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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aku Saari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cruz White (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saari comes to the cage accompanied by Rock You Like A Hurricane - Scorpions. White is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by ASAP Ferg - Dump Dump. Cruz White told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!
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| 185 cm
27
215 lbs
8 - 0 - 0 |
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193 cm
20
217 lbs
6 - 2 - 0 |
Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aku Saari!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cruz White!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saari doesn't manage to clinch there - White circles away.
White thows a left - swing and a miss!
Saari fails with an attempt to clinch.
White goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch but White swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saari avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Saari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
White goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch up but White swats him away and circles back towards the center.
White doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
White connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Saari momentarily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from White lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Saari has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Saari and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Saari has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
White swats away the attempt to clinch by Saari.
White looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saari gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
White tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
Saari has White pressed against the cage, preventing White from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
White takes an elbow to the temple.
Saari lands with a short head shot on the inside.
White blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
White swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for White.
White tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
White presses Saari against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
White has a couple of punches blocked by Saari.
Saari lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for White.
Saari misses with some punches.
Saari goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
White goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've been informed that White has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
White is leaning against Saari and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
White lands with a light punch inside.
White blocks an uppercut.
Saari misses with a punch on the inside.
White misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saari throws a punch but it's blocked by White.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
White prevents a body shot from Saari.
Saari's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saari can't find room to land a body shot as White controls the action.
White manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saari looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
White steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Saari walks into a jab.
White throws a big shot that misses.
White throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
As White tries to get set, Saari tries to push him back and clinch up but White manages to avoid the attempt.
White lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Saari gets cracked with a nice right hand there by White.
Saari moves in looking to clinch but White pushes him off.
White connects with a body shot that sends Saari's belly button to the back.
White keeps the fight on the outside.
It seemed like White was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
White throws a hook but Saari avoids it easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saari bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
White misses with a straight right.
White scores with a sloppy right hand. Saari should have avoided that one.
White lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Saari is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
White looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Saari ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Saari takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
White throws the left hand but Saari avoids the punch easily.
Saari rushes White and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saari.
White blocks an uppercut.
White makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Saari lands a left hand.
Saari lands with a right to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saari doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saari cracks White with a nice body shot.
Saari swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Saari misses with an elbow over the top.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saari.
Saari lands with a short shot to the head.
Saari working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
White tries to work over Saari's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Saari tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
White is trying to break free.
White lands an uppercut.
Saari gets through White's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
White tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Saari.
White has a couple of punches blocked by Saari.
Still in the clinch, White scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saari misses with a short punch on the inside.
White lands a hook that snaps the head of Saari backwards.
Saari throws an elbow but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Cruz White dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Saari fails in his attempt to clinch.
White misses the shot to the body.
Saari takes the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for White.
Saari throws a punch but it's blocked by White.
White lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
White misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saari scores with a shoulder strike.
White blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Saari scores with an uppercut up the middle.
White blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saari lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
White breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
White fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saari manages to avoid it.
White connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Cruz White seems to be getting the better of the standup.
White throws a hook but Saari blocks it.
Saari throwing a counter right hand but White manages to avoid it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch up but White swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A little jabbing left from White on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Saari looks to clinch
and White counters with a right hand to the body.
Saari slips under a jab from White.
Saari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saari tries to clinch but White moves out of range.
A nice side step and White releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
White fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saari manages to avoid it.
Saari seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
White has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
White scores with a jab to the head.
It looks like Aku Saari has been cut.
White swats away the attempt to clinch by Saari.
White avoids the body shot from Saari.
White tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saari was well out of range. Poor timing from White.
White lands a nice looking body shot.
Saari is looking to clinch but White is avoiding it.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch up but White swats him away and circles back towards the center.
White misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saari.
Saari wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
White is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saari.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saari gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Saari working aggressively here.
White lands an uppercut.
Saari lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saari prevents White from breaking the clinch.
White misses with a punch on the inside.
Saari lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
White prevents a body shot from Saari.
White misses with a punch to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for White.
White blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saari throws a head punch that misses.
White throws a head punch that misses.
Saari misses with some punches.
White lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Saari or not.
A right hook to the body lands for Saari.
Saari working aggressively here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Saari.
Saari takes a shot to the head.
Saari swings wildly with an uppercut but White uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short left from Saari.
White swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from White fails to land.
White blocks an elbow strike from Saari.
Saari throws a head punch that misses.
White blocks an uppercut.
Saari prevents White from breaking the clinch.
White doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
White goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Saari goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Saari tried to land a shot to the body but connects with White's elbow.
White blocks an uppercut.
White escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
White scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Saari doesn't seem bothered though.
White misses with a wild combination.
White takes a swing at Saari's ribcage but misses.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch but White swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saari moves out of range as White strikes.
White swats away the attempt to clinch by Saari.
Saari wants to clinch.
White clobbers Saari with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Cruz White showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Aku Saari's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Saari tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. White manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
White throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A swing and a miss from White.
White throws a low kick, looking for Saari's leg but Saari calmly moves out of range.
Saari wants to clinch up but White keeps it at a distance.
White keeps the fight on the outside.
White takes a swing at Saari's ribcage but misses.
Saari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch but White swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
White was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
A slapping leg kick lands for White.
Saari moves in looking to clinch but White pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
White waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Saari.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but White paws at him with a jab and circles away.
White takes a swing at Saari's ribcage but misses.
Saari uses good head movement to avoid the hook from White.
White jabs Saari to the body, keeping him at a distance.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saari tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. White manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
It seemed like White was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
White lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Saari at a distance.
Saari avoids the body shot from White.
White misses with a body shot.
Saari moves away from the strike by White.
Saari moves in looking to clinch but White pushes him off.
Saari darts in trying to clinch
and White counters with a nice uppercut.
White will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A cross from White lands.
White throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Saari seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
White misses with a wild body shot.
White tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
White misses with a hook. Saari ducked under it nicely.
White throws a leg kick that misses.
Saari seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Saari tries to clinch up but White circles away and keeps his distance.
Saari takes the fight into the clinch.
Saari throws a punch but it's blocked by White.
White throws a punch but it's blocked by Saari.
Saari tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
White breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saari uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from White.
Saari is looking to counter the offense by White and move into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice uppercut lands for White. That snapped Saari's head back.
Saari tries to clinch but White is having none of it.
Saari gets in close and instigates a clinch.
White lands with a short punch from the clinch.
White blocking some punches.
Saari lands with a right to the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saari blocks a body shot from White.
Aku Saari has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Saari blocks an uppercut.
Saari content to slow the pace in the clinch.
White lands a left hand.
Saari misses with a hook to the ribs.
White misses with a punch to the body.
Saari blocks an uppercut.
Saari scores with a shot to the side of White's head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
White misses with a punch to the body.
Saari throws a punch but it's blocked by White.
White can't find room to land a body shot as Saari controls the action.
Saari blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saari working aggressively here.
White misses with the head strike.
Saari creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through White's defenses.
A body shot lands from Saari.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saari keeps control of White as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Saari tries to work over White's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A nice left hand lands by White.
Saari throws an elbow but it misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Saari.
Saari is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but White is keeping busy.
A head punch blocked on the inside by White.
Saari blocks an uppercut.
White misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saari misses with a punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saari lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of White backwards.
White blocking some punches.
Saari misses with a short punch on the inside.
Saari tries to work over White's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
White lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
White lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Cruz White really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aku Saari's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
A telegraphed right hand from White misses the target.
Saari is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saari avoids the body shot from White.
White tries to keep at a distance but Saari has taken the fight into the clinch.
Saari lands a right hand.
Saari blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Saari.
White misses with a punch on the inside.
White blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice right hand lands inside from Saari.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
White blocks a punch to the side of the head.
White scores with an uppercut up the middle.
White swings away with an uppercut that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saari lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Saari has a couple of punches blocked by White.
Saari misses with a punch on the inside.
White breaks from the clinch.
Saari tries to clinch up.
Saari tries to clinch but White moves out of range.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch but White swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saari fails in his attempt to clinch.
White ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nice straight punches there by White. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of White.
A big left from White misses.
White throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Saari on the side of the head.
White is looking to score with low kicks.
White scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Saari is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
White feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Saari's calf.
Saari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saari moves in looking to clinch but White pushes him off.
Saari avoids the body shot from White.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saari fails in his attempt to clinch.
Saari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
White now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
White misses with a body shot.
White just misses with a punch to the body.
White works Saari's body with a nice hook.
Saari tries to clinch
and White counters with a two punch combo.
Saari is looking to clinch.
White getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saari uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from White.
Saari tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. White manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
White throws a low kick but Saari moves out of range easily.
White throws a body punch but Saari moves out of range.
White swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Saari lands a lovely overhand right.
Saari moves in looking to clinch but White pushes him off.
White is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saari.
Saari has managed to clinch.
Saari softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Saari throws a head punch that misses.
Saari scores with a shoulder strike.
Saari misses with a shot to the kidneys.
White struggles to land a body shot inside as Saari controls his hands.
White softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saari blocks a body shot from White.
White struggles to land a body shot inside as Saari controls his hands.
Saari tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Saari tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
White misses with a punch to the body.
White has a couple of punches blocked by Saari.
White lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A right handed body shot lands from Saari.
Saari lands with a short shot to the head.
White swings wildly with an uppercut but Saari uses good head movement to avoid it.
White blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
White blocks an uppercut.
Saari lands with a light punch inside.
Saari blocking some punches.
Saari lands an elbow inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Cruz White dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Aku Saari's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
White ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saari moves away.
Saari tries to clinch but White moves out of range.
Saari avoids the body shot from White.
Saari displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as White throws out the jab.
White throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
As White tries to get set, Saari tries to push him back and clinch up but White manages to avoid the attempt.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but White paws at him with a jab and circles away.
White lands a slapping body shot.
White takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Saari avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
White avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
White scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but White paws at him with a jab and circles away.
White fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saari manages to avoid it.
Saari tries to clinch up.
White throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Saari is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from White.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saari tries to clinch but White is having none of it.
White misses with an uppercut.
White throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Saari wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
White avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
White swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
White swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Saari fails with an attempt to clinch.
White misses with a head kick.
Saari wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Saari wants to clinch up but White keeps it at a distance.
A little jabbing left from White on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Saari tries to clinch but White moves away
and White counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but White paws at him with a jab and circles away.
White misses with a looping left.
Saari is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from White.
White just misses with a punch to the body.
Saari tries to clinch
and White cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
White throws a hook but Saari blocks it.
As White tries to get set, Saari tries to push him back and clinch up but White manages to avoid the attempt.
Cruz White is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saari is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saari ducks under a wild hook from White.
Saari tries to clinch up but White circles away and keeps his distance.
White swats away the attempt to clinch by Saari.
White fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saari manages to avoid it.
Saari tries to counter by clinching up but White breaks away and moves out of range.
Saari closes the distance looking to clinch
and White counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
White misses with a body shot.
White misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saari.
White thows a body kick. Saari tries to catch it but that hurt him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saari moves to clinch but White breaks away
and White cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
White avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A little jabbing left from White on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
White just misses with a punch to the body.
Saari tries to counter by moving into the clinch but White manages to circle out of the way.
Saari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but White paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Saari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
White displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Saari throws out the jab.
White misses with a straight right.
White tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saari was well out of range. Poor timing from White.
Saari clinches up against the cage.
Saari lands a body punch in the clinch.
White is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Saari just misses with a elbow thrown towards White's brow.
Saari has a couple of punches blocked by White.
Saari misses with a punch on the inside.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saari tries a body shot but White blocks it.
Saari misses with some punches.
Saari swings wildly with an uppercut but White uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saari swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aku Saari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saari lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Saari misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saari misses with a hook from the clinch.
White tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saari's elbow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Saari.
Saari lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that's the end of the fight!
Cruz White comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got White winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 45:50
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 45:50
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 45:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cruz White!
Cruz White is the new light heavyweight champion!
Cruz White spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.
Aku Saari was interviewed post fight and said 'I apologize to all of my fans, it is time for me to get back to the gym. Next time I will show the world what I am capable of.'.
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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
59% |
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