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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lasi Kukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lasi Kukko has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 184 cm
32
185 lbs
23 - 10 - 0 |
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185 cm
36
194 lbs
32 - 16 - 2 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
23 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Melvin Manhoef!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
32 - 16 - 2, fighting out of London, Lasi Kukko!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Ackerman and William Gold.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kukko misses with a hook. Manhoef ducked under it nicely.
Kukko with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kukko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Manhoef.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kukko.
Manhoef sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kukko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Manhoef sprawls well. Manhoef wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kukko gets slowly back to his feet.
Kukko connects with a crisp jab.
Kukko throws a looping overhand right but Manhoef ducks down to avoid it.
Kukko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Manhoef. Manhoef obviously looking to wear him down.
Lasi Kukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manhoef feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kukko's calf.
Kukko throws a combination. Manhoef tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Kukko missing with a left hand there. Manhoef was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A nice leg kick lands there from Manhoef.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kukko misses with an uppercut. Manhoef saw that one coming.
Manhoef lands with a cross.
It looks like Lasi Kukko has been cut.
Manhoef misses with a wild body shot.
Kukko walks into a straight right hand from Manhoef.
Manhoef moves out of range of the strikes.
Kukko looks for a takedown but Manhoef sprawls well.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lasi Kukko.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Manhoef at a distance.
Manhoef staying out of range there.
Kukko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Manhoef tries to avoid it but Kukko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Manhoef to the ground. Manhoef escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Manhoef lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Manhoef lands a really nice looking cross but Kukko seems unphased.
Kukko goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Manhoef misses with an uppercut. Kukko saw that one coming.
Kukko misses with a double jab
and Manhoef counters with an outside leg kick.
Manhoef uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kukko.
Kukko blocks a leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kukko is defended easily by Manhoef.
Manhoef takes a swing at Kukko's ribcage but misses.
Kukko throws the left hand but Manhoef avoids the punch easily.
Manhoef misses with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Kukko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukko motions for Manhoef to come forward. Kukko throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kukko misses with a takedown attempt - Manhoef sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kukko looks for the body kick but Manhoef saw that one coming.
Manhoef throws a half hearted mid kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manhoef bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Manhoef slips under a jab from Kukko.
Manhoef ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kukko avoids the head kick by Manhoef.
Manhoef scores with a jab.
Manhoef swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Manhoef cracks Kukko with an open hand slap.
Kukko throws a nice looking combination but Manhoef bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Manhoef keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Melvin Manhoef is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kukko checks a low kick from Manhoef.
Manhoef defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kukko.
Kukko stalks Manhoef and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Manhoef's face. Manhoef staggers backwards, shaken.
A leg kick checked by Manhoef.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukko fails to land with a series of punches.
Kukko takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Manhoef takes one to the chin there.
Kukko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Manhoef.
Manhoef looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kukko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kukko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Manhoef throws out the jab.
Manhoef sizes up Kukko with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Manhoef looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kukko walks into a jab.
Manhoef throws a leg kick but Kukko moved away.
Manhoef throws a right and a left that both miss.
Manhoef walks into a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kukko lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Manhoef backs up against the cage.
Kukko lands a leg kick that knocks Manhoef off balance momentarily.
Manhoef tries to sprawl but Kukko drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kukko wants to pass the guard but Manhoef is defending well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kukko.
Kukko stalling away here and it's allowed Manhoef to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Manhoef wants to stand up but Kukko is controlling him.
Manhoef has a closed guard, preventing Kukko from standing up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kukko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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 Melvin Manhoef will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lasi Kukko's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Kukko misses with an uppercut. Manhoef saw that one coming.
Kukko throws the left hand but Manhoef avoids the punch easily.
Kukko lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kukko throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Manhoef fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kukko.
Manhoef works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lasi Kukko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Manhoef moves out of range of the body kick from Kukko.
Kukko fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Manhoef sprawls well initially but Kukko persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kukko wants to advance to full mount but Manhoef doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Kukko trying to control the position from guard on top but Manhoef is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kukko is looking to work some ground and pound but Manhoef has wrist control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Manhoef keeping moving, preventing Kukko from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
OK we're going to have a standup here. Lasi Kukko hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Kukko shoots in for a double leg but Manhoef sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Manhoef throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kukko misses with a kick to the body.
Kukko staying out of range there.
Kukko shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Manhoef eats them both and turns towards Kukko to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Kukko swings for the body but Manhoef moves out of range.
Nice shot lands for Kukko.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef misses with an uppercut.
Manhoef takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kukko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Manhoef sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kukko somewhat.
Kukko looks to land a left hand but Manhoef moved out of range nicely.
Manhoef wants to land a leg kick but Kukko is out of range.
Kukko on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
No joy there for Manhoef, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Manhoef. Kukko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Manhoef throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
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!
Manhoef connects with a solid leg kick.
Kukko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big right from Kukko misses.
Melvin Manhoef is winning the standup battle so far.
A slapping leg kick lands for Manhoef.
Manhoef throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kukko tries to land a front kick but Manhoef steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kukko shoots for a double leg takedown but Manhoef sprawls well. He's pushed Kukko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lasi Kukko.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kukko is breathing heavily.
Manhoef scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kukko in his tracks.
Kukko missing with a left hand there. Manhoef was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kukko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Manhoef pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Manhoef scores with a hook to the body. Kukko takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Manhoef swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A leg kick checked by Kukko.
Kukko takes a swing at Manhoef's ribcage but misses.
Manhoef scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Manhoef connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kukko. Kukko circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kukko feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Manhoefs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kukko walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kukko scores with a decent looking hook.
Manhoef scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Manhoef moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Manhoef throws a good cross that connects.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kukko misses with a leg kick
and Manhoef counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Manhoef connects with an inside leg kick.
Kukko throws a right and a left that Manhoef avoids nicely.
Kukko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Manhoef misses the shot to the body.
Kukko looks to land a left hand but Manhoef moved out of range nicely.
Kukko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice defenses there by Manhoef.
Kukko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kukko throws a big shot that misses.
Kukko looks to land a right hand but Manhoef moved out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A slapping leg kick lands for Manhoef.
Manhoef misses with a double jab.
Manhoef throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kukko misses with a straight left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Melvin Manhoef dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Lasi Kukko's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!
Manhoef lands with a nice body punch.
Kukko's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Manhoef throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kukko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kukko thows a body shot but no joy.
Kukko throws a right and a left that Manhoef avoids nicely.
Kukko takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Manhoef uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Some wild striking there from Kukko.
Manhoef's Muay Thai looks sharper than normal. He has obviously been working on it in the gym.
Kukko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Manhoef sprawls well. Manhoef wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kukko gets slowly back to his feet.
Kukko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kukko fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Manhoef looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kukko misses with the combination.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Manhoef - that will leave a mark!
Kukko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Manhoef jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kukko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Manhoef lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef throws a big shot that misses.
Manhoef uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kukko.
A big left from Kukko misses.
Manhoef slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Manhoef chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Manhoef throws a good cross that connects.
Kukko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Manhoef moves away.
Manhoef lands a leg kick that knocks Kukko off balance momentarily.
Manhoef throws a shot to the body.
Manhoef scores with a push kick.
Kukko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Manhoef throws a body punch but Kukko moves out of range.
Manhoef checks a leg kick.
Manhoef throws a body punch but Kukko moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kukko darts in looking for a takedown but Manhoef gets double underhooks and turns Kukko into the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Manhoef.
Manhoef lands on the inside with an uppercut.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Manhoef escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Manhoef pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Manhoef lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kukko moves out of range of the body kick.
Manhoef looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kukko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kukko checks a leg kick.
Kukko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Manhoef moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kukko shoots in and drives through. Manhoef sprawls well.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lasi Kukko.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kukko.
Kukko thows a leg kick but Manhoef checks it
and Manhoef counters with a leg kick.
Manhoef fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Manhoef connects with a single shot there.
Manhoef takes a swing at Kukko's ribcage but misses.
Kukko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kukko lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Manhoef backs up against the cage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef stuffs the takedown attempt from Kukko. Kukko gets slowly back to his feet.
Manhoef lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A telegraphed right hand from Kukko misses the target.
Manhoef tries a low kick but Kukko avoids it.
Lasi Kukko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Manhoef throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kukko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Manhoef.
Manhoef scores with a nice body kick.
Kukko on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kukko goes for a double leg but Manhoef avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Manhoef continues to drive forward.
Manhoef has a couple of punches blocked by Kukko.
Kukko has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A short right from Manhoef.
Kukko blocking some punches.
Manhoef scores with a shot to the side of Kukko's head.
Manhoef working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right from Manhoef on the inside.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kukko tries to pull guard but Manhoef won't allow it.
Manhoef lands a right hand.
Manhoef breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Manhoef thuds his shin into the meat of Kukko's side.
Manhoef scores with a head kick. Kukko tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Manhoef throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kukko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Manhoef with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kukko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Manhoef counters with a left to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Manhoef there.
Kukko misses with a takedown attempt - Manhoef sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Manhoef scores with a kick to the midsection.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Manhoef uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kukko throws a nice looking combination but Manhoef bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice uppercut there from Manhoef.
And that's the end of the fight!
Melvin Manhoef showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Manhoef, 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Melvin Manhoef!
During a confident post fight interview, Melvin Manhoef thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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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
100% |
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