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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Antun Racic (ranked 780 p4p, 36 weight class) and Odell Paquette (ranked 1847 p4p, 89 weight class). 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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| 166 cm
32
138 lbs
16 - 9 - 0 |
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177 cm
34
143 lbs
25 - 16 - 1 |
Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antun Racic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
25 - 16 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Odell Paquette!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Racic shoots in and gets a takedown into Paquette's guard.
The fighters are working up against the cage. Paquette manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Paquette fails to land.
Racic digs a right hand underneath Paquette's ribcage. Paquette let out a lung full of air as it connected.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Racic.
Paquette misses with the head strike.
Racic lands with a short shot to the head.
Paquette letting Racic take a breather here.
Paquette working hard to break the clinch.
Racic blocks an uppercut.
Paquette letting Racic take a breather here.
Racic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Paquette lands a right hand that snaps the head of Racic backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paquette lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paquette.
Paquette scores with a shot to the side of Racic's head.
Paquette throws a head punch that misses.
Racic blocks an uppercut.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Paquette misses with the head strike.
Racic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Paquette throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Racics head.
Racic misses with a short punch on the inside.
Racic tries a body shot but Paquette blocks it.
Racic blocks an uppercut.
Paquette prevents a body shot from Racic.
Racic misses with a punch on the inside.
Paquette misses with a hook from the clinch.
Racic makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Paquette breaks the clinch.
Racic lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Racic misses with a looping right.
Racic keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Paquette goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Racic lands a lovely overhand right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Racic swats away the attempt to clinch by Paquette.
Paquette throws a series of punches but Racic moves out of range.
Racic lands with a right hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Racic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Antun Racic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paquette misses with an uppercut.
Racic throws a right and a left that Paquette avoids nicely.
Paquette bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Racic scores with a body shot.
Racic gets a double leg takedown into Paquette's guard.
Paquette trying to keep a closed guard but Racic is proving a slippery customer.
Racic missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Paquette wants to get back to his feet but Racic is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Racic sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Paquette's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paquette wants to control but Racic is keeping busy.
Paquette is looking to escape.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paquette is looking for a sweep. Racic is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Racic is pressing down on Paquette's thigh, looking to free his foot. Paquette is holding on for now.
Racic is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Paquette tries to get to full guard but Racic has control of the leg.
Racic wants to lay and pray for a moment but Paquette keeps working.
Paquette is trying to stand back up but Racic is controlling him
Racic tries to pass the half guard into mount. Paquette knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Paquette pushes Racic off looking to stand but Racic dives back in and keeps control.
Racic is working for a submission of some sort.
Racic wants to pass the guard but Paquette is defending well.
Paquette is staying active underneath Racic, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Racic throws out a powerful jab.
Paquette misses with a straight left.
Racic misses with an uppercut.
Paquette throws a shot from downtown. Racic moves away and avoids it.
A nice combination there by Racic.
Racic throws a leg kick that is checked
and Paquette makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Antun Racic dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
A decent looking cross lands there for Racic.
Paquette misses with a hook.
Racic half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A jab from Racic misses.
Racic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Racic shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Paquette is trying to defend but Racic finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paquette is not content to let Racic control the position.
Racic working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Paquette manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Racic keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Racic lands a shot to the body.
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!
Racic has a couple of punches blocked by Paquette.
Racic is trying to maintain a safe position but Paquette gets an underhook and turns Racic into the cage.
Paquette misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paquette.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Paquette tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Racic lands with a right to the head.
Paquette swings wildly with an uppercut but Racic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Paquette tries a body shot but Racic blocks it.
Paquette takes a shot to the head.
Paquette breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Racic takes a swing at Paquette's ribcage but misses.
Paquette doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Racic has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Racic there as he acknowledges the shot.
Paquette scores with a crisp jab that stopped Racic in his tracks.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Racic.
Paquette lands a head shot.
Paquette misses with an uppercut.
Racic tries to counter by clinching up but Paquette breaks away and moves out of range.
Paquette looks to land a right hand but Racic moved out of range.
Racic lands a nice looking body shot.
A big left from Paquette misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Racic throws a half hearted mid kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paquette misses with an uppercut.
Jab, jab by Paquette - just one landing.
Paquette takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Racic is looking to land body kicks.
Racic fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Paquette sprawls well initially but Racic persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Racic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Paquette pushes Racic off looking to stand but Racic dives back in and keeps control.
Racic trying to mount his opponent but Paquette defends it.
Antun Racic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Racic scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Racic wants to take a breather but Paquette is having none of it.
Paquette tries to get to full guard but Racic has control of the leg.
Paquette is trying to control but can't.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Racic is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Paquette is just riding it out for now. Racic eventually gives up the hold.
Racic throwing shots but Paquette is blocking nicely.
Racic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Racic is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Paquette trying to control but Racic postures up.
Paquette wants to get back to his feet.
Paquette is looking to improve his position.
That's four 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.
Racic is thwarting Paquette's attempts to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Paquette tries to kick Racic off but Racic keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Racic moves out of range of the strikes.
Racic shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Racic throws a hook but Paquette blocks it.
Paquette throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Racic.
Racic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Racic with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Racic shoots in and drives through. Paquette sprawls well.
Paquette misses the shot to the body.
Racic connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A jab from Paquette misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Antun Racic will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Racic takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Racic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Racic connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Paquette momentarily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Racic.
Paquette misses with a straight left.
Racic throws a big shot that misses.
Racic closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paquette circles away.
Paquette throws a big counter head kick but Racic avoids it with no problem.
Paquette takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Racic is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Paquette swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Racic throws a predictable looking body shot
and Paquette counters with a straight right hand.
Paquette fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Racic on the side of the head.
Paquette misses with a hook.
Racic changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paquette looks to throw the jab but Racic is out of range.
Paquette tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Racic was well out of range. Poor timing from Paquette.
Paquette tries to move into range but Racic moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Antun Racic is winning the standup battle so far.
Paquette jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Racic tries to counter with a takedown but Paquette is quick to defend against it.
Racic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Paquette throws a big shot that misses.
Racic connects with a leg kick. Paquette looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Paquette takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Paquette connects with a looping right hand.
Paquette checks a leg kick.
Paquette walks into a left hand.
A nice combination there by Racic.
Racic scores with a jab to the body.
Racic dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Paquette. That did some damage!
Racic digs a good hook to Paquette's body.
A jab from Paquette misses.
Odell Paquette is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Paquette bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
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!
Racic misses with a double jab.
Racic cracks the inside of Paquette's front leg.
Paquette moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Paquette swings for the body but Racic moves out of range.
Paquette pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paquette just misses with a punch to the body.
Paquette misses with a series of wild punches.
Paquette changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Paquette takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Some wild striking there from Racic.
Paquette cracks Racic with a good jab.
Odell Paquette has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Racic lands a glancing blow to the side of Paquette's head.
Paquette throws a leg kick but Racic moved away.
A telegraphed right hand from Paquette misses the target.
Paquette tries a head kick but it misses.
Racic tries to counter with a takedown but Paquette is quick to defend against it.
Racic closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Paquette quickly recovers to half guard.
Paquette wants to get back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Racic passes the guard and advances to mount!
Racic is looking to work his way around to Paquette's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Racic won't let Paquette get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Paquette is squirming around, avoiding Racic's attempts to control the action.
Antun Racic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Paquette can't escape the position.
Racic controlling the position easily from mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paquette tries to hold on but Racic postures up.
Racic trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Racic tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Paquette keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Racic raining down shots from the mount!
Racic controlling the pace for now.
And that's the end of the fight!
Antun Racic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Racic, 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antun Racic!
A determined Antun Racic didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!
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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
61% |
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