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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wang Jang Jai (ranked 251 p4p, 357 weight class) and Baariq Taïa (ranked 15 p4p, 7 weight class). Jang Jai comes to the cage accompanied by Snake Shadow. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.
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| 190 cm
36
265
32 - 14 - 0 |
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198 cm
31
258
15 - 6 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Olympic 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 32 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Wang Jang Jai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Baariq Taïa!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and Colin Fotheringham.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Taïa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Taïa ducks under a wild hook from Jang Jai.
Jang Jai gets caught napping as Taïa dives in and scores a takedown. Jang Jai manages to retain guard.
Taïa lands a couple of digs.
Taïa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jang Jai utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taïa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Taïa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taïa distracts Jang Jai with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Taïa throws an elbow that misses. Jang Jai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Taïa's guard. Nice move by Jang Jai!
Taïa wants to sweep here but Jang Jai controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taïa is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Jang Jai wanted to stand there but Taïa had control of the position.
Jang Jai won't allow Taïa to sweep him here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Jang Jai trying to stand up but can't free himself from Taïa's guard.
Taïa is controlling Jang Jai's posture.
Jang Jai would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Taïa fails to land the takedown.
Taïa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jang Jai's waist but Jang Jai gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Taïa off to one side.
Jang Jai displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Taïa.
Wang Jang Jai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baariq Taïa.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Taïa. Those never looked like landing.
Jang Jai misses the jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Taïa! But no joy.
Jang Jai throws an overhand right that lands on Taïa's shoulder, as Taïa tries to avoid the shot.
Taïa's coach down at Mentor Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Taïa's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Jang Jai throws a front kick aimed at Taïa's knee but Taïa avoids it well.
Taïa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Jang Jai.
A little jabbing left from Taïa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Taïa tries to clinch up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Taïa.
Jang Jai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Taïa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Taïa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Taïa lands a takedown into guard.
Taïa is looking to work some ground and pound but Jang Jai has wrist control.
Taïa trying to control but Jang Jai is working from the bottom.
Taïa throws a big elbow that misses.
Taïa throws a strike but Jang Jai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taïa has Jang Jai pulled in close to control his posture.
Jang Jai trying to stand up but can't free himself from Taïa's 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!
Taïa is pulling down on Jang Jai's head. It's preventing any offense from Jang Jai, at least for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
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 Wang Jang Jai will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Taïa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jang Jai circles away.
Taïa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Taïa shoots for a takedown but Jang Jai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Wang Jang Jai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baariq Taïa.
Taïa closes the distance and clinches up with Jang Jai, looking for a takedown. Taïa pushes Jang Jai against the cage but Jang Jai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jang Jai tries to sprawl but Taïa drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Baariq Taïa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jang Jai is looking to escape.
Jang Jai trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Taïa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Jang Jai kicks off Taïa and gets to his feet.
Taïa clinches up against the cage.
Jang Jai breaks from the clinch.
Jang Jai looks to score with a jab to the body but Taïa is just out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jang Jai cracks Taïa with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
It looks like Baariq Taïa has been cut.
Taïa lands a nice shot to the body.
Jang Jai throws a big shot that misses.
Jang Jai throws an overhand right that lands on Taïa's shoulder, as Taïa tries to avoid the shot.
It seemed like Taïa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Jang Jai closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Jang Jai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Taïa shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Jang Jai's guard.
Jang Jai utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taïa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Taïa lands a couple of digs.
Taïa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Taïa is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Taïa postures up and lands a big shot to Jang Jai's brow.
Taïa throws a big right hand that misses.
Taïa passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Jang Jai takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Taïa sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Jang Jai is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Taïa fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Taïa scores with a couple of short elbows.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Taïa seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Taïa throws an elbow but Jang Jai slips to the side and avoids it well.
Jang Jai takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Taïa sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Jang Jai is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Taïa is looking to take a break and control but Jang Jai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Taïa in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Taïa scoring with punches and elbows.
Taïa tries to score with some ground and pound. Jang Jai controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Taïa creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Jang Jai sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Taïa creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Jang Jai sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Jang Jai avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Taïa.
Taïa is putting a hurting on Jang Jai here, landing some big shots from side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taïa is trying to ground and pound but Jang Jai uses the momentary lack of control by Taïa to regain half guard.
Taïa lands with a punch from half guard.
Taïa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Taïa stops Jang Jai from getting back to his feet.
Taïa is looking to take a break and control but Jang Jai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jang Jai keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Wang Jang Jai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taïa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Taïa throws out a counter right but Jang Jai avoids it with no problem.
Taïa shoots for a takedown but Jang Jai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jang Jai swats away the attempt to clinch by Taïa.
Jang Jai is looking to counter punch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taïa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jang Jai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Taïa somewhat.
Taïa shoots in looking for a takedown but Jang Jai manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Taïa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Taïa tries to clinch up but Jang Jai circles away and keeps his distance.
It looked like Jang Jai wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Taïa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jang Jai pinned against the cage. Jang Jai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Taïa shoots for a double leg takedown but Jang Jai sprawls well. He's pushed Taïa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jang Jai is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Taïa's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Jang Jai connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Taïa.
Taïa slips under a jab from Jang Jai.
Taïa looking to score a takedown here. Jang Jai is defending well but Taïa drives through and ends up in Jang Jai's guard.
Taïa is working Jang Jai over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Baariq Taïa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Baariq Taïa's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Jang Jai misses with a looping right.
Jang Jai throws a leg kick but Taïa moved away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Taïa! But no joy.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Taïa.
Taïa postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Taïa in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Taïa lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Taïa in side control, throwing shots but Jang Jai defends.
Taïa in side control, throwing shots but Jang Jai defends.
Taïa landing a few strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taïa lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Jang Jai down.
Taïa is looking to take a break and control but Jang Jai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Taïa scoring with punches and elbows.
Jang Jai is not content to let Taïa control the position.
Taïa 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.
Jang Jai parries the strikes from Taïa easily there. Taïa is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Jang Jai to escape.
Jang Jai takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Taïa throwing strikes but Jang Jai manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Taïa is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taïa is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Jang Jai tries to stand and escape but Taïa is controlling the position.
Taïa wants to get back to full guard.
Taïa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taïa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Taïa pulls Jang Jai in close to prevent any damage.
Taïa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jang Jai trying to stand up but can't free himself from Taïa's guard.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jang Jai throws a shot from downtown. Taïa moves away and avoids it.
Taïa looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jang Jai is fending him off so far but Taïa persists. Nope, Jang Jai circles away and we're back to standing.
Taïa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jang Jai's waist but Jang Jai gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Taïa off to one side.
Jang Jai throwing a counter right hand but Taïa manages to avoid it.
Taïa walks forward, straight into a front kick from Jang Jai.
A low kick lands for Jang Jai.
Taïa darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Jang Jai makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Jang Jai misses with a straight right.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Taïa closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Jang Jai throws Taïa to one side and escapes!
Jang Jai takes a swing at Taïa's ribcage but misses.
And that's the end of the fight!
Wang Jang Jai showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Jang Jai 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Wang Jang Jai!
Wang Jang Jai bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.
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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
42% |
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