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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Araujo (ranked 1956 p4p, 86 weight class) and Nicolas Muller (ranked 551 p4p, 22 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 193 cm
28
285 lbs
15 - 13 - 0 |
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219 cm
39
282 lbs
33 - 22 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Araujo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
33 - 22 - 1, fighting out of New York, Nicolas Muller!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Yamamoto.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Araujo has a takedown stuffed.
Muller pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Araujo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Muller counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Araujo scores with a hook to the body. Muller takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Araujo tries to move into range but Muller moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice sprawl there from Muller as Araujo shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Araujo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice defenses there by Araujo.
Araujo with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muller defending well as Araujo loads up on a big left hand.
Araujo thuds his right hand into Muller's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Araujo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A jab from Muller does it's job there.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Araujo blocks a leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Muller displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Araujo.
Muller stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Muller wants it to stay on the feet.
Araujo throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Muller tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Araujo is in Muller's guard.
Araujo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Araujo tries to free his leg and advance position but Muller is retaining full guard.
Araujo throwing strikes but missing.
Muller pulls Araujo in close to prevent any damage.
Muller is trying to control the position but Araujo postures up.
Muller is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Muller utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muller preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Araujo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Araujo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Muller swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Muller pulls Araujo in to control the position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Muller is trying to control the position but Araujo postures up.
Muller keeping moving, preventing Araujo from controlling successfully.
Araujo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Araujo drops back looking for a leg! Muller is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Muller manages to kick Araujo off! Araujo jumps back into Muller's guard.
Muller pulls Araujo in close to prevent any damage.
Muller told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Araujo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Muller has his hands on Araujo's head, controlling the position.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Muller takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Horrible takedown attempt by Araujo or perhaps it was just good defense by Muller, which made it look bad.
Muller looks like he wants to counter punch here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Araujo throws a hook to the side of Muller's head but Muller sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Araujo takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Araujo throws out a powerful jab.
Nicolas Muller is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Araujo looks for a takedown but Muller sprawls well.
Muller was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Araujo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Muller instigates a clinch.
I was talking to Araujo's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Muller fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Muller pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Araujo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Araujo is trying to pull guard but Muller has him pressed against the ropes.
Muller goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Muller with a knee to the head.
It looks like Thiago Araujo has been cut.
Araujo gets control of Muller's arms and successfully pulls guard. Araujo will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Muller is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Nicolas Muller will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Thiago Araujo's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!
Muller lands a big right hand that sends Araujo crashing to the mat! Muller stays standing though and waves Araujo back to his feet!
Araujo is rocked!
Araujo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Muller defends it nicely.
Araujo goes for a double leg but Muller avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Muller continues to drive forward.
Araujo takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Araujo shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Araujo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Muller as Araujo shoots in.
Araujo staying out of range there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Araujo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Muller is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Muller has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Araujo is looking for a kimura but Muller is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Araujo to get the leverage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Muller holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Araujo is working for a submission of some sort.
Araujo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Muller doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Araujo.
Araujo is looking to stall here but Muller recovers full guard.
Araujo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Araujo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Muller slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Muller is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Araujo is controlling him.
Muller keeping full guard, as Araujo tries to pass.
Muller looking to control.
Muller is pulling down on Araujo's head. It's preventing any offense from Araujo, at least for the moment.
Araujo trying to control the position from guard on top but Muller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Araujo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Araujo passes Muller's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Thiago Araujo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Araujo wants to work for an arm triangle but Muller is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Muller is looking to improve his position.
Muller works his way to full guard. Good work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Araujo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Araujo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Araujo wants to control from the top but Muller keeps moving.
Muller keeping full guard, as Araujo tries to pass.
Araujo postures up and lands a big shot to Muller's brow.
Muller wants to stand up but Araujo is controlling him.
Araujo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Muller can't keep his opponent in guard - Araujo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Araujo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Muller is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Araujo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Araujo's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Nicolas Muller showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Thiago Araujo's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!
Muller throws a big shot that misses.
Araujo avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Thiago Araujo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Araujo drives through with a takedown into guard.
Muller has his feet on Araujo's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Muller stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Muller wants it to stay on the feet.
Araujo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A countering left hand to the body from Muller misses.
Araujo darts in looking for a takedown but Muller gets double underhooks and turns Araujo into the ropes.
Araujo misses with a body shot.
Araujo closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Muller's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Araujo tries to free his leg and advance position but Muller is retaining full guard.
Araujo is working hard here to advance position.
Araujo forces his way into half guard.
Araujo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Muller is pressing down on Araujo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Muller is pulling down on Araujo's head to control his posture.
Araujo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Araujo won't allow Muller to get back to his feet.
Araujo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Araujo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Araujo distracts Muller with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Araujo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Muller controls Araujo momentarily but Araujo frees himself.
Araujo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Muller swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Araujo is looking to work some ground and pound but Muller has wrist control.
Araujo's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Araujo trying to control but Muller is working from the bottom.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Muller.
Muller attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Araujo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Muller counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Araujo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Muller stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Muller wants it to stay on the feet.
A clash of legs there as Araujo blocks the low kick.
Muller throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nicolas Muller is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Araujo throws a poor cross that misses
and Muller counters with a nice body shot.
Araujo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Muller counters with a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Muller thows a leg kick but Araujo checks it
and Araujo counters with a single leg into guard. Muller didn't expect that.
Muller is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Muller pulls Araujo in close to prevent any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Araujo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Muller swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Araujo postures up.
Muller preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Muller keeping moving, preventing Araujo from controlling successfully.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Araujo wants to pass the guard but Muller is keeping the position.
Muller trying to control the position.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nicolas Muller.
I've got Muller winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nicolas Muller!
Nicolas Muller seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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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
39% |
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