|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nick Shamrock (ranked 2 p4p, 1 weight class) and Zang Zhai (ranked 109 p4p, 11 weight class). Shamrock's entrance music is One Winged Angel by The Black Mages. A fine choice. Zhai has chosen Sampans as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.
|
|
|
170 cm
32
148 lbs
28 - 3 - 0 |
|
169 cm
35
146 lbs
27 - 17 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
|
Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world! Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of
28 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Nick Shamrock! And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
27 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Zang Zhai! The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Robert Douchet and Alec Ball.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Zhai avoids the body shot from Shamrock.
Zhai swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made. Shamrock keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Shamrock fakes a jab and scores with a low kick. Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Shamrock, as that shot connected.
Shamrock connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Zhai's hands. Good work by Zhai as he checks the leg kick. Zhai stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Shamrock. Shamrock lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zhai throws a body shot but no joy. Zhai throws the kick towards the body but Shamrock avoids it. Shamrock throws a hook but Zhai avoids it easily. Shamrock has been working on his boxing with his coaches at ~T~ Troid - Gym in the buildup to the fight. Zhai throws out a loose jab but Shamrock uses good head movement to avoid it. A little feinted left hand from Shamrock on the counter but he doesn't commit to it. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Shamrock throws a low kick but Zhai avoids it. Zhai moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross. Shamrock dips to his left and cracks Zhai with an uppercut! Shamrock looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhai is just out of range. We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Decent striking displayed by Shamrock there.
That's one minute gone in the round. Shamrock takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
It looks like Nick Shamrock has been cut. A looping hook to the body misses from Zhai. Shamrock does a little dance to reset his feet. Zhai delivers a nice body kick. Shamrock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A shot to the liver by Shamrock. Beautiful body shot. Shamrock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zhai moves away. Shamrock throws a body shot but no joy. And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zhai! But no joy. Shamrock ducks under a wild hook from Zhai. Zhai throws a body kick but he wasn't in range. Shamrock bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zhai's head backwards. Zhai gets a clinch. Shamrock is trying to break the clinch but Zhai is controlling him. Still in the clinch, Zhai scores with a nice short uppercut. Zhai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zhai prevents Shamrock from breaking the clinch. Shamrock wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee. Shamrock prevents a body shot from Zhai.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Zhai misses with a hook from the clinch. Shamrock has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate. Zhai misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zhai misses with a punch on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Zhai tries to work over Shamrock's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. Shamrock prevents a body shot from Zhai. Shamrock is trying to break the clinch but Zhai is controlling him. Shamrock breaks from the clinch.
A shot to the liver by Shamrock. Beautiful body shot. A left lands for Shamrock. Zhai defending well as Shamrock loads up on a big left hand. Shamrock uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zhai. A swing and a miss from Shamrock. Zhai has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight. Zhai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land. Zhai takes one to the chin there. Shamrock turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick. Zhai works Shamrock's body with a nice hook.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Zhai takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Shamrock with a body punch. A glancing blow. A looping hook to the body misses from Shamrock. Zhai does a little dance to reset his feet. Shamrock misses with a hook to the body
and Zhai counters with a nice low kick that buckles Shamrock's knee momentarily. Shamrock jabs at Zhai's body. Shamrock cracks Zhai with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd. Shamrock misses with a wild body shot. Shamrock lands the left hand. Shamrock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zhai moves away. Shamrock swings for the body but Zhai moves out of range.
Shamrock backing away here, and Zhai unleashes a leg kick that just misses. Shamrock lands a slapping body shot.
Shamrock walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Zhai checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side. Shamrock throws a shot from downtown. Zhai moves away and avoids it. Zhai only half commits to the counter leg kick. Nick Shamrock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. Shamrock feints a jab promting Zhai to slip. Shamrock then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Zhai slips again and ducks right into an uppercut. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Shamrock connects with a body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Shamrock clobbers Zhai with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise. Shamrock thows a left - swing and a miss! Shamrock walks into a stiff left hand from Zhai. Shamrock connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe. Shamrock checks a low kick from Zhai. Shamrock checks a low kick from Zhai. Shamrock is really peppering his opponent's head with punches. A telegraphed right hand from Shamrock misses the target. Zhai swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made. Shamrock slips under a jab from Zhai. A quick step to the side and Shamrock tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect. Shamrock throws a poor cross that misses
and Zhai counters with a straight right hand. Shamrock scores with a jab to the head.
Zhai slips a straight right by Shamrock. Zhai steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Shamrock. Zhai takes a body punch but keeps moving. The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end. Shamrock cracks the inside of Zhai's front leg. Shamrock bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes. Shamrock lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Nick Shamrock dominated that round. The cut man is working on Nick Shamrock's cut. That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Zhai takes a body punch but keeps moving. Shamrock throws a body punch but Zhai moves out of range. Zhai is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Shamrock with a body shot. Shamrock throws a jab when Zhai was well out of range. A little jabbing left from Zhai on the counter but it doesn't find it's target. Zhai staying out of range there. Jab from Zhai. A big left from Shamrock misses. Zhai cracks the inside of Shamrock's front leg. Shamrock is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zhai can do to turn this around? Shamrock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhai.
Shamrock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhai manages to avoid it. Shamrock misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Zhai counters with a lovely straight right hand! Nice straight punches there by Shamrock. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Shamrock. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Shamrock lands a body shot.
Shamrock lands with an uppercut that bounces Zhai off the cage and back into range. Shamrock connects with a nice looking jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Shamrock misses with a wild body shot. Zhai fails in his attempt to clinch. Shamrock throwing a counter right hand but Zhai manages to avoid it. Nick Shamrock is winning the standup battle so far.
That's one minute gone in the round. Zhai motions for Shamrock to come forward. Zhai throws a leg kick but it misses it's target. Shamrock scores with a decent looking hook. Shamrock wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection. Zhai chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Shamrock can pounce on him.
Shamrock lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head. Shamrock feints and then cracks Zhai's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zhai down. Shamrock connects with a leg kick. Zhai looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it. Shamrock throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zhai on the side of the head. Zhai misses with a hook. Zhai takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Zhai in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off. Shamrock lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head. Shamrock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhai manages to avoid it. Zhai raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick. Shamrock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zhai moves away. Shamrock moves out of range of the leg kick from Zhai. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Shamrock throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Shamrock tests Zhai's chin there with a solid looking shot. Zhai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shamrock. Nice body punch from Shamrock. Shamrock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhai.
Zhai's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down. Shamrock chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Shamrock lands a jab to the head.
A low kick from Shamrock misses and Zhai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw. Shamrock looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhai is just out of range. Shamrock swings for the body but Zhai moves out of range.
Zhai takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zhai moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot. Zhai throws the left hand but Shamrock avoids the punch easily. Zhai connects with a single shot there. Nice body punch from Shamrock. Shamrock fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zhai on the side of the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Shamrock throws a leg kick but Zhai sees it coming and moves out of range. Shamrock is looking to score with low kicks. And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zhai! But no joy. Shamrock on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Shamrock keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Zhai throws a jab but it's blocked by Shamrock. Zhai has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye. Shamrock misses the body punch and Zhai counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt. Shamrock swings for the body but Zhai moves out of range.
Shamrock throws a leg kick but Zhai checks it. And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zhai! But no joy. Shamrock misses with a wild body shot. Zhai avoids a low kick by using good footwork. And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zhai! But no joy. Some bone on bone action there as Zhai checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one. Shamrock changes levels and scores with a jab to the body. Zhai takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming. Shamrock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhai now looks to counter with a shot at the body. Shamrock misses with a right hand and Zhai counters with a straight right hand.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Shamrock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhai.
Zhai misses the shot to the body. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Shamrock wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection. Shamrock throws a leg kick but Zhai sees it coming and moves out of range. Zhai pivots, looking for a leg kick but Shamrock is out of range and Zhai settles back down. Zhai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shamrock.
Zhai steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect. Shamrock dips down and scores with a jab to the body. Jab from Shamrock. Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Shamrock, as that shot connected.
Zhai pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way. Shamrock throws a body punch but Zhai moves out of range. The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end. Shamrock fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done. A slapping leg kick lands for Shamrock.
Shamrock misses with a low kick as Zhai jumps back. Zhai scores with a nice strike. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Nick Shamrock dominated that second round. The cut man is working on Nick Shamrock's cut. The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Zhai takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Zhai takes a jab right on the kisser.
Zhai takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Shamrock tries to score with a low kick but Zhai moves his leg out of the way. Shamrock jabbing away but nothing is landing. Shamrock throws a sloppy body shot
and Zhai counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena. Shamrock lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh. Shamrock uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook. Shamrock will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Shamrock bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zhai's head. Shamrock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zhai moves away. Shamrock lands a nice hook to Zhai's body. Zhai takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes. A slapping leg kick lands for Zhai.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Shamrock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhai was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamrock. A countering left hand to the body from Zhai misses. Zhai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
That's one minute gone in the round. Zhai misses with a jab to the body
and Shamrock counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body. Shamrock throws a shot to the body.
Shamrock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhai was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamrock. Shamrock scoring well with a low kick there.
Shamrock misses with a left hand enabling Zhai to counter with a crisp jab. Shamrock throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd. Shamrock avoids the head kick by Zhai.
A counter left hand to the body from Shamrock misses its target. Shamrock tries to land a leg kick but Zhai saw it coming and moves away.
Zhai throws out a counter right but Shamrock avoids it with no problem. Zhai moves into range and lands a nice leg kick. Shamrock throws a lazy uppercut
and Zhai counters with a thumping low kick. A left lands for Zhai. Shamrock misses with a hook
and Zhai counters with a lovely straight right hand! The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Zhai feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Shamrock's calf. Zhai on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere. Shamrock works the jab nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Shamrock looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A low kick from Shamrock misses and Zhai counters with a straight right hand. Shamrock scores with the left hand. Zhai knows he should have avoided that one. Nice uppercut lands for Shamrock. That snapped Zhai's head back.
Zhai defending well as Shamrock loads up on a big left hand. Zhai throws a low kick but it's checked well by Shamrock. Zhai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shamrock. A telegraphed right hand from Shamrock misses the target. Shamrock misses with a body punch
and Zhai counters with an inside leg kick. Shamrock throws an overhand right that lands on Zhai's shoulder, as Zhai tries to avoid the shot. Shamrock takes one on the button. Shamrock scores with the left hand. Zhai knows he should have avoided that one. Zhai takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket. Shamrock jabs Zhai right on the nose. Zhai blinks but takes it well.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Zhai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shamrock throws out the jab. Shamrock thuds his right hand into Zhai's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters. Shamrock tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him. Nice defenses there by Shamrock. The fighters circling - Shamrock throws out the jab but it was never going to land. Zhai looks like he wants to counter punch here. Zhai takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh. Shamrock moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination. Shamrock checks a leg kick nicely. Zhai slips under a jab. Zhai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shamrock changes levels and scores with a jab to the body. Shamrock looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhai is just out of range. Zhai looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it. Zhai takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch. Shamrock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zhai.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Zhai needs to keep his hands up - Shamrock had a free shot at his head there. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Zhai feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Shamrock's calf. Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zhai, right into the meat.
Shamrock throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land. Zhai let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land. Shamrock connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe. A swing and a miss from Shamrock. Zhai counters with a body kick. Shamrock throws a front kick aimed at Zhai's knee but Zhai avoids it well. Shamrock on the wrong end of a nice hook. Shamrock scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent. A slapping leg kick lands for Shamrock.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end. Zhai walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush. Zhai looks to land a body kick but Shamrock moved away. It looked like Shamrock wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit. Shamrock punishes Zhai's body with a nice straight punch. Zhai bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Nick Shamrock clearly takes that round. The cut man is working on Nick Shamrock's cut. The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Shamrock digs a good hook to Zhai's body.
Shamrock connects with a body shot that sends Zhai's belly button to the back. Zhai lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range. Shamrock comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range. Shamrock connects with a solid leg kick. Zhai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shamrock swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zhai. Zhai throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shamrock sees it coming and avoids it easily. Zhai blocks a jab. Shamrock throws a jab but it's blocked by Zhai. Zhai now looks to counter with a shot at the body. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Zhai checks a leg kick. Shamrock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zhai moves away. Shamrock attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin. Zhai avoids the body shot from Shamrock.
Shamrock dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round. Zhai lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin. Shamrock keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zhai throws a hook to the side of Shamrock's head but Shamrock sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully. That kick from Shamrock tenderised Zhai's leg. Zhai is trying to keep his angry face on. Shamrock throws out a loose jab but Zhai uses good head movement to avoid it. Shamrock swings for the body but Zhai moves out of range.
A shot to the liver by Shamrock. Beautiful body shot. Zhai takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch. Decent striking displayed by Shamrock there. Shamrock fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zhai has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage. Zhai uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shamrock. Zhai looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it. Shamrock moves out of range as Zhai strikes. Good standup being displayed there by Zhai as he connects with a hook. Zhai is looking to land body kicks.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Shamrock connects with a body shot. Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Shamrock misses with a hook. Shamrock pushing out the jab but it's not landing. Zhai flicks out a counter leg kick but Shamrock steps away. Zhai lands with a straight right. Shamrock didn't see that one coming. Shamrock throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land. Zhai throws out a counter right but Shamrock avoids it with no problem. Shamrock throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zhai pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way. Shamrock throws a low kick but Zhai avoids it. Shamrock connects with a solid leg kick. Zhai ducks under a wild hook from Shamrock. Zhai was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind. Shamrock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhai was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamrock. Shamrock with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Zhai blocks a jab. Shamrock throws a lazy uppercut
and Zhai counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three minutes gone in the round. A big right from Shamrock misses. Zhai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shamrock. Shamrock lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh. Zhai uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shamrock. Shamrock changes levels and scores with a jab to the body. Zhai throws a big shot that misses. Shamrock scores with a slapping inside leg kick. Zhai throws the kick towards the body but Shamrock avoids it. Zhai ducks under a wild hook from Shamrock. Zhai looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it. An attempted straight right counter from Shamrock misses the target. Zhai misses with a hook. Shamrock ducked under it nicely. Zhai misses with a body kick. Shamrock lands with a thumping leg kick.
Shamrock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhai.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Shamrock throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shamrock will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Shamrock throws a hook but Zhai avoids it easily. Zhai ducks under a wild hook from Shamrock. Shamrock throws a shot from downtown. Zhai moves away and avoids it. Zhai connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shamrock's hands. Zhai drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Shamrock misses with a leg kick. And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zhai! But no joy. Shamrock lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise. Zhai stuns Shamrock with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range. Shamrock jabs at Zhai's body. Zhai takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it. Shamrock connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Zhai's hands. Zhai tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Nick Shamrock had his way with Zang Zhai in that round. The cut man is working on Nick Shamrock's cut. The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Zhai digs a good hook to Shamrock's body.
Shamrock jabs Zhai right on the nose. Zhai blinks but takes it well. Zhai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion. Shamrock scores with a slapping inside leg kick. A punch lands to the side of Shamrock 's head but he takes it in his stride. Zhai checks a low kick from Shamrock. Shamrock looks to land a right hand but Zhai moved out of range. Shamrock swings for the body but Zhai moves out of range.
Shamrock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhai.
Zhai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shamrock moves away. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Shamrock ducks right into an uppercut from Zhai. Shamrock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zhai moves away. Shamrock with a nice cross. Shamrock walks forward, straight into a front kick from Zhai.
That's one minute gone in the round. Zhai takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Shamrock paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button. Shamrock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhai.
Zhai takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it. Zhai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zhai checks a low kick from Shamrock. Shamrock looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Shamrock connects with a crisp jab. Zhai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shamrock. Shamrock chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Shamrock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhai was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamrock. The fighters circling - Shamrock throws out the jab but it was never going to land. Zhai throws a leg kick but Shamrock sees it coming and moves out of range. Shamrock cracks Zhai with a right hand to the side of the head.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Zhai tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him. Zhai slips a straight right by Shamrock. Shamrock throws a leg kick that is checked and Zhai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Shamrock thumps Zhai with a low kick. Shamrock swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target. Shamrock shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down. Zhai swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made. Zhai avoids the body shot from Shamrock.
Shamrock takes a swing at Zhai's ribcage but misses. Zhai throws the left hand but Shamrock avoids the punch easily. A good leg kick by Shamrock. Zhai throws a solid leg kick but Shamrock takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Zhai. A big right from Zhai misses. Shamrock tried to counter with a leg kick but Zhai avoided it. Shamrock lands a nice looking body shot.
Zhai throws a push kick but Shamrock slaps the foot to one side.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Zhai takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming. Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zhai.
Shamrock jabs Zhai to the body, keeping him at a distance. Shamrock feints and then cracks Zhai's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zhai down. Shamrock looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhai is just out of range. Shamrock throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zhai sees it coming and avoids it easily. Zang Zhai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here! Shamrock swings and misses with a shot to the body and Shamrock takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles. Shamrock throws a quick inside leg kick. Zhai misses with a looping left. Shamrock swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zhai. Zhai drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles. Zhai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body. Zhai uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shamrock.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Jab by Shamrock. This has been an exciting period of action! Shamrock comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range. Shamrock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A clash of legs there as Shamrock blocks the low kick. Shamrock's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zhai under the eye. Shamrock stuns Zhai with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range. Shamrock lands a really nice looking cross but Zhai seems unphased.
Shamrock's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zhai under the eye. Shamrock throws a sloppy body shot
and Zhai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button. Shamrock scores with a punch to the head. Shamrock lunges at Zhai with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zhai's hand. Shamrock lands a body shot.
Zhai misses with a low kick.
Zhai stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Shamrock.
And that's the end of the fight! Nick Shamrock showed his dominance in that final round. Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shamrock, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision. Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 50:45 Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 50:45 Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 50:45
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Shamrock! Nick Shamrock retains his featherweight title! Nick Shamrock decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
81% |
|
|
|
|
|
|