaya misses with a series of wild punches.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zelaya with a hook.
Zelaya takes the fight into the clinch.
Masvidal goes for a takedown attempt but Zelaya pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Masvidal dives in and grabs Zelaya's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zelaya pushes down on Masvidal 's head and hops out.
Masvidal is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zelaya sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head kick from Zelaya lands but Masvidal takes it in his stride.
Masvidal tries for a takedown but Zelaya sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zelaya throws a counter combo.
Zelaya has managed to clinch.
Nice elbow from Zelaya.
Zelaya displaying some good clinch control by pressing Masvidal up against the cage.
Zelaya stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Manny Zelaya dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zelaya throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Masvidal 's head.
Nice sprawl there from Masvidal as Zelaya shoots in.
Masvidal closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zelaya to the mat! Zelaya manages to get full guard.
Zelaya utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Masvidal has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zelaya is on top in guard.
Zelaya stops Masvidal from standing up.
Zelaya stands up from Masvidal 's guard - Zelaya perhaps looking for a knockout.
Zelaya closes the distance and pushes Masvidal back into the cage.
Zelaya gets underhooks to prevent Masvidal 's takedown attempt.
Masvidal is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Masvidal has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zelaya is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Masvidal can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Masvidal . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Masvidal can't get the takedown.
Masvidal is looking for a takedown.
Zelaya pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Masvidal shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Zelaya counters by clinching up.
Zelaya pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zelaya digs a good hook to Masvidal 's body.
Zelaya moves into the clinch.
Zelaya pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Masvidal shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Zelaya counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Zelaya pushes Masvidal back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zelaya is looking to take this one to the mat.
Zelaya is pushing Masvidal up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Zelaya is trying to maintain a safe position but Masvidal gets an underhook and turns Zelaya into the cage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zelaya has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Masvidal is trying to keep an underhook but Zelaya manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zelaya decides to return to a standing position.
Masvidal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zelaya feints the counter takedown.
Zelaya dives in and grabs Masvidal 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Masvidal pushes down on Zelaya's head and hops out.
Masvidal attempts a counter takedown but Zelaya avoids it well and moves away.
Masvidal changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zelaya tries to avoid it but Masvidal manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zelaya to the ground. Zelaya escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zelaya unleashes a big counter combination but Masvidal bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Zelaya feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Masvidal 's calf.
Masvidal gets tackled into the cage by Zelaya. Zelaya maintains the clinch.
Zelaya has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zelaya manages to break the clinch.
Zelaya scoring well with a low kick there.
Masvidal shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zelaya defends it nicely.
Zelaya throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zelaya moves into the clinch.
Masvidal is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zelaya pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The referee is keeping an eye on Zelaya - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Masvidal is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Zelaya gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Masvidal tries for a takedown but Zelaya manages to get underhooks.
Zelaya breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manny Zelaya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zelaya.
Zelaya drives through and clinches with Masvidal against the cage.
Zelaya tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zelaya breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manny Zelaya seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zelaya lands a head kick. Masvidal smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Masvidal defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zelaya.
Masvidal fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Masvidal fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As Masvidal backs off Zelaya throws a huge counter combo but Masvidal manages to avoid it all.
Zelaya throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Masvidal scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Masvidal prevents Zelaya from standing back up.
Zelaya looking for submissions off his back.
Zelaya taking some punishment here, with Masvidal in his half guard.
Zelaya 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.
Manny Zelaya showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Masvidal .
Masvidal shoots in looking for a takedown but Zelaya manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Masvidal 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Zelaya is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Zelaya swinging wildly here.
Masvidal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Masvidal . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masvidal takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Zelaya throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zelaya stalks Masvidal and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Masvidal 's face. Masvidal staggers backwards, shaken.
Masvidal shoots for a takedown but Zelaya saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masvidal avoids a punch combination nicely.
Masvidal feinted with a counter takedown.
Masvidal tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zelaya sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Masvidal somewhat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zelaya dives in for a single leg takedown but Masvidal sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Zelaya gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Masvidal has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zelaya after a bit of a struggle.
Zelaya manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Zelaya has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Masvidal clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Zelaya working for the choke.
Masvidal trying to control the position but Zelaya manages to sink in the hooks.
Masvidal is really stuck here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masvidal is working hard here to advance position.
Zelaya missing with strikes from the back.
Masvidal trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Masvidal covering up well under a series of strikes from Zelaya.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Zelaya's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zelaya looking for the RNC.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zelaya missing with strikes from the back.
Zelaya trying to control momentarily.
Masvidal tries to escape but Zelaya has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Masvidal just trying to survive but Zelaya is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Masvidal knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zelaya on the ground.
Masvidal can't escape the position.
Masvidal looking very determined here, making life difficult for Zelaya.
Zelaya keeps control of the position as Masvidal tries to break free.
Masvidal trying to control the hands but Zelaya won't let him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zelaya looking for the RNC.
Zelaya looking to break Masvidal 's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Masvidal remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Zelaya will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Manny Zelaya has got the better of the ground game so far.
I really don't envy Masvidal right now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Masvidal trying to get back to his feet but Zelaya is in full control for now.
And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Zelaya comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zelaya has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 26:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 26:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Zelaya!
Manny Zelaya took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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
48% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
