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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Bolleke (ranked 61 p4p, 11 weight class) and Cheik Imbula (ranked 171 p4p, 24 weight class). Imbula has chosen The Bongo Massive as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 195 cm
27
191 lbs
14 - 3 - 0 |
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185 cm
34
185 lbs
31 - 17 - 2 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Bolleke!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
31 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cheik Imbula!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Phil Schofield and Sam Margolis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bolleke misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bolleke moves into range and clinches up with Imbula.
Imbula tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bolleke smiles and moves away.
Bolleke misses with a body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bolleke looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Imbula looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bolleke blocks a low kick nicely.
Bolleke tries to clinch there but Imbula circles away.
Bolleke walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Imbula pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bolleke lands a nice shot to the body.
Imbula throws a leg kick but Bolleke moved away.
Imbula slips a straight right by Bolleke.
Bolleke tries for a takedown but Imbula circles away easily
and Imbula counters with a straight right hand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Imbula takes one to the side of the head.
Bolleke throws a jab but it's blocked by Imbula.
Imbula shapes to counter with a head kick.
Bolleke scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bolleke tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bolleke misses with an uppercut. Imbula saw that one coming.
Bolleke closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Bolleke working the ground and pound.
Imbula tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bolleke wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Imbula wants to control but Bolleke postures up.
Imbula tries to buck Bolleke off but Bolleke is having none of it.
Imbula manages to get back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bolleke working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bolleke thows a huge punch but Imbula dodges it nicely.
Bolleke landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Imbula is looking to improve his position.
Bolleke wants to lay and pray for a moment but Imbula keeps working.
Bolleke is looking for a kimura here.
Bolleke is trying to control. Imbula wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Imbula is pressing down on Bolleke's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imbula looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bolleke scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bolleke tries to free his leg and advance position but Imbula is retaining full guard.
Imbula wants to sweep here but Bolleke controlling him for the moment.
Bolleke slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Imbula controls Bolleke momentarily but Bolleke frees himself.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Bolleke pushes down on Imbula's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Imbula is not content to let Bolleke control the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Imbula won't allow Bolleke to pass to mount.
Bolleke working Imbula over with strikes.
Bolleke is looking to advance position but Imbula won't allow it.
Bolleke is thwarting Imbula's attempts to control the position.
Bolleke is trying to control. Imbula wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Imbula tries to get to full guard but Bolleke has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Thomas Bolleke dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Bolleke connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Bolleke throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Imbula goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bolleke tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Imbula swivels and escapes.
Imbula throws out a counter right but Bolleke avoids it with no problem.
Bolleke misses with a body shot.
Imbula swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bolleke lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A punch lands to the side of Imbula 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bolleke with a jab.
Bolleke misses with a wild body shot.
Thomas Bolleke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Imbula pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bolleke avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Bolleke is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Bolleke is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Nice uppercut there from Imbula.
Bolleke punishes Imbula's body with a nice straight punch.
Bolleke is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Imbula can do to turn this around?
Bolleke tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Imbula manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
It seemed like Imbula was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolleke slips a straight right by Imbula.
Bolleke takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Imbula feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bolleke's calf.
Bolleke bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Imbula's head backwards.
Thomas Bolleke is winning the standup battle so far.
Bolleke misses with a takedown
and Imbula connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bolleke misses with a lunging right hand
and Imbula counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bolleke just misses with a punch to the body.
Imbula buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Imbula swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bolleke blocks the body kick.
Bolleke wants to clinch up but Imbula keeps it at a distance.
Bolleke shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Imbula's guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bolleke in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Imbula is adopting a defensive guard.
Bolleke looking to sit in guard and control but Imbula gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bolleke trying to keep a closed guard but Imbula is proving a slippery customer.
Bolleke avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thomas Bolleke overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Imbula pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bolleke is keeping the position for now.
Imbula trying to control but Bolleke is working from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
My spies in The Wild Beasts Zoo inform me that Imbula has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Bolleke is trying to control the position but Imbula postures up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Imbula's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Imbula trying to control the position from guard on top but Bolleke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Imbula tries to free his leg and advance position but Bolleke is retaining full guard.
That's four 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.
Imbula trying to control but Bolleke is working from the bottom.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bolleke scores with a jab to the head.
Bolleke connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Cheik Imbula is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Imbula looks to land a right hand but Bolleke moved out of range.
Imbula scores with a nice head shot.
A swing and a miss from Bolleke.
A jab from Bolleke misses.
Imbula swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bolleke shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Imbula cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Bolleke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Imbula feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bollekes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Cheik Imbula will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Bolleke's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Bolleke lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Imbula stuffs the takedown attempt from Bolleke. Bolleke gets slowly back to his feet.
And Imbula responds with a good body kick, but Bolleke manages to step out the way in time.
Bolleke connects with a good right hand that stumbles Imbula. Imbula circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bolleke fails with a takedown attempt.
Imbula throws an overhand right that lands on Bolleke's shoulder, as Bolleke tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Bolleke throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Imbula throws a counter combo.
Imbula avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Imbula throws a solid leg kick but Bolleke takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Imbula.
Imbula jabs at Bolleke's body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Imbula.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Imbula tries to keep at a distance but Bolleke has taken the fight into the clinch.
Imbula lands with a left to the head.
Bolleke takes a shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bolleke.
A right handed body shot lands from Imbula.
Imbula swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bolleke blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bolleke tries a body shot but Imbula blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bolleke.
Imbula misses with the head strike.
Bolleke scores with a shot to the side of Imbula's head.
Imbula blocking some punches.
Bolleke working aggressively here.
Bolleke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Imbula goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Imbula.
Imbula works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imbula lands with a right to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right hook to the body lands for Imbula.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bolleke lands with a left to the head.
Imbula lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bolleke lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Imbula can't find room to land a body shot as Bolleke controls the action.
Imbula doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bolleke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Imbula blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Imbula lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Imbula tries to work over Bolleke's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Imbula scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bolleke misses with a hook from the clinch.
Imbula prevents a body shot from Bolleke.
Imbula lands with a right to the head.
Bolleke misses with some punches.
Imbula misses with the head strike.
Imbula lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Bolleke.
Imbula misses with a punch on the inside.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Imbula.
I was talking to Bolleke's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Bolleke blocks a body shot from Imbula.
Imbula blocking some punches.
Imbula lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Imbula blocking some punches.
Imbula working aggressively here.
Bolleke scores with a nice hook to the head.
Imbula stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Imbula fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bolleke works on Imbula's body with a couple of short punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bolleke.
Imbula takes a shot to the head.
Imbula throws a punch but it's blocked by Bolleke.
Imbula stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Imbula swings wildly with an uppercut but Bolleke uses good head movement to avoid it.
Imbula is working Bolleke over against the cage.
Imbula makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bolleke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Imbula lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bolleke misses with a punch on the inside.
Imbula pushes Bolleke back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Imbula swings wildly with an uppercut but Bolleke uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Imbula.
Bolleke lands with a right to the head.
Bolleke working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bolleke tries a body shot but Imbula blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bolleke.
Imbula blocks an uppercut.
Bolleke doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cheik Imbula seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bolleke.
Imbula gets through Bolleke's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Imbula working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Imbula working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bolleke misses with a hook from the clinch.
Imbula misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Cheik Imbula really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Imbula throws a body kick that misses.
Bolleke lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Imbula circles away quickly and effectively.
Bolleke has his takedown stuffed
and Imbula counters with a straight right hand.
Imbula cracks a nice hook into Bolleke's ribs.
Imbula lands with an uppercut that bounces Bolleke off the cage and back into range.
Bolleke loads up on a big right hand but Imbula slips the punch.
Imbula takes one to the side of the head.
Imbula throws a solid leg kick but Bolleke takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Imbula.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imbula rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bolleke counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bolleke moves to clinch but Imbula breaks away
letting Imbula counter with a right hand.
Bolleke is rocked!
Bolleke swings widly with a right hand
and Imbula counters with a thumping low kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolleke rushes Imbula and presses him up against the cage.
Imbula tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bolleke's elbow.
Imbula blocking some punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Imbula.
Oh Bolleke is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bolleke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bolleke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Imbula throws a big uppercut that drops Bolleke! More strikes from Imbula and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Bolleke lies dazed against the cage as Imbula celebrates with his cornermen!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Cheik Imbula!
Cheik Imbula is the new middleweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Cheik Imbula thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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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
54% |
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