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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rainer Varvaskoukku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Li Xiaolong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.
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| 164 cm
27
147 lbs
15 - 8 - 2 |
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173 cm
30
146 lbs
22 - 10 - 0 |
BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class 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
15 - 8 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rainer Varvaskoukku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Li Xiaolong!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiaolong takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Li Xiaolong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xiaolong cracks the inside of Varvaskoukku's front leg.
Varvaskoukku throws a solid leg kick but Xiaolong takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Varvaskoukku.
Xiaolong sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Varvaskoukku on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Xiaolong. Xiaolong obviously looking to wear him down.
Xiaolong throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Xiaolong throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Varvaskoukku tries to clinch up but Xiaolong circles away and keeps his distance.
Varvaskoukku is looking to clinch but Xiaolong is avoiding it.
Varvaskoukku throws a half hearted mid kick.
Varvaskoukku looks for a takedown but Xiaolong sprawls well.
A bone on bone clash there as Xiaolong blocks the leg kick.
Varvaskoukku avoids the head kick by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Varvaskoukku looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Varvaskoukku works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Xiaolong, right into the meat.
Varvaskoukku throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Xiaolong keeps the fight on the outside.
Xiaolong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xiaolong dodges the punch combination from Varvaskoukku.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Varvaskoukku stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Xiaolong throws a jab when Varvaskoukku was well out of range.
Xiaolong with a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Xiaolong.
Varvaskoukku changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Varvaskoukku shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Xiaolong controlling the position well.
Varvaskoukku not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Varvaskoukku looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Varvaskoukku trying to control the action but Xiaolong is working from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Xiaolong's head.
Varvaskoukku trying to mount his opponent but Xiaolong defends it.
Varvaskoukku trying to control the action but Xiaolong is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Varvaskoukku sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Xiaolong defending well though.
Xiaolong gets back to full guard.
Varvaskoukku postures up in Xiaolong's guard and throws a big left but Xiaolong blocks it.
Xiaolong working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Varvaskoukku.
Xiaolong is controlling Varvaskoukku's posture.
Varvaskoukku throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Xiaolong works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Varvaskoukku connects with a couple of short punches.
Xiaolong preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Varvaskoukku trying to control the position from guard on top but Xiaolong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Varvaskoukku has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Varvaskoukku missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Xiaolong looking to control.
Varvaskoukku throwing strikes but missing.
Varvaskoukku is looking to advance position but Xiaolong has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Xiaolong trying to control but Varvaskoukku is having none of it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku is desperately trying to improve his position but Xiaolong has a good base and remains in mount.
Xiaolong takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Varvaskoukku really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Xiaolong controlling from mount.
Varvaskoukku is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xiaolong controlling from mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Varvaskoukku is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Rainer Varvaskoukku 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.
Xiaolong misses with an uppercut. Varvaskoukku saw that one coming.
A jab from Varvaskoukku finds it's way through Xiaolong's defenses.
Nice body kick from Varvaskoukku.
Varvaskoukku shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Xiaolong pinned against the cage. Xiaolong gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Xiaolong looks to score with a jab to the body but Varvaskoukku is just out of range.
Varvaskoukku pivots, looking for a leg kick but Xiaolong is out of range and Varvaskoukku settles back down.
Xiaolong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Varvaskoukku wants to clinch up but Xiaolong keeps it at a distance.
Varvaskoukku lands a leg kick that knocks Xiaolong off balance momentarily.
Xiaolong swings for the body but Varvaskoukku moves out of range.
Varvaskoukku defending well as Xiaolong loads up on a big left hand.
Xiaolong is looking to clinch but Varvaskoukku is avoiding it.
Xiaolong cracks Varvaskoukku with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Varvaskoukku scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Xiaolong regains half guard there - taking advantage of Varvaskoukku's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Xiaolong trying to control from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Xiaolong's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Varvaskoukku not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Varvaskoukku seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Xiaolong does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Xiaolong keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Xiaolong is refusing to be controlled, as Varvaskoukku sits in half guard.
Xiaolong works his way to full guard. Good work.
Varvaskoukku trying to control but Xiaolong is working from the bottom.
Xiaolong is pulling down on Varvaskoukku's head to control his posture.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Varvaskoukku trying to control but Xiaolong is working from the bottom.
Varvaskoukku throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Varvaskoukku postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Varvaskoukku throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Varvaskoukku is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Xiaolong keeping moving, preventing Varvaskoukku from controlling successfully.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref stands the fighters back up. Rainer Varvaskoukku wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Varvaskoukku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Xiaolong throws a low kick but Varvaskoukku avoids it.
Xiaolong takes a swing at Varvaskoukku's ribcage but misses.
Varvaskoukku avoids the body shot from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong throws a body punch but Varvaskoukku moves out of range.
Varvaskoukku closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Xiaolong did well to prevent Varvaskoukku getting side control.
Varvaskoukku looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Varvaskoukku is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Varvaskoukku throws a strike but Xiaolong avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Xiaolong is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rainer Varvaskoukku overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku throws an elbow that misses. Xiaolong uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Varvaskoukku's guard. Nice move by Xiaolong!
Varvaskoukku looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Varvaskoukku working a defensive guard but Xiaolong manages to pass into side control anyway.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Varvaskoukku tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Varvaskoukku struggling a bit here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Varvaskoukku is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Rainer Varvaskoukku dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!
Xiaolong lands an overhand right.
Xiaolong showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Varvaskoukku.
Xiaolong throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Xiaolong tries to clinch but Varvaskoukku is having none of it.
Xiaolong cracks the inside of Varvaskoukku's front leg.
Xiaolong throws a push kick but Varvaskoukku slaps the foot to one side.
Xiaolong keeps Varvaskoukku at a distance using the push kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Varvaskoukku.
Varvaskoukku is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Xiaolong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Varvaskoukku looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Xiaolong looks to land a right hand but Varvaskoukku moved out of range.
Xiaolong throws out a leg kick but Varvaskoukku moves out of range and Xiaolong only half commits.
Varvaskoukku scores with a one two! Xiaolong had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Varvaskoukku keeps Xiaolong at a distance using the push kick.
Xiaolong cracks the inside of Varvaskoukku's front leg.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaolong connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Varvaskoukku shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Xiaolong manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Varvaskoukku throwing strikes but missing.
Varvaskoukku with a flurry of punches that miss.
Xiaolong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Varvaskoukku with a flurry of punches that miss.
Xiaolong trying to control the position.
Varvaskoukku pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Xiaolong is keeping the position for now.
Xiaolong 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.
Xiaolong has momentary wrist control but Varvaskoukku slips an elbow through the middle.
Li Xiaolong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku wants to control from the top but Xiaolong keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Varvaskoukku accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Varvaskoukku missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Varvaskoukku is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to 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!
Varvaskoukku pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Xiaolong is keeping the position for now.
Varvaskoukku trying to control but Xiaolong is working from the bottom.
Xiaolong wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Varvaskoukku shoots in for a takedown but Xiaolong shows good takedown defense.
Varvaskoukku checks a leg kick nicely.
Xiaolong connects with the punch.
Varvaskoukku moves into the clinch.
Varvaskoukku lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Varvaskoukku.
Xiaolong lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Xiaolong is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Varvaskoukku is keeping busy.
Varvaskoukku tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Xiaolong just stands there and leans against the cage.
Varvaskoukku takes an elbow to the temple.
It looks like Rainer Varvaskoukku has been cut.
Varvaskoukku tries to pull guard but Xiaolong holds him up against the cage and eventually Varvaskoukku drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rainer Varvaskoukku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Varvaskoukku tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Xiaolong lands a nice knee to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Varvaskoukku working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Varvaskoukku is working Xiaolong over against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Xiaolong.
Varvaskoukku breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Xiaolong walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Varvaskoukku checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Xiaolong misses with a wild body shot.
Xiaolong slips under a jab.
Varvaskoukku fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Varvaskoukku takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Varvaskoukku fails with the takedown.
Xiaolong fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Varvaskoukku checks it well.
Varvaskoukku takes a swing at Xiaolong's ribcage but misses.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Li Xiaolong.
I think Varvaskoukku 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rainer Varvaskoukku!
A victorious Rainer Varvaskoukku 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
73% |
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