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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kendall Groove (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giorgios Finlitis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Groove comes to the cage accompanied by Kasta - Dyi-dyi-dyim (smoke). 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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| 195 cm
18
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0 |
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177 cm
22
202 lbs
9 - 5 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kendall Groove!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Giorgios Finlitis!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Vladimir Khabensky and Sergei Dronov.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Finlitis fails with an attempt to clinch.
Finlitis tries to clinch but Groove is having none of it.
Groove throws a series of punches but Finlitis avoids them all with ease.
Finlitis swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Groove counters with a left to the body.
Groove misses the shot to the body.
Groove connects with a single shot there.
Groove fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Finlitis closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Finlitis moves into full mount! Groove won't be happy about that!
Groove is wriggling around trying to escape.
Finlitis gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Finlitis has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Groove throws a right and a left that Finlitis avoids nicely.
Finlitis walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A big left from Finlitis misses.
Finlitis dodges the punch combination from Groove.
Groove gets caught flat footed, as Finlitis shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Groove looking for a guillotine here but Finlitis defends easily.
Finlitis is stalling in the full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Groove wants to sweep here but Finlitis controlling him for the moment.
Groove has his foot on Finlitis's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Finlitis works his way back into a safe position though.
Finlitis looking to pass the guard.
Finlitis decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Groove, up you get!
Finlitis has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
It looks like Giorgios Finlitis has been cut.
Finlitis doesn't manage to clinch there - Groove circles away.
Finlitis doesn't manage to clinch there - Groove circles away.
Groove really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Finlitis tries to clinch up.
Finlitis moves in looking to clinch but Groove pushes him off.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finlitis wants to clinch.
Finlitis doesn't manage to clinch there - Groove circles away.
Finlitis tries to clinch up.
Finlitis misses with a head kick.
Finlitis shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Groove's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Finlitis decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Groove, up you get!
A combination from Groove does no damage.
Finlitis shoots in but Groove avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Finlitis looks gassed!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finlitis fails with an attempt to clinch.
Finlitis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Groove paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Finlitis drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Groove has his foot on Finlitis's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Finlitis works his way back into a safe position though.
Groove is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Finlitis is aware though and is defending well.
Finlitis content to stall in guard here.
Groove will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Finlitis stands and steps away. Groove gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Giorgios Finlitis dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Giorgios Finlitis's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Groove lands with a good body shot.
Groove rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Finlitis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Groove lands with a good body shot.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Groove!
Finlitis tries to clinch up.
Finlitis tries to clinch there but Groove circles away.
Groove tries to keep at a distance but Finlitis has taken the fight into the clinch.
Groove can't find room to land a body shot as Finlitis controls the action.
Groove tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Finlitis just stands there and leans against the cage.
Finlitis has Groove pushed against the cage.
Groove misses with some punches.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Groove is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Finlitis misses with a punch on the inside.
Finlitis landing knees to the head.
It looks like Kendall Groove has been cut.
Groove wants a takedown but no success here.
Finlitis breaks the clinch.
Groove misses with a double jab
and Finlitis counters with a shoot takedown. Groove fights it but they end up in guard.
Finlitis is breathing heavily.
Finlitis is pushing down on Groove's leg trying to pass to half guard. Groove is fighting to maintain full guard but Finlitis has managed to sneak the leg through.
Finlitis decides to return to a standing position.
Groove leaves Finlitis with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Groove connects with a body shot.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Groove. That snapped Finlitis's head back.
Groove's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Groove duly obliges.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Finlitis is looking to clinch.
Groove takes a swing at Finlitis's ribcage but misses.
Groove throws a right hand that Finlitis ducks under and follows up with a left that Finlitis also avoids with ease.
Groove is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Finlitis tries to clinch up.
Groove throws a right hand that Finlitis ducks under and follows up with a left that Finlitis also avoids with ease.
Finlitis slips a jab from Groove.
Finlitis closes this distance looking for a takedown but Groove circles away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Groove connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kendall Groove is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Finlitis fails in his attempt to clinch.
Groove connects with a looping right hand.
Groove connects with a right hand. Finlitis shakes it off.
Finlitis fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Finlitis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
No luck for Finlitis with that takedown attempt.
Kendall Groove has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgios Finlitis.
A decent looking cross lands there for Groove.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Groove rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Finlitis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Groove fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Finlitis looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Groove!
Finlitis controlling his opponent.
Groove is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Groove in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Finlitis get's back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Giorgios Finlitis will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Groove misses with the combination.
Groove swats away the attempt to clinch by Finlitis.
Finlitis shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Groove's guard.
Finlitis trying to control but Groove is working from the bottom.
Finlitis tries to free his leg and advance position but Groove is retaining full guard.
Groove has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Finlitis can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Groove is looking for a triangle but Finlitis pushes his legs off easily.
Finlitis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Groove is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Finlitis defends well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Finlitis gets to his feet - Groove follows without any prompting.
Finlitis wants to clinch.
Groove throws a combination that misses
and Finlitis counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Groove is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Finlitis trying to pass the guard but Groove defending well.
Groove is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Finlitis pulls his head out easily.
Finlitis controlling the action here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finlitis stands up and beckons Groove to join him on the feet.
Finlitis fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Groove as Finlitis shoots in.
Groove lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Finlitis circles away quickly and effectively.
Finlitis slips a jab and a cross from Groove.
Finlitis tries to clinch there but Groove circles away.
Finlitis tries to clinch up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Groove lands a really nice looking cross but Finlitis seems unphased.
Horrible takedown by Finlitis or perhaps it was just good defense by Groove which made him look bad.
Groove slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Groove throws a series of punches but Finlitis avoids them all with ease.
Groove lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Groove misses with a double jab
and Finlitis counters by moving into the clinch.
Groove tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Finlitis smiles and moves away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Groove lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Groove lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Finlitis takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Finlitis tries to clinch but Groove is having none of it.
Finlitis misses with a double jab
and Groove counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Finlitis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Groove swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Giorgios Finlitis just about did enough to take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Groove throws a right and a left that both miss.
Finlitis is looking to clinch but Groove is avoiding it.
Finlitis fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Groove connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Finlitis momentarily.
Groove misses with a wild body shot.
Finlitis doesn't manage to clinch there - Groove circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finlitis throws a combination that misses
and Groove counters with a stiff right hand.
Kendall Groove is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Finlitis is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Finlitis fails with an attempt to clinch.
Finlitis tries to clinch up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Groove ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Finlitis moves away.
Groove is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Finlitis wants to clinch up but Groove keeps it at a distance.
Groove lands a nice shot to the body.
Finlitis misses with a body shot
and Groove counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Finlitis swinging wildly here.
Finlitis walks into a stiff left hand from Groove.
Finlitis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kendall Groove is winning the standup battle so far.
Groove lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Finlitis circles away quickly and effectively.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finlitis looks for a takedown but Groove sprawls well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Finlitis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Finlitis tries to close the distance and clinch but Groove swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Finlitis misses with a takedown attempt - Groove sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kendall Groove has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgios Finlitis.
Groove misses with the combination.
Finlitis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Groove connects with a crisp jab.
Finlitis doesn't manage to clinch there - Groove circles away.
Finlitis tries to land a leg kick but Groove saw it coming and moves away.
Groove with a hook.
Finlitis shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Groove napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Groove tries to buck Finlitis off but Finlitis is having none of it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Groove regains half guard.
Giorgios Finlitis has got the better of the ground game so far.
Finlitis is stalling here. Groove is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Finlitis seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Groove has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Groove tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Groove has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Groove thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kendall Groove had his way with Giorgios Finlitis in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!
Groove avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Finlitis tries to clinch but Groove moves out of range.
Groove fails to land with a series of punches.
Groove misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finlitis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Groove swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Finlitis changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Groove looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Groove tries to buck Finlitis off but Finlitis is having none of it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Finlitis slows the pace down.
Groove manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Finlitis is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Groove is working for a kimura but Finlitis is defending it quite comfortably.
Finlitis pushes Groove off looking to stand but Groove dives back in and keeps control.
Groove seems to be looking for submissions.
Finlitis is trying to stand.
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.
Groove is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Groove is working for a kimura but Finlitis is defending it quite comfortably.
Kendall Groove has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Groove is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Finlitis defends it well.
Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Finlitis tries to close the distance and clinch but Groove swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finlitis tries to clinch but Groove moves out of range.
Finlitis avoids a punch combination nicely.
Finlitis tries to close the distance and clinch up but Groove swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Finlitis is looking to clinch.
Finlitis throws a combination that misses
and Groove counters with a right hand to the body.
Finlitis tries to clinch up but Groove circles away and keeps his distance.
Groove circles away from the clinch attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Finlitis is looking to clinch.
Finlitis fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Groove looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Groove listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Finlitis closes the distance and clinches up with Groove, looking for a takedown. Finlitis pushes Groove against the cage but Groove circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Groove misses with a series of wild punches.
Groove moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kendall Groove showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Finlitis 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 47:48
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 47:48
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 47:48
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Giorgios Finlitis!
Giorgios Finlitis is the new middleweight champion!
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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
70% |
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