|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Malig Mferi (ranked 324 p4p, 554 weight class) and Dave Handerson (ranked 48 p4p, 79 weight class). Handerson has chosen America - A Horse With No Name as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
 |
|
 |
| 191 cm
20
285
6 - 1 - 0 |
|
198 cm
22
255
10 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
|
Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Malig Mferi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dave Handerson!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Handerson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mferi on his heels. He'll look to pass Mferi's guard now, I'm sure.
Handerson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mferi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mferi looking for a sweep. Not yet Mferi, not yet.
Handerson is in close to Mferi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mferi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Handerson.
Handerson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mferi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mferi is controlling Handerson's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handerson lands a couple of elbows.
Handerson throws a big elbow that misses.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Handerson working his ground and pound in the gym.
Handerson wants to pass the guard but Mferi is keeping the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mferi pulls Handerson in close to his closed guard and prevents Handerson from doing any damage or advancing position.
Handerson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mferi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Handerson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mferi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Handerson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Handerson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Handerson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
That's two 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.
Handerson tries to free his leg and advance position but Mferi is retaining full guard.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Handerson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mferi but Mferi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mferi missing with a left hand there. Handerson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mferi lands with an overhand left.
Handerson missing with a left hand there. Mferi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Handerson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Handerson shoots in and drives through. Mferi sprawls well.
Mferi is looking to counter punch.
Handerson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mferi defends well and Handerson ends up having to push Mferi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Malig Mferi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Handerson.
Mferi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Handerson manages to avoid it.
A cross from Mferi lands.
Handerson avoids the body shot from Mferi.
Handerson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mferi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Handerson moves away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handerson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Handerson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Mferi explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Mferi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Mferi swings for the body but Handerson moves out of range.
Mferi misses the jab.
Handerson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mferi seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Mferi missing with a left hand there. Handerson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Handerson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mferi.
Mferi misses with a hook.
Mferi throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mferi throws a lazy right hand but Handerson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Handerson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mferi.
Handerson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mferi takes one to the side of the head.
Mferi lands with a shot to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handerson connects with the punch.
Mferi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Handerson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mferi is defending against the submission attempts here by Handerson.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Handerson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mferi defending well though.
Handerson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Handerson trying to pass the guard but Mferi defending well.
Handerson lands with a punch from half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Malig Mferi dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Handerson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mferi scores with a nice right hand.
Mferi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mferi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Handerson can do to turn this around?
Handerson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mferi on his heels. He'll look to pass Mferi's guard now, I'm sure.
Handerson 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.
Handerson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handerson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Handerson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Handerson throws a big elbow that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Handerson wants to control from the top but Mferi keeps moving.
Handerson cracks Mferi with a solid left hand.
Handerson postures up in Mferi's guard and throws a big left but Mferi blocks it.
Handerson is looking to work some ground and pound but Mferi has wrist control.
Mferi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Handerson.
Handerson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mferi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Handerson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Handerson trying to control but Mferi is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Handerson working some strikes from top position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Handerson stands up over Mferi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mferi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Handerson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Handerson looking to pass the guard.
Handerson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Handerson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mferi throws out the jab.
Handerson lands a jab to Mferi's midsection.
Handerson scores with a hook.
Handerson moves out of range as Mferi strikes.
Mferi scores with a body shot.
Mferi throws the left hand but Handerson avoids the punch easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handerson lands with an overhand left.
Handerson throws a hook but Mferi avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Mferi as Handerson shoots in.
Handerson misses with a body shot.
Malig Mferi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Handerson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A counter left hand to the body from Mferi misses its target.
Handerson dives in for a single leg takedown but Mferi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Handerson looks to throw the jab but Mferi is out of range.
Mferi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Malig Mferi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Handerson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mferi.
Handerson needs to keep his hands up - Mferi had a free shot at his head there.
Mferi connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Handerson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mferi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Handerson.
Malig Mferi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Handerson.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mferi misses with a body shot.
Handerson feints the counter takedown.
Handerson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mferi to the mat! Mferi manages to get full guard.
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!
Handerson throws an elbow that misses. Mferi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Handerson's guard. Nice move by Mferi!
Handerson is looking for a triangle but Mferi pushes his legs off easily.
Handerson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Handerson working for a triangle but Mferi defends it easily.
Mferi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Dave Handerson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Handerson is defended easily by Mferi.
Mferi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mferi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Handerson slips under a jab.
Mferi throws a looping overhand right but Handerson ducks down to avoid it.
Handerson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Handerson avoids the body shot from Mferi.
Handerson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mferi manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handerson lands a nice shot to the body.
Mferi misses with a body shot.
Handerson feints the counter takedown.
Handerson ducks under a wild hook from Mferi.
Handerson with the counter takedown but Mferi avoids it easily.
Mferi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And Handerson tries to counter it with a takedown but Mferi pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Malig Mferi is winning the standup battle so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mferi throws a body shot but no joy.
Handerson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mferi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Handerson somewhat.
Mferi just misses with a punch to the body.
Handerson shoots in and bounces Mferi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Mferi is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Mferi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Handerson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handerson takes a shot to the head.
Handerson is trying to pull guard but Mferi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Malig Mferi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dave Handerson.
Mferi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mferi misses with a looping left.
Handerson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Handerson throws a shot from downtown. Mferi moves away and avoids it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Handerson shoots in but Mferi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mferi lands a slapping body shot.
Mferi just misses with a punch to the body.
Handerson ducks under a wild hook from Mferi.
Mferi feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Handersons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A big left from Mferi misses.
Mferi lands with a good body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handerson connects with a jab.
Mferi throws a looping overhand right but Handerson ducks down to avoid it.
Mferi misses with a hook. Handerson ducked under it nicely.
Handerson with the counter takedown but Mferi avoids it easily.
Mferi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Handerson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And Handerson tries to counter it with a takedown but Mferi pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A jab from Mferi misses.
Handerson slips a jab from Mferi.
Handerson shoots in for a double leg but Mferi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Handerson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Handerson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Mferi enables Handerson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mferi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Mferi scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mferi's corner calls for a 1-2. Mferi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Mferi misses.
A jab from Mferi misses.
Mferi throws an overhand right that lands on Handerson's shoulder, as Handerson tries to avoid the shot.
Nice uppercut there from Mferi.
Handerson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Mferi!
Mferi takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Mferi is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Handerson is controlling him well.
Handerson misses with the ground and pound.
Handerson in side control, throwing shots but Mferi defends.
Mferi can't do much from the bottom here.
Mferi takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Malig Mferi clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Mferi throws a looping overhand right but Handerson ducks down to avoid it.
Handerson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Handerson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mferi is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Handerson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mferi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mferi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mferi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handerson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mferi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mferi pulls Handerson in close to prevent any damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Handerson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mferi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mferi keeping moving, preventing Handerson from controlling successfully.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
The fighters circling - Mferi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Handerson is defended easily by Mferi.
Handerson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mferi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Handerson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Handerson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mferi is not content to let Handerson control the position.
Handerson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Handerson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Mferi is not content to let Handerson control the position.
Handerson misses with the ground and pound.
Handerson throws an elbow but Mferi slips to the side and avoids it well.
Mferi tries to bench press Handerson off him but Handerson keeps the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handerson sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Mferi is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Handerson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Mferi sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Handerson trying to control the action but Mferi is working from the bottom.
Mferi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Handerson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Handerson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Handerson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mferi taking some punishment here, with Handerson in his half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Handerson lands a nice short elbow.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handerson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Handerson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mferi defending well though.
Handerson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Mferi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Handerson.
Mferi tries to get to full guard but Handerson has control of the leg.
Handerson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mferi is staying active underneath Handerson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Handerson working over Mferi with some ground and pound. Mferi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Mferi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Handerson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Dave Handerson dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Handerson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Handerson misses the shot to the body.
Handerson ducks under a wild hook from Mferi.
Handerson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mferi throws a lazy right hand but Handerson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Handerson feints the counter takedown.
Mferi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Handerson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Handerson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Handerson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mferi's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mferi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Handerson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Mferi has hold of Handerson's hands but Handerson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Dave Handerson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mferi holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mferi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Handerson.
Mferi pushes Handerson off looking to stand but Handerson dives back in and keeps control.
Handerson wants to free his trapped foot but Mferi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mferi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Handerson.
Handerson throwing shots but Mferi is blocking nicely.
Handerson wants to pass the guard but Mferi is defending well.
Mferi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Handerson.
Handerson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Handerson is nestled in close to Mferi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
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.
Mferi wants to get back to full guard.
Handerson controlling the action here.
Handerson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Handerson lands strikes from half guard.
Handerson trying to advance position but Mferi counters by regaining guard.
Handerson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mferi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Handerson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handerson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mferi.
Mferi leaves Handerson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Handerson gets the takedown into side control.
Mferi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Handerson wants to pass to mount but Mferi is defending the position.
Handerson 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.
Handerson is trying to control the action in half guard but Mferi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mferi taking some punishment here, with Handerson in his half guard.
Handerson wants to take a breather but Mferi is having none of it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handerson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Handerson thows a huge punch but Mferi dodges it nicely.
Handerson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Handerson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Handerson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mferi's head.
Handerson is working for a kimura but Mferi is defending it quite comfortably.
Handerson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that's the end of the fight!
Dave Handerson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Handerson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 47:48
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Dave Handerson!
Dave Handerson is the new heavyweight champion!
Dave Handerson decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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
45% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
