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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cheik Imbula (ranked 67 p4p, 11 weight class) and Thomas Bolleke (ranked 181 p4p, 29 weight class). Imbula comes to the cage accompanied by The Bongo Massive. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Thomas Bolleke was going to win. Let's see if he was right.
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| 185 cm
35
185 lbs
32 - 17 - 2 |
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195 cm
27
191 lbs
14 - 4 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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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
32 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cheik Imbula!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Bolleke!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Atkins and Phil Schofield.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bolleke throws an overhand right that lands on Imbula's shoulder, as Imbula tries to avoid the shot.
Imbula throws a shot to the body.
Bolleke connects with a good right hand that stumbles Imbula. Imbula circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bolleke scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Imbula works the jab nicely.
Bolleke throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Imbula counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bolleke slips under a jab from Imbula.
Bolleke swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bolleke lands a nice shot to the body.
Bolleke swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Imbula on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Imbula misses with a hook. Bolleke ducked under it nicely.
Bolleke tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Thomas Bolleke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Imbula misses the shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Bolleke.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bolleke staying out of range there.
Bolleke has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Imbula slips under a jab from Bolleke.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolleke pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Imbula defending well as Bolleke loads up on a big left hand.
A left lands for Bolleke.
Bolleke misses with an uppercut
letting Imbula counter with a right hand.
Bolleke moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bolleke throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Imbula to counter with a crisp jab.
Bolleke throws a poor cross that misses
and Imbula counters with a straight right hand.
Imbula dodges the punch combination from Bolleke.
Bolleke shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Imbula is trying to defend but Bolleke finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Imbula tries to roll over but Bolleke keeps him under control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imbula is working hard here to advance position.
Imbula has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bolleke is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bolleke wants to free his trapped foot but Imbula is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Bolleke is just content to waste time from the top position. Imbula takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Imbula tries to land a sweep but no joy.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imbula looking for a guillotine here but Bolleke defends easily.
Imbula keeping moving, preventing Bolleke from controlling successfully.
Imbula is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Imbula is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Bolleke postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Imbula is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Bolleke, into his guard.
Imbula wants to control from the top but Bolleke keeps moving.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imbula controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Imbula trying to move into half guard but instead Bolleke has managed to sweep!
We've been hearing good reports from Imbula's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Imbula is trying to control the position but Bolleke postures up.
Imbula is really struggling to control Bolleke but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Bolleke postures up in Imbula's guard and throws a big left but Imbula blocks it.
Bolleke wants to control from the top but Imbula keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Thomas Bolleke will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Bolleke takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Imbula does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bolleke getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Imbula throws a jab when Bolleke was well out of range.
Imbula misses with an uppercut
and Bolleke connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bolleke scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A punch lands to the side of Imbula 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bolleke drives through with a takedown into guard.
Imbula keeping moving, preventing Bolleke from controlling successfully.
Imbula working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bolleke.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Imbula is trying to control the position from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolleke drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Imbula dives on top into guard.
Bolleke keeping moving, preventing Imbula from controlling successfully.
Bolleke keeping full guard, as Imbula tries to pass.
Bolleke avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bolleke lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Imbula throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imbula bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bolleke's guard.
Imbula postures up.
Bolleke looking for a triangle here. Imbula is fighting it but it looks tight! Bolleke pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Imbula is tapping out - this one is all over!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Thomas Bolleke!
Thomas Bolleke is the new middleweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Thomas Bolleke 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
35% |
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