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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Futeran (ranked 3159 p4p, 4347 weight class) and Tiaoali Lvavatai (ranked 324 p4p, 402 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Futeran might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Jesus Christ Superstar. The crowd seem to be enjoying Lvavatai 's choice of entrance music: Journey. 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.
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| 176 cm
24
146
7 - 8 - 0 |
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171 cm
24
144
4 - 6 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Joseph Futeran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tiaoali Lvavatai !
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Steven Brown and James Ackerman.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice jab there from Lvavatai .
Lvavatai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lvavatai feints the counter takedown.
Futeran misses with a hook. Lvavatai ducked under it nicely.
Lvavatai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Futeran circles away quickly and effectively.
Lvavatai connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nice defenses there by Lvavatai .
Lvavatai misses with a wild combination.
Futeran throws an overhand right that lands on Lvavatai 's shoulder, as Lvavatai tries to avoid the shot.
Futeran thuds his right hand into Lvavatai 's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Futeran looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lvavatai lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Futeran fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lvavatai , pushing him back against the cage.
We've been hearing reports that Futeran has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Futeran has him pressed against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lvavatai tries to pull guard but Futeran won't allow it.
Futeran lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Futeran tries to stall but Lvavatai uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Futeran presses Lvavatai against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lvavatai blocks a body shot from Futeran.
Futeran stalling.
Lvavatai blocks an uppercut.
Futeran tries to work over Lvavatai 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lvavatai fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Joseph Futeran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiaoali Lvavatai .
Futeran lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Lvavatai manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Lvavatai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Futeran.
Futeran wants to control from the top but Lvavatai keeps moving.
Futeran thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lvavatai is on top in guard.
Futeran controlling the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai wants to pass the guard but Futeran is keeping the position.
Futeran keeping moving, preventing Lvavatai from controlling successfully.
Futeran has his hands on Lvavatai 's head, controlling the position.
Lvavatai drops back, looking for a kneebar! Futeran looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Futeran looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Futeran!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai is trying to control Futeran's posture but Futeran avoids it.
Futeran working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Check out the look on Futeran's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Lvavatai is looking to regain half guard here but Futeran keeps moving and retains side control.
Futeran throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Futeran wants to control but Lvavatai is keeping him busy.
Lvavatai tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Futeran wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Futeran wants to control but Lvavatai is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lvavatai tries to buck Futeran off but Futeran is having none of it.
Futeran trying to control the position but Lvavatai is working away.
Futeran throws a strike aimed at the side of Lvavatai 's head but Lvavatai avoids it well.
Futeran is working Lvavatai over with some ground and pound from side control.
Lvavatai is looking for a sweep.
Lvavatai is trying to escape the position but Futeran is controlling the position.
Lvavatai struggling a bit here.
Futeran moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Joseph Futeran dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Futeran moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Futeran throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lvavatai drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Futeran defends it well.
Lvavatai slips under a jab.
Futeran just misses with a punch to the body.
Futeran uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lvavatai .
Joseph Futeran seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Futeran has closed the distance and engaged Lvavatai in a clinch.
Lvavatai fails to pull guard.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Futeran breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good shot there by Futeran.
Lvavatai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Futeran takes one on the button.
Futeran is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lvavatai can do to turn this around?
Futeran takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tiaoali Lvavatai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice defenses there by Futeran.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Futeran staying out of range there.
Futeran misses with a straight left.
Lvavatai thumps Futeran with a low kick.
Futeran throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Lvavatai .
Lvavatai defending well as Futeran loads up on a big left hand.
Lvavatai feints the counter takedown.
Futeran misses with a few strikes there.
Futeran misses with a looping right.
Futeran throws a hook but Lvavatai avoids it easily.
And Lvavatai tries to counter it with a takedown but Futeran pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Futeran uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Futeran fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Lvavatai is out of range.
Futeran just misses with a punch to the body.
Futeran throws a body shot but no joy.
Lvavatai misses with a hook.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Futeran throws a solid leg kick but Lvavatai takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Futeran.
Futeran has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lvavatai finds it's way round the side to connect with Futeran's head.
Futeran buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Futeran closes the distance and clinches.
Lvavatai tries to pull guard but Futeran won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Lvavatai blocks an uppercut.
Lvavatai jumps guard but Futeran stands there with Lvavatai around his waist. Lvavatai gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Joseph Futeran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiaoali Lvavatai .
Lvavatai blocks a body shot from Futeran.
Lvavatai manages to pull guard.
Futeran got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lvavatai has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Futeran has managed to get both his arms back between Lvavatai 's legs - danger averted.
Lvavatai keeping moving, preventing Futeran from controlling successfully.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Futeran doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Futeran manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lvavatai keeping moving, preventing Futeran from controlling successfully.
Lvavatai is pulling down on Futeran's head. It's preventing any offense from Futeran, at least for the moment.
Futeran lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Futeran working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Joseph Futeran overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Futeran trying to control but Lvavatai is working from the bottom.
Lvavatai working a defensive guard here.
Futeran has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Futeran working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Futeran sitting in guard here, content to control.
Futeran is looking to work some ground and pound but Lvavatai has wrist control.
Lvavatai looking to control.
Futeran with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Futeran throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lvavatai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Futeran.
Futeran wants to control from the top but Lvavatai keeps moving.
Lvavatai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Futeran is one step ahead there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Joseph Futeran dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Lvavatai moves away from the strike by Futeran.
Lvavatai scores with a decent looking hook.
A nice leg kick from Lvavatai , right into the meat of the thigh.
Lvavatai throws out a loose jab but Futeran uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lvavatai connects with a crisp jab.
Futeran pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Futeran throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Futeran avoids the head kick by Lvavatai .
Futeran tried to counter with a leg kick but Lvavatai avoided it.
Futeran ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Futeran misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Futeran tries a low kick but Lvavatai avoids it.
Futeran has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Futeran there as he acknowledges the shot.
Futeran misses with a straight right.
Futeran throws a head kick but Lvavatai moves out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lvavatai moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Futeran takes the fight into the clinch.
Lvavatai tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Lvavatai fails to pull guard.
Lvavatai fails to pull guard.
Joseph Futeran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiaoali Lvavatai .
Lvavatai jumps guard but Futeran stands there with Lvavatai around his waist. Lvavatai gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Futeran to keep the fight standing.
Good body shot from Futeran.
Futeran digs a right hand into Lvavatai 's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lvavatai 's gas tank.
Lvavatai jumps guard but Futeran turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Joseph Futeran has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right from Futeran.
Futeran tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lvavatai 's elbow.
Lvavatai tries to pull guard but Futeran forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Futeran to keep the fight standing.
Lvavatai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Futeran has him pressed against the cage.
Lvavatai fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Futeran makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Futeran tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lvavatai tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Futeran smiles and moves away.
Futeran throws a body shot but no joy.
And Lvavatai tries to counter it with a takedown but Futeran pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Futeran has Lvavatai up against the cage in a clinch.
Futeran lands a nice shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lvavatai tries to pull guard but Futeran won't allow it.
Lvavatai tries to pull guard but Futeran forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Futeran breaks the clinch.
Futeran clinches with his opponent.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Futeran has him pressed against the cage.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Futeran turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Futeran has Lvavatai pressed against the cage.
Futeran stalling in the clinch.
Futeran manages to break the clinch.
Futeran pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Futeran pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Lvavatai with the counter takedown but Futeran avoids it easily.
Futeran misses with a straight right.
Futeran sizes up Lvavatai with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Futeran lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lvavatai at a distance.
Lvavatai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Futeran misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And Lvavatai tries to counter it with a takedown but Futeran pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Futeran misses the jab.
Lvavatai feints the counter takedown.
Joseph Futeran is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Futeran cracks a nice hook into Lvavatai 's ribs.
Lvavatai uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Futeran.
Futeran scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Futeran sizes up Lvavatai with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Futeran forces Lvavatai back against the cage and clinches.
A hook to the body from Futeran.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Futeran gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
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!
Lvavatai fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Futeran tries to land knees in the clinch but Lvavatai avoids the damage to the body.
Lvavatai tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Lvavatai fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A body shot lands from Futeran.
Futeran struggles to land a body shot inside as Lvavatai controls his hands.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Futeran turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Lvavatai tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Futeran smiles and moves away.
Lvavatai misses with a looping left.
Lvavatai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Futeran.
Futeran gets a clinch.
Tiaoali Lvavatai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lvavatai drags the fight down to the ground.
And that's the end of the fight!
Joseph Futeran showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Futeran has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joseph Futeran!
During a confident post fight interview, Joseph Futeran 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
45% |
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