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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keijo Maki (ranked 2495 p4p, 2982 weight class) and Daniel Hazlehurst (ranked 321 p4p, 380 weight class). Hazlehurst has chosen Queen - One Vision as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 205 cm
32
220
11 - 6 - 0 |
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183 cm
35
202
21 - 17 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Keijo Maki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Daniel Hazlehurst!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maki's corner calls for a 1-2. Maki obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hazlehurst scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
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.
Maki is looking to control Hazlehurst's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Maki avoid being mounted?
Hazlehurst is taking a breather. Maki says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Maki keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Maki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hazlehurst.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hazlehurst trying to control the pace.
Maki trying to control here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hazlehurst throwing shots but Maki is blocking nicely.
Maki tries to roll over but Hazlehurst keeps him under control.
Hazlehurst content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Maki trying to control from the bottom.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hazlehurst has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Maki finds it's way round the side to connect with Hazlehurst's head.
Jab, jab by Maki - just one landing.
Maki throws a one two combo.
Maki thuds his right hand into Hazlehurst's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst drives through with a takedown into Maki's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Maki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hazlehurst throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Maki controlling Hazlehurst's posture.
Hazlehurst trying to control but Maki is working from the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hazlehurst engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst postures up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hazlehurst trying to control the position from guard on top but Maki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Maki connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hazlehurst's hands.
The fighters circle momentarily. Maki darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Maki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice defenses there by Hazlehurst.
Maki misses with a hook
and Hazlehurst connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Maki gets caught napping as Hazlehurst dives in and scores a takedown. Maki manages to retain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maki keeping moving, preventing Hazlehurst from controlling successfully.
Maki seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maki pulls Hazlehurst in close to prevent any damage.
Maki keeping moving, preventing Hazlehurst from controlling successfully.
Maki is pulling down on Hazlehurst's head to control his posture.
Maki will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maki keeping moving, preventing Hazlehurst from controlling successfully.
Hazlehurst missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
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 Keijo Maki will probably get the nod.
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.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Maki lands a really nice looking cross but Hazlehurst seems unphased.
Maki connects with a body shot.
Daniel Hazlehurst seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hazlehurst looks for a takedown but Maki sprawls well.
Hazlehurst changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Maki tries to avoid it but Hazlehurst manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Maki to the ground. Maki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Maki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hazlehurst.
Keijo Maki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Hazlehurst.
Maki missing with a left hand there. Hazlehurst was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hazlehurst can do to turn this around?
Hazlehurst takes one to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Maki.
Hazlehurst shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Maki napping and manages to drive through into side control!
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!
Hazlehurst trying to control the action but Maki is working from the bottom.
Sloppy strikes there by Hazlehurst.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hazlehurst misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Hazlehurst tries for a kimura but Maki is defending well.
Maki is looking for a sweep.
Maki struggling a bit here.
Maki gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hazlehurst tries to pass to full mount but Maki defends it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hazlehurst throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hazlehurst looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Maki with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hazlehurst missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hazlehurst looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Maki is looking for a sweep. Hazlehurst is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hazlehurst drops an elbow to the side of Maki's head.
Hazlehurst is trying to control. Maki wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst throwing shots but Maki is blocking nicely.
Hazlehurst seems to be working for a kimura but Maki defends the submission attempt.
Hazlehurst throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Maki is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Maki scores with a jab to the jaw.
Maki works Hazlehurst's body with a nice hook.
Maki fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hazlehurst has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Maki.
Hazlehurst shoots in for a takedown but Maki shows good takedown defense.
Maki is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Maki stuns Hazlehurst with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hazlehurst manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Maki on his heels. He'll look to pass Maki's guard now, I'm sure.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst wants to pass the guard but Maki is keeping the position.
Daniel Hazlehurst has got the better of the ground game so far.
Maki pulls Hazlehurst in close to his closed guard and prevents Hazlehurst from doing any damage or advancing position.
Maki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Maki is adopting a defensive guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maki 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Keijo Maki will probably get the nod.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Maki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hazlehurst manages to avoid it.
Maki throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hazlehurst on the side of the head.
Hazlehurst gets the takedown into side control.
Hazlehurst fails to land a wild elbow strike.
You can see the frustration on Maki's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hazlehurst throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Hazlehurst grinds an elbow into Maki's temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hazlehurst is looking to take a break and control but Maki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hazlehurst might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Maki haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hazlehurst working away.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hazlehurst trying to control the position but Maki is working away.
Hazlehurst moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Keijo Maki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hazlehurst wants to control but Maki is keeping him busy.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hazlehurst.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Maki - that will leave a mark!
Hazlehurst shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hazlehurst takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A jab from Maki misses.
Maki misses the shot to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Maki pinned against the cage. Maki gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Keijo Maki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Hazlehurst.
Hazlehurst keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maki darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hazlehurst shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Maki as he avoids it easily.
Hazlehurst fails with the takedown
letting Maki counter with a right hand.
Hazlehurst slips a jab and a cross from Maki.
Keijo Maki is winning the standup battle so far.
Maki throws a series of punches but Hazlehurst moves out of range.
Hazlehurst shoots in and drives through. Maki sprawls well.
Nice straight punches there by Maki. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Maki.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst blocks a leg kick.
Maki misses the shot to the body.
Maki looks to throw the jab but Hazlehurst is out of range.
Hazlehurst doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Maki misses with an uppercut. Hazlehurst saw that one coming.
The crowd cheers as Maki lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hazlehurst doesn't seem phased though.
Maki throws a shot from downtown. Hazlehurst moves away and avoids it.
Daniel Hazlehurst has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maki throws a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hazlehurst moves out of range of the strikes.
Maki cracks Hazlehurst with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maki throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hazlehurst counters with a straight right hand.
Maki slaps away a takedown attempt from Hazlehurst, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that's the end of the fight!
Keijo Maki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Maki, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keijo Maki!
A victorious Keijo Maki thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
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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
36% |
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