|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abdullah Zaire (ranked 1264 p4p, 1909 weight class) and Matt Askren (ranked 182 p4p, 269 weight class). 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.
 |
|
 |
| 189 cm
29
202
4 - 3 - 1 |
|
175 cm
31
180
13 - 2 - 2 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible |
|
Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
|
| |
|
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 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abdullah Zaire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 2, fighting out of London, Matt Askren!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Albert Achterberg and Saam Ante.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut there from Zaire.
Zaire throws a push kick but Askren slaps the foot to one side.
Askren throws an overhand right that lands on Zaire's shoulder, as Zaire tries to avoid the shot.
Zaire fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Askren looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Zaire dips to his left and cracks Askren with an uppercut!
We've been told by Zaire's head coaches at The Rubber Guard Emporium that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Zaire keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Askren scores with a nice head shot.
Askren looks to land a right hand but Zaire moved out of range.
It looked like Zaire wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaire clinches up with Askren and pushes him back against the cage.
Askren stalls.
Askren blocks an uppercut.
Zaire pushes Askren back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zaire is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaire swings wildly with an uppercut but Askren uses good head movement to avoid it.
Askren lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zaire backwards.
Askren prevents a body shot from Zaire.
Askren controlling the action here for a moment.
A head punch on the inside from Zaire fails to land.
Askren scores with a nice hook to the head.
Askren looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Askren blocks a body shot from Zaire.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Askren.
Zaire blocks an uppercut.
Askren has a couple of punches blocked by Zaire.
Askren blocks a body shot from Zaire.
Askren blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zaire's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zaire tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zaire misses with a hook from the clinch.
Askren throws a head punch that misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire working aggressively here.
A left hand lands to the body for Zaire.
Still in the clinch, Askren scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zaire blocking some punches.
Askren misses with a punch on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaire goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Askren misses with the head strike.
Askren blocks an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Zaire.
Askren is trying to stall.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zaire creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Askren pushes Zaire back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Askren lands a left hand.
A head punch on the inside from Zaire fails to land.
Zaire working aggressively here.
Zaire blocks an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Zaire.
Zaire misses with some punches.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Askren.
Zaire misses with some punches.
The referee is keeping an eye on Zaire - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Askren effectively controlling the action here.
Zaire tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Askren's elbow.
Askren lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zaire backwards.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Askren as Zaire tries to tie him up.
Zaire tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Askren lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Askren stalls.
Zaire can't find room to land a body shot as Askren controls the action.
Zaire tries a body shot but Askren blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Askren.
Askren lands with a short shot to the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren trying to control the position but instead, Zaire has worked for underhooks and has pushed Askren into the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Zaire misses with a punch to the body.
Askren blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zaire misses with a short punch on the inside.
Askren blocks a body shot from Zaire.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zaire.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Askren.
Askren throws a head punch that misses.
Zaire tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Askren's elbow.
A short uppercut from Zaire.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Askren blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Askren blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zaire misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zaire.
Zaire struggles to land a body shot inside as Askren controls his hands.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Abdullah Zaire will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!
Askren throws a good cross that connects.
Askren keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Askren cracks Zaire with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Zaire avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice shot by Askren.
Zaire walks into a stiff left hand from Askren.
Jab from Askren.
Zaire takes a swing at Askren's ribcage but misses.
Askren avoids the head kick by Zaire.
Askren throws the left hand but Zaire avoids the punch easily.
Matt Askren seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zaire throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zaire slips under a jab from Askren.
Askren connects with a jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Askren does it's job there.
Askren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaire.
Askren bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zaire's head.
Askren loads up on a big right hand but Zaire slips the punch.
Zaire was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Zaire throws a big shot that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Askren! But no joy.
Askren keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Askren tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Zaire feints and then cracks Askren's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Askren down.
Askren misses with an uppercut. Zaire saw that one coming.
Zaire is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Askren swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zaire.
Zaire misses with a wild body shot.
Zaire misses with a kick to the body.
Askren cracks a nice hook into Zaire's ribs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire throws a good cross that connects.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big left from Askren misses.
Askren moves out of range of the body kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Askren darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Askren connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Askren misses with a looping left.
An attempted straight right counter from Zaire misses the target.
Zaire avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice shot by Askren.
Askren looks to land a right hand but Zaire moved out of range.
Zaire lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Askren misses with a left hand
and Zaire counters with a straight right hand.
Askren clobbers Zaire with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Askren throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaire staying out of range there.
Nice shot lands for Askren.
Askren missing with a left hand there. Zaire was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zaire misses the jab.
Askren with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Zaire to score with a decent uppercut.
Askren misses with an uppercut.
Zaire appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Donk. Zaire catches Askren right on the button with a cross.
Zaire walks into a left hand.
Askren throws a jab when Zaire was well out of range.
Askren stuns Zaire with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Askren smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Zaire stuffs the takedown.
A counter left hand to the body from Zaire misses its target.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Askren chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zaire can pounce on him.
Zaire is looking to clinch but Askren is avoiding it.
Askren missing with a left hand there. Zaire was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Askren swings widly with a right hand
and Zaire cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Askren connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zaire defending well as Askren loads up on a big left hand.
Askren bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Askren swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zaire.
Askren swings for the body but Zaire moves out of range.
Zaire goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zaire forces Askren back against the cage and clinches.
Zaire lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Matt Askren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!
Good leg kick by Zaire.
Zaire has closed the distance and engaged Askren in a clinch.
Askren controlling the action here for a moment.
A short right from Askren.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zaire.
Zaire misses with a punch to the body.
Askren throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zaires head.
Zaire misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zaire creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Zaire fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaire misses with a punch on the inside.
Askren blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zaire doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Askren throws a head punch that misses.
Zaire tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zaire tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren blocking some punches.
Zaire scores with a shoulder strike.
Askren is stalling here.
Zaire lands an uppercut.
Askren has a couple of punches blocked by Zaire.
Zaire is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A right hand to the body from Zaire.
Zaire blocking some punches.
Zaire tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Askren.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Askren.
Askren lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Zaire fails to land.
Zaire throws a punch but it's blocked by Askren.
Askren swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zaire takes a shot to the head.
Askren swings wildly with an uppercut but Zaire uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abdullah Zaire has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Zaire blocks a punch to the side of the head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zaire works on Askren's body with a couple of short punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zaire misses with the head strike.
Zaire swings wildly with an uppercut but Askren uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zaire throws a punch but it's blocked by Askren.
Zaire blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Askren fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zaire throws a head punch that misses.
Askren throws a head punch that misses.
Askren blocks an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Zaire.
Zaire misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zaire tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zaire can't find room to land a body shot as Askren controls the action.
A short right from Askren on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Askren throws a head punch that misses.
A short left from Askren.
Askren throws a head punch that misses.
Askren misses with a punch on the inside.
Zaire tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Askren's elbow.
Askren will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Zaire up against the cage.
A short right from Zaire.
Zaire softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zaire goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zaire tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zaire lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Askren.
Askren dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaire looking to slow down the pace here.
Zaire throws a head punch that misses.
Zaire fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zaire throws a punch but it's blocked by Askren.
Zaire struggles to land a body shot inside as Askren controls his hands.
Askren lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Zaire lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Askren backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stalling in the clinch from Askren.
Zaire misses with a punch to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Askren.
Zaire misses with the head strike.
Askren lands a shoulder strike.
Askren tries to stall but Zaire uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
And that's the end of the fight!
Abdullah Zaire showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zaire has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Abdullah Zaire!
A relieved looking Abdullah Zaire thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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
62% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
