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MFN 159: Taphorn vs. Kunitskiy PBP Commentary |
Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ghiorghos Papadopoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Dutko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bob Dutko has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 185 cm
36
266 lbs
17 - 22 - 0 |
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195 cm
24
249 lbs
9 - 4 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
17 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ghiorghos Papadopoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bob Dutko!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Dillan Fox and Ian Loll.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Papadopoulos shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dutko as he jumps to the side.
Dutko feints a counter leg kick.
Papadopoulos closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Dutko to the mat! Dutko manages to get full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Papadopoulos's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Dutko wants to sweep but no luck.
Papadopoulos trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dutko wants to sweep here but Papadopoulos controlling him for the moment.
Papadopoulos has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Dutko is looking to cinch up a triangle. Papadopoulos throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Dutko's body to avoid the submission. Dutko has instead reached around Papadopoulos's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Dutko arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Bob Dutko!
An out of breath Bob Dutko thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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| S |
C
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B |
G |
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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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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pawel Konopacki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Shadow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shadow has chosen Can't Be Touched as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!
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| 179 cm
28
171 lbs
17 - 8 - 0 |
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175 cm
27
170 lbs
14 - 8 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Pawel Konopacki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bill Shadow!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Trevor Gratis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Konopacki clobbers Shadow with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Konopacki will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A low kick from Konopacki misses
and Shadow counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A jab lands there for Shadow.
Shadow closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Konopacki is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shadow scores with a couple of nice shots.
Konopacki tries to get to full guard but Shadow has control of the leg.
Konopacki wants to control but Shadow is keeping busy.
Shadow prevents Konopacki from improving his position.
Konopacki is staying active underneath Shadow, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Shadow throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shadow not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shadow is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Shadow trying to control the action but Konopacki is working from the bottom.
Shadow throwing shots but Konopacki is blocking nicely.
Konopacki is trying to get back to full guard.
Shadow is controlling the pace.
Konopacki is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shadow scores with a couple of nice shots.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Shadow wants to control but Konopacki is keeping him busy.
Konopacki is trying to get back to full guard.
Konopacki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shadow.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Konopacki misses with a looping right.
Shadow looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Konopacki keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Konopacki swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Shadow counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Konopacki!
Konopacki is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Shadow cracks Konopacki with a big right hand but Konopacki just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Konopacki can't do much from the bottom here.
Konopacki prevents Shadow from improving position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Shadow working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Konopacki is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at ~T~ Troid - Gym, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Konopacki struggling a bit here.
Shadow working the ground and pound from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shadow throwing shots but missing, from side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Shadow working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Shadow is putting a hurting on Konopacki here, landing some big shots from side control.
Shadow sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Konopacki is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Konopacki is looking for a sweep.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Shadow working his ground and pound in the gym.
Shadow lands some shots froms side control.
Shadow is working Konopacki over with some ground and pound from side control.
Shadow working the ground and pound.
Konopacki is trying to get back to half guard.
Shadow trying to control the position but Konopacki is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Bill Shadow dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Konopacki throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Konopacki drives through with a takedown into Shadow's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Shadow trying to keep a closed guard but Konopacki is proving a slippery customer.
Konopacki distracts Shadow with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Shadow is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Konopacki passes Shadow's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Konopacki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shadow is defending against the submission attempts here by Konopacki.
Konopacki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Shadow is looking to control Konopacki's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Shadow avoid being mounted?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shadow is refusing to be controlled, as Konopacki sits in half guard.
Shadow is pressing down on Konopacki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Shadow has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Konopacki trying to control the position from guard on top but Shadow is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Konopacki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shadow misses with a hook.
Konopacki darts in and clinches Shadow up against the cage.
Shadow looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shadow looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Konopacki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shadow is trying to break the clinch but Konopacki is controlling him.
Shadow pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Konopacki moves out of range of the strikes.
Konopacki drops down looking for a counter takedown but Shadow sprawls and moves away.
Konopacki dodges the punch combination from Shadow.
Konopacki drops down looking for a counter takedown but Shadow sprawls and moves away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shadow slips under a jab.
Konopacki misses with a takedown
and Shadow cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shadow walks into a stiff left hand from Konopacki.
Shadow shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Konopacki but Konopacki pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Konopacki drops down looking for a counter takedown but Shadow sprawls and moves away.
Konopacki tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shadow dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shadow takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Konopacki fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Konopacki scores with a nice strike.
Konopacki misses with a hook.
Shadow feints the counter takedown.
Shadow throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Konopacki gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shadow manages to work his way to half guard, despite Konopacki's best efforts.
Konopacki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shadow's head.
Konopacki scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Konopacki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shadow keeps working.
Shadow wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Pawel Konopacki dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Konopacki moves in looking to clinch but Shadow pushes him off.
Konopacki just misses with a punch to the body.
Shadow stuffs the takedown.
Shadow let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Pawel Konopacki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shadow gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Konopacki counters with a single leg into guard. Shadow didn't expect that.
Konopacki throws a big elbow that misses.
Konopacki throwing strikes from guard but Shadow blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Konopacki throws a big right hand that misses.
Konopacki throws a big right hand that misses.
Konopacki throwing strikes but missing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Shadow trying to control the position here.
Konopacki wants to pass the guard but Shadow is keeping the position.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Shadow thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shadow uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Konopacki has time to react.
Shadow throws a hook but Konopacki blocks it.
Konopacki takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Konopacki swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Shadow to counter with a crisp jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Konopacki finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Konopacki throws a push kick but Shadow slaps the foot to one side.
Konopacki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Konopacki just misses with a punch to the body.
Shadow swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bill Shadow seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Konopacki tests Shadow's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Shadow blocks a leg kick.
Konopacki slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Shadow misses the jab.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shadow cracks Konopacki with a right hand to the side of the head.
Konopacki throws a head kick that misses.
Shadow displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Konopacki throws out the jab.
Konopacki darts in looking for a takedown but Shadow gets double underhooks and turns Konopacki into the cage.
Shadow is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pawel Konopacki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shadow shoots in for a takedown but Konopacki shows good takedown defense.
Shadow displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Konopacki throws out the jab.
Konopacki motions for Shadow to come forward. Konopacki throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shadow tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Shadow looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shadow throws a hook but Konopacki blocks it.
Konopacki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shadow manages to avoid it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Konopacki.
Konopacki scores with a nice right hand.
Konopacki throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shadow cracks Konopacki with a big right hand and Konopacki goes down!
Konopacki is rocked!
Konopacki 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shadow trying to control but Konopacki is working from the bottom.
Oh Konopacki is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shadow trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Konopacki manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Shadow is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Konopacki is aware though and is defending well.
Konopacki seems to have got his legs back now.
Shadow seems keen to control Konopacki's posture.
Konopacki wants to control from the top but Shadow keeps moving.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bill Shadow.
I think Shadow 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Bill Shadow!
A very excited looking Bill Shadow made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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C
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G |
S |
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B |
G |
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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
41% |
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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Taneli Maija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Glin Burman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 183 cm
34
177 lbs
15 - 7 - 0 |
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180 cm
28
180 lbs
14 - 16 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Insanely flexible |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taneli Maija!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
14 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Glin Burman!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Ian Loll and William Peck.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maija shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Burman as he jumps to the side.
A countering left hand to the body from Burman misses.
Burman lands a front kick.
Maija takes a swing at Burman's ribcage but misses.
Maija paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jab, jab by Burman - just one landing.
Burman scores with a spinning back kick!
Burman throws a shot to the body.
Burman plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
It looks like Taneli Maija has been cut.
Burman bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A head kick misses from Burman.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Burman looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Maija showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Burman.
Maija sizes up Burman with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Burman throws a right and a left that Maija avoids nicely.
Maija missing with a left hand there. Burman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Burman lands with a good body shot.
Burman lands a nice leg kick that just misses Maija's sensitive parts.
Maija misses the shot to the body.
Maija misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Burman counters with a nice uppercut.
Burman throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Burman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Burman scoring well with a low kick there.
Glin Burman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maija fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Burman sprawls well initially but Maija persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Maija is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Burman tries to kick Maija off but Maija keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Maija content to control rather than advance.
Maija has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burman is in trouble now - Maija has advanced to mount!
Burman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Maija. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maija looking to control but Burman is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Maija goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Burman is on top in guard.
Burman tries to stand but Maija is controlling from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Burman is sitting in close to Maija's body. Maija has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Burman is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Burman is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Maija.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Taneli Maija!
After winning the bout, Taneli Maija thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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C
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B |
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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
51% |
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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Haigh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Canadian Hero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haigh kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Prayer of the Refugee by Rise Against . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 170 cm
27
158 lbs
19 - 12 - 0 |
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178 cm
25
155 lbs
11 - 5 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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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 lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Haigh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Canadian Hero!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Trevor Gratis and Alec Ball.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hero closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hero misses with a hook from the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hero - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Haigh lands a shot to the body.
Haigh goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Haigh.
Haigh tries a body shot but Hero blocks it.
Haigh lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Haigh is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hero is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A short right from Haigh on the inside.
It looks like Canadian Hero has been cut.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hero.
Hero is stalling here.
Haigh wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hero slows down the pace here.
Haigh lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hero backwards.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Haigh tries to break the clinch but Hero is controlling the position.
Haigh pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Haigh slips a straight right by Hero.
Haigh swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hero moves into the clinch.
Hero throws a punch but it's blocked by Haigh.
Hero doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Haigh lands a right hand.
Haigh tries for a takedown but Hero manages to get underhooks.
Hero stalling in the clinch.
Hero lands with a short shot to the head.
Hero leaning his opponent against the cage.
Haigh has Hero pressed against the cage.
Hero stalling in the clinch but Haigh improves position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hero tries a body shot but Haigh blocks it.
Haigh digs a right hand into Hero's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hero's gas tank.
Haigh trying to control the position but instead, Hero has worked for underhooks and has pushed Haigh into the cage.
Haigh tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hero.
Haigh leaning his opponent against the cage.
Haigh tries to pull guard but Hero forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hero tries to stall but Haigh uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Haigh tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hero's elbow.
Hero trying to stall but Haigh improves his position.
Haigh looking to stall.
Haigh escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hero has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Haigh is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hero is looking to clinch.
Hero bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Haigh darts in looking for a takedown but Hero gets double underhooks and turns Haigh into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Haigh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haigh misses with a series of wild punches.
Hero looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Haigh tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Haigh misses with a wild combination.
Haigh cracks a nice hook into Hero's ribs.
Haigh tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hero is able to avoid easily.
Hero was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Haigh gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hero tries to close the distance and clinch but Haigh swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Haigh looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hero tries to close the distance and clinch up but Haigh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Haigh scores with a jab to the body.
Haigh throws out a loose jab but Hero uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hero throws a fast counter high kick but Haigh manages to duck under it in time.
Hero scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
It looks like John Haigh has been cut.
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!
Haigh throws a front kick that sends Hero stumbling back into the cage.
Hero throws a leg kick but Haigh checks it.
Haigh takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Haigh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Haigh on the wrong end of a nice jab.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haigh will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Haigh throws a head kick that misses.
Hero tries to close the distance and clinch but Haigh swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A quick step to the side and Haigh tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hero scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hero connects with a single shot there.
Hero lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Haigh circles away quickly and effectively.
Haigh's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hero connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Haigh scrambles back to his feet.
Haigh takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Some bone on bone action there as Haigh checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Haigh was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A slow jab from Haigh misses its intended target.
Haigh dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Haigh lands a body shot.
Canadian Hero is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hero drops his hands momentarily and Haigh takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Hero changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Haigh digs a good body shot into Hero's ribs.
A jab from Haigh misses.
Hero avoids the body shot from Haigh.
Hero lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Canadian Hero will probably get the nod.
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.
Haigh takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Haigh swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hero.
A combination from Hero does no damage.
Hero checks a leg kick nicely.
No joy there for Hero, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Haigh takes a swing at Hero's ribcage but misses.
Hero only half commits to the counter leg kick.
John Haigh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
An inside leg kick from Hero misses.
Haigh closes the distance and clinches up with Hero, looking for a takedown. Haigh pushes Hero against the cage but Hero circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hero uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Haigh has time to react.
Haigh is rocked!
A looping hook to the body misses from Haigh. Hero does a little dance to reset his feet.
Oh Haigh is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hero weaves into range and cracks Haigh right on the temple with a beautiful overhand right! Haigh goes down! He's out cold! Wow, what a beautiful knockout! Hero is strutting round the canvas like a movie star as the camera bulbs flash frantically.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Canadian Hero!
A relieved looking Canadian Hero thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
John Haigh spoke after the fight, saying 'Maybe it is time for me to make the move to another weight class.'.
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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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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Katsuro Kazuhiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Godbolt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Godbolt has chosen Trenches by Pop Evil as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 180 cm
26
184 lbs
13 - 6 - 1 |
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186 cm
28
202 lbs
16 - 9 - 1 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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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
13 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Katsuro Kazuhiro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
16 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matthew Godbolt!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, William Peck and Dillan Fox.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Godbolt.
Nice cross by Kazuhiro.
Godbolt tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kazuhiro defends well and Godbolt ends up having to push Kazuhiro into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kazuhiro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Godbolt.
Kazuhiro lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kazuhiro fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Godbolt has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Godbolt checks a low kick from Kazuhiro.
Kazuhiro throws a low kick, looking for Godbolt's leg but Godbolt calmly moves out of range.
Godbolt cracks Kazuhiro with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
It looks like Katsuro Kazuhiro has been cut.
Kazuhiro throws a jab but it's blocked by Godbolt.
Kazuhiro looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Godbolt closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kazuhiro circles away.
Katsuro Kazuhiro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Godbolt.
Godbolt cracks Kazuhiro with an open hand slap.
Godbolt closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kazuhiro's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Godbolt stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kazuhiro swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kazuhiro looking for a sweep. Not yet Kazuhiro, not yet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Godbolt sitting in guard here, content to control.
Godbolt wants to control from the top but Kazuhiro keeps moving.
Kazuhiro is trying to keep Godbolt in close.
Godbolt working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kazuhiro's head.
Kazuhiro looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kazuhiro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Godbolt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Godbolt advances position into side control!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kazuhiro manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Godbolt is trying to get back to full guard.
Kazuhiro trying to mount his opponent but Godbolt defends it.
Kazuhiro is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kazuhiro is looking for a kimura but Godbolt is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kazuhiro to get the leverage.
Kazuhiro throwing shots but Godbolt is blocking nicely.
Kazuhiro trying to mount his opponent but Godbolt defends it.
Godbolt works his way to full guard. Good work.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Godbolt is trying to control the position but Kazuhiro postures up.
Godbolt had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kazuhiro defends it easily.
Godbolt tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Godbolt is controlling Kazuhiro's posture.
Our spies down at at Den of Tears (22 coaches, $425 fee) inform us that Godbolt has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Kazuhiro got a little sloppy there for a moment and Godbolt has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kazuhiro has managed to get both his arms back between Godbolt's legs - danger averted.
Kazuhiro sitting in guard, not really doing much.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kazuhiro won't allow Godbolt to sweep him here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Godbolt fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kazuhiro sprawls well initially but Godbolt persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kazuhiro wants to improve his position but Godbolt is controlling well.
Godbolt throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kazuhiro is looking to improve his position.
Godbolt is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kazuhiro avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Godbolt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Matthew Godbolt will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Katsuro Kazuhiro's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Kazuhiro looks to score with a jab to the body but Godbolt is just out of range.
Kazuhiro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kazuhiro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Godbolt.
Kazuhiro slips under a jab from Godbolt.
Kazuhiro tries to counter by clinching up but Godbolt breaks away and moves out of range.
Godbolt fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kazuhiro manages to avoid it.
Kazuhiro slips under a jab.
Kazuhiro throws a nice inside leg kick.
Godbolt throws the left hand but Kazuhiro avoids the punch easily.
Kazuhiro thinks about countering with a head kick.
Kazuhiro misses with a low kick.
Godbolt lands a jab to Kazuhiro's midsection.
Godbolt misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazuhiro lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nice uppercut there from Godbolt.
Kazuhiro lands a jab to Godbolt's midsection.
Kazuhiro connects with a crisp jab.
Godbolt throws a big shot that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Godbolt ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kazuhiro lands a nice looking body kick.
Kazuhiro missing with a left hand there. Godbolt was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kazuhiro fails with an attempt to clinch.
Godbolt on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kazuhiro slips under a jab from Godbolt.
Kazuhiro is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Godbolt.
Kazuhiro scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kazuhiro ducks under a wild hook from Godbolt.
It looked like Kazuhiro was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Godbolt.
Katsuro Kazuhiro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Godbolt takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kazuhiro. Godbolt does a little dance to reset his feet.
Katsuro Kazuhiro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Godbolt swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kazuhiro counters with a nice leg kick.
Kazuhiro throws a front kick that sends Godbolt stumbling back into the cage.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kazuhiro.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kazuhiro keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Godbolt.
A jab from Godbolt misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Godbolt connects with a jab.
Godbolt feints and as Kazuhiro raises his hands in defense, Godbolt changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kazuhiro avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kazuhiro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Godbolt is working Kazuhiro over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kazuhiro working a defensive guard but Godbolt manages to pass into side control anyway.
Godbolt is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kazuhiro is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Godbolt tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kazuhiro manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Godbolt not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Godbolt thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kazuhiro's head.
Godbolt seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kazuhiro is controlling Godbolt's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Kazuhiro is trying to maintain the position but Godbolt is very close to passing his half guard.
Godbolt missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kazuhiro trying to control but Godbolt postures up.
Kazuhiro is trying to get back to full guard.
Kazuhiro is working hard here to advance position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kazuhiro gets back to full guard.
Godbolt is looking to work some ground and pound but Kazuhiro has wrist control.
Kazuhiro is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Godbolt stopping the sweep attempt from Kazuhiro.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kazuhiro misses with a hook.
Godbolt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kazuhiro fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Godbolt is out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kazuhiro.
Kazuhiro is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Godbolt.
Godbolt is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kazuhiro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Godbolt manages to avoid it.
Godbolt rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kazuhiro counters with a straight right hand.
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 Katsuro Kazuhiro will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Katsuro Kazuhiro's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Godbolt connects with a looping right hand.
Godbolt throws a hook but Kazuhiro blocks it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kazuhiro. That's going to slow Godbolt down.
Godbolt takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Godbolt misses the shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Godbolt misses the target.
Kazuhiro moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kazuhiro finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Godbolt tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Godbolt blocks the body kick.
Kazuhiro uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Godbolt has time to react.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Godbolt swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kazuhiro counters with a thumping low kick.
Kazuhiro is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Godbolt.
Godbolt misses with a right hand
and Kazuhiro counters with a thumping low kick.
Kazuhiro misses with a looping left.
Godbolt with the counter takedown but Kazuhiro avoids it easily.
Kazuhiro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Godbolt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazuhiro is looking to chop away at Godbolt's legs.
Godbolt's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Good shot there by Godbolt.
Godbolt shoots in for a takedown but Kazuhiro shows good takedown defense.
Kazuhiro looks to land a body kick but Godbolt moved away.
Godbolt misses with an uppercut. Kazuhiro saw that one coming.
Kazuhiro misses with a looping left.
Kazuhiro slaps away a takedown attempt from Godbolt, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kazuhiro throws a sloppy head kick and Godbolt moves out of range easily.
Godbolt is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kazuhiro sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Katsuro Kazuhiro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthew Godbolt.
Kazuhiro slips under a jab from Godbolt.
It looked like Kazuhiro was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Godbolt.
Kazuhiro looks to score with a jab to the body but Godbolt is just out of range.
Godbolt missing with a left hand there. Kazuhiro was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Godbolt rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kazuhiro counters by clinching up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Godbolt misses with a punch to the body.
Kazuhiro misses with a punch on the inside.
Kazuhiro landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Godbolt breaks from the clinch.
Kazuhiro throws a quick inside leg kick.
Godbolt avoids the head kick by Kazuhiro.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Godbolt takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Godbolt misses with a straight right.
Kazuhiro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kazuhiro tries a low kick but Godbolt avoids it.
And Godbolt tries to counter it with a takedown but Kazuhiro pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Katsuro Kazuhiro is winning the standup battle so far.
Kazuhiro misses with the combination.
Godbolt tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kazuhiro sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Godbolt somewhat.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Godbolt ducks under a wild hook from Kazuhiro.
Godbolt 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.
Kazuhiro shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kazuhiro scores with the left hand. Godbolt knows he should have avoided that one.
Kazuhiro fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Godbolt checks a leg kick.
Kazuhiro with a hook.
Godbolt gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kazuhiro misses with a looping right.
Godbolt moves out of range as Kazuhiro throws a body kick.
Kazuhiro looks to land a right hand but Godbolt moved out of range.
Kazuhiro attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kazuhiro looks to land a combination. Godbolt sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kazuhiro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Godbolt manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And Godbolt tries to counter it with a takedown but Kazuhiro pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Godbolt throws a body shot but no joy.
Godbolt throws a shot from downtown. Kazuhiro moves away and avoids it.
Godbolt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kazuhiro was well out of range. Poor timing from Godbolt.
Godbolt throws a hook but Kazuhiro avoids it easily.
A punch lands to the side of Godbolt 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Godbolt misses with a looping left.
As Godbolt tries to get set, Kazuhiro tries to push him back and clinch up but Godbolt manages to avoid the attempt.
Godbolt uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kazuhiro.
Kazuhiro throws a head kick but Godbolt moves out of range.
Kazuhiro gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Godbolt to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Godbolt throws a big right hand that misses.
And that's the end of the fight!
Katsuro Kazuhiro showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kazuhiro 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:29
The fight is ruled a majority draw!
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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
48% |
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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Azusa Moribe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Tutov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Moribe comes to the cage accompanied by Ab-Soul - Ride Slow. Tutov has chosen 7B - Young Winds as his entrance music. 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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| 165 cm
28
135 lbs
12 - 5 - 0 |
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169 cm
27
144 lbs
17 - 10 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Excellent grappler
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
12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Azusa Moribe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Andrey Tutov!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tutov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Moribe's sensitive parts.
Tutov staying out of range there.
Tutov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Tutov tests Moribe's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tutov throws a body shot but no joy.
Tutov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Moribe has time to react.
Moribe works Tutov's body with a nice hook.
Tutov connects with a solid leg kick.
Tutov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Moribe at a distance.
Moribe rushes Tutov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tutov blocks an uppercut.
Tutov is trying to pull guard but Moribe has him pressed against the cage.
Tutov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Moribe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Moribe works on Tutov's body with a couple of short punches.
Tutov manages to pull guard.
Moribe is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Tutov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tutov is pulling down on Moribe's head to control his posture.
Tutov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Moribe has passed into side control.
Moribe stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Moribe connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tutov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Moribe is out of range and Tutov settles back down.
Tutov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Moribe seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Moribe connects with a solid leg kick.
Tutov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Moribe shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tutov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Moribe wants to slow Tutov down by chopping away at his legs.
Tutov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tutov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Moribe napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Moribe tries to buck Tutov off but Tutov is having none of it.
Tutov trying to control the position but Moribe is working away.
Tutov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Tutov has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Moribe!
Moribe regains half guard.
Tutov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Tutov with the ground and pound but Moribe uses the opportunity to regain guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tutov postures up in Moribe's guard and throws a big left but Moribe blocks it.
Moribe controlling the position.
Tutov wants to control from the top but Moribe keeps moving.
Tutov stopping the sweep attempt from Moribe.
Tutov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Moribe trying to keep a closed guard but Tutov is proving a slippery customer.
Tutov throws an elbow that misses. Moribe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tutov's guard. Nice move by Moribe!
Moribe sitting in guard, not really doing much.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tutov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tutov 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.
Moribe is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tutov working for a triangle but Moribe defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Andrey Tutov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!
Tutov misses with an uppercut.
Tutov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As Tutov tries to get set, Moribe tries to push him back and clinch up but Tutov manages to avoid the attempt.
Andrey Tutov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice shot lands for Tutov.
Moribe jabs at Tutov's body.
Tutov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tutov throws a body punch but Moribe moves out of range.
Moribe tries to land a leg kick but Tutov saw it coming and moves away.
A head kick misses from Moribe.
Tutov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Moribe moves out of range of the strikes.
Tutov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Moribe finds it's way round the side to connect with Tutov's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tutov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tutov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Moribe.
Moribe moves away from the strike by Tutov.
Moribe throws a body shot but no joy.
Tutov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Moribe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Moribe 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 Tutov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tutov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tutov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick from Moribe lands but Tutov takes it in his stride.
Tutov just misses with a punch to the body.
Tutov misses with a hook.
Moribe is looking to clinch.
Tutov lands with an uppercut that bounces Moribe off the cage and back into range.
Moribe avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Moribe is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Moribe takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nice defenses there by Tutov.
Tutov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Azusa Moribe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tutov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Tutov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Moribe holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Moribe scores with a shot to the side of Tutov's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Moribe misses with a punch to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Moribe.
Moribe misses with the head strike.
Tutov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Moribes head.
Tutov working aggressively here.
Moribe tries a body shot but Tutov blocks it.
Moribe misses with a short punch on the inside.
Moribe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Moribe.
A short left from Moribe.
Moribe misses with some punches.
Moribe cracks Tutov with a nice body shot.
Moribe swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Moribe misses with a punch on the inside.
Moribe working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tutov.
Moribe lands a hook that snaps the head of Tutov backwards.
Tutov blocks a body shot from Moribe.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Moribe creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tutov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Tutov is trying to pull guard but Moribe turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Tutov wants to get back to striking at distance but Moribe won't allow it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moribe misses with the head strike.
Tutov tries to pull guard but Moribe holds him up against the cage and eventually Tutov drops back down to his feet.
Azusa Moribe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Tutov.
Moribe has a couple of punches blocked by Tutov.
Tutov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Moribe backwards.
Moribe has Tutov pressed against the cage, preventing Tutov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Moribe misses with a punch to the body.
Tutov breaks the clinch.
A slow jab from Tutov misses its intended target.
Tutov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nice jab there from Tutov.
Tutov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Moribe counters with an outside leg kick.
Moribe throws a leg kick but Tutov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Tutov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A big right from Tutov misses.
Moribe lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Moribe throws a body punch but Tutov moves out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tutov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Moribe.
Tutov closes the distance and clinches up with Moribe, looking for a takedown. Tutov pushes Moribe against the cage but Moribe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tutov cracks Moribe with a right hand to the side of the head.
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!
Moribe avoids a kick to the body.
Tutov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Moribe.
Moribe tries to land a front kick but Tutov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A leg kick checked by Tutov.
Moribe has managed to clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Moribe.
Tutov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Tutov keeping full guard, as Moribe tries to pass.
Tutov being controlled here, momentarily.
Tutov is controlling Moribe's posture.
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 Azusa Moribe will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Tutov misses with a looping left.
Moribe swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Moribe misses with a low kick as Tutov jumps back.
Tutov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Moribe fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tutov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Moribe can pounce on him.
Moribe takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Moribe does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Moribe finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tutov throws a shot from downtown. Moribe moves away and avoids it.
Moribe pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Moribe throws a head kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moribe misses with a low kick.
Moribe will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Moribe connects with a crisp jab.
A nice leg kick lands there from Moribe.
Tutov scores with a one two! Moribe had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tutov throws a hook to the side of Moribe's head but Moribe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tutov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Tutov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
An attempted straight right counter from Moribe misses the target.
Moribe fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tutov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nice defenses there by Tutov.
Tutov lands with a slapping head kick.
Tutov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Tutov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tutov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Moribe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tutov 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.
Tutov throws a leg kick but Moribe checks it.
Tutov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tutov connects with a body shot.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tutov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tutov, right into the meat.
Moribe ducks under a wild hook from Tutov.
Moribe throws a leg kick which misses Tutov's front leg but catches the back leg as Tutov tries to avoid it.
Moribe takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Jab by Tutov.
Tutov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Moribe.
Tutov cracks Moribe with an open hand slap.
Nice defenses there by Moribe.
Tutov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tutov lands with an overhand left.
Moribe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tutov.
Good shot there by Moribe.
Tutov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Moribe as he avoids it easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moribe throws a head kick that misses.
Tutov looks to score with a jab to the body but Moribe is just out of range.
Moribe tries to counter by clinching up but Tutov breaks away and moves out of range.
Moribe tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tutov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice uppercut there from Moribe.
An inside leg kick lands from Tutov.
Tutov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Moribe to score with a decent uppercut.
Tutov misses the jab.
Tutov just misses with a punch to the body.
Tutov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tutov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Moribe.
Moribe moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tutov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tutov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tutov moves out of range of the leg kick from Moribe.
Tutov goes for a double leg but Moribe avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Moribe continues to drive forward.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moribe moves into the clinch.
Moribe is leaning against Tutov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tutov tries to pull guard but Moribe holds him up against the cage and eventually Tutov drops back down to his feet.
Azusa Moribe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Tutov.
Moribe tries to throw a body punch but Tutov avoids it by throwing Moribe back against the cage.
Moribe lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tutov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Moribe misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tutov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tutov.
Tutov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tutov tries to circle away but Moribe has him pinned against the cage.
Moribe lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tutov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Moribe to keep the fight standing.
Tutov misses with a punch to the body.
Moribe lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tutov backwards.
Moribe lands with a short shot to the head.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Azusa Moribe.
I think Moribe 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Azusa Moribe!
After winning the bout, Azusa Moribe thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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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
63% |
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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Django Brown (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kirk Boon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brown's entrance music is System Of A Down - Chop Suey! . A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Boon's choice of entrance music: Who are you? Come on, goodbye!. 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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| 167 cm
25
146 lbs
14 - 7 - 0 |
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150 cm
36
130 lbs
19 - 17 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
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
14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Django Brown!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
19 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kirk Boon!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body punch from Boon.
Boon wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Boon stuns Brown with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Boon lands with a shot to the body.
Brown throws a low kick but Boon moves out of range easily.
Boon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Brown keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Boon jabs Brown to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Boon cracks a nice hook into Brown's ribs.
Brown jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Boon cracks a nice hook into Brown's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Brown moves away.
Brown drives through with a takedown into guard.
Boon looking for a sweep. Not yet Boon, not yet.
Boon is still trying to improve position.
Brown scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Brown postures up and lands a big shot to Boon's brow.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown postures up in Boon's guard and throws a big left but Boon blocks it.
Boon is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Boon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Brown gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Boon throws his legs up looking for a submission but Brown uses it to pass to side control.
Boon is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Brown is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Boon really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Boon regains half guard.
Boon looking for submissions off his back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boon tries to get to full guard but Brown has control of the leg.
Boon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Brown not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Brown 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.
Boon tries to roll over but Brown keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boon actively working from the bottom here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boon tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Brown has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Boon is looking to get to half guard.
Brown controlling from the full mount.
Brown raining down shots from the mount!
Brown manages to capitalize on a mistake by Boon to take his back!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brown is hanging on to Boon's back as he tries to escape.
Brown is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Boon knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Boon for a finish.
Boon turns into Brown and is now in his guard.
Brown looking for a sweep. Not yet Brown, not yet.
Boon drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Brown manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Boon has Brown in his guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boon looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Kirk Boon will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!
Boon misses the shot to the body.
Brown looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Boon throws a body shot but no joy.
Boon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Brown moves away.
Boon stuns Brown with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Boon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Boon misses the shot to the body.
Brown drops down looking for a counter takedown but Boon sprawls and moves away.
A slow jab from Brown misses its intended target.
Boon swings for the body but Brown moves out of range.
Brown connects with a leg kick. Boon looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Boon looks to score with a jab to the body but Brown is just out of range.
Boon just misses with a punch to the body.
Kirk Boon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boon throws a body punch but Brown moves out of range.
Brown tries to counter with a takedown but Boon is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brown darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Boon scores with a body shot.
Boon comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Boon misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Boon. Brown does a little dance to reset his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Boon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Boon looks to score with a jab to the body but Brown is just out of range.
Boon ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Brown keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Boon lands a right hook to the body.
Boon takes a jab right on the kisser.
Boon is rocked!
Boon connects with a body shot.
Boon is still on wobbly legs! Can Brown finish him?
Brown closes the distance looking for a takedown. Boon stuffs it but Brown still has hold of him. Brown picks Boon up in a fireman's lift! The crowd roars in approval. Brown slams Boon to the floor and that's really hurt Boon - he doesn't know where he is! Brown throws a couple of strikes and the referee steps in to save him! This one is in the books!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Django Brown!
A victorious Django Brown 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
45% |
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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Udo Hitzlsperger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jami Balkan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!
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| 175 cm
29
160 lbs
13 - 2 - 0 |
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177 cm
28
162 lbs
16 - 8 - 0 |
Great wrestler
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 lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Udo Hitzlsperger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jami Balkan!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Ian Loll and Robert Douchet.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balkan throws a body shot but no joy.
Hitzlsperger 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.
Balkan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hitzlsperger shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Balkan pinned against the cage. Balkan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Balkan checks a leg kick.
Balkan throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hitzlsperger connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Balkan's hands.
Hitzlsperger throws a nice outside leg kick.
Balkan misses with a looping right.
Hitzlsperger tries to move into range but Balkan moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balkan will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hitzlsperger swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Balkan avoids a kick to the body.
Balkan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hitzlsperger was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Balkan walks into a stiff left hand from Hitzlsperger.
Balkan throws a front kick aimed at Hitzlsperger's knee but Hitzlsperger avoids it well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan scores with a body shot.
Hitzlsperger moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hitzlsperger takes one to the chin there.
Hitzlsperger misses with a leg kick.
Hitzlsperger takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hitzlsperger scores with a shot to the body.
Hitzlsperger's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Balkan connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hitzlsperger scrambles back to his feet.
Hitzlsperger ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Balkan misses with an uppercut.
Hitzlsperger digs a good hook to Balkan's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balkan buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hitzlsperger scores with a leg kick.
Balkan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hitzlsperger.
Hitzlsperger swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hitzlsperger on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitzlsperger blocks a low kick nicely.
Balkan connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hitzlsperger fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Balkan is out of range.
Jami Balkan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Balkan throws out a leg kick but Hitzlsperger moves out of range and Balkan only half commits.
Balkan darts in and clinches Hitzlsperger up against the cage.
Hitzlsperger tries a body shot but Balkan blocks it.
Hitzlsperger tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Balkan's elbow.
Balkan makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hitzlsperger misses with a punch on the inside.
Balkan swings wildly with an uppercut but Hitzlsperger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hitzlsperger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short left from Hitzlsperger.
Hitzlsperger blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hitzlsperger.
Hitzlsperger lands a left hand that snaps the head of Balkan backwards.
Hitzlsperger working aggressively here.
Balkan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hitzlsperger working aggressively here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Hitzlsperger as the two fighters clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Balkan fails to land.
Balkan lands a left hand.
Hitzlsperger tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Balkan's elbow.
Hitzlsperger throws a punch but it's blocked by Balkan.
Balkan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hitzlspergers head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hitzlsperger.
Balkan lands a left hand.
Balkan working aggressively here.
A right hand to the body from Balkan.
Hitzlsperger stalling.
Balkan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Balkan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hitzlsperger tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Balkan's elbow.
Balkan wants to stall.
Balkan misses with some punches.
Balkan working aggressively here.
Hitzlsperger can't find room to land a body shot as Balkan controls the action.
Balkan lands with a right to the head.
Hitzlsperger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balkan throws a head punch that misses.
Balkan lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hitzlsperger.
Balkan tries to stall but Hitzlsperger uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hitzlsperger.
Balkan tries to throw a body punch but Hitzlsperger avoids it by throwing Balkan back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hitzlsperger.
Hitzlsperger working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hitzlsperger working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hitzlsperger misses with some punches.
Balkan blocks a body shot from Hitzlsperger.
Balkan pushes Hitzlsperger back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Balkan looking to stall.
Hitzlsperger working aggressively here.
Hitzlsperger misses with some punches.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Balkan is trying to stall.
Hitzlsperger lands a right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hitzlsperger works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Balkan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Jami Balkan will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Hitzlsperger tries a low kick but Balkan avoids it.
Nice jab there from Balkan.
Balkan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Balkan fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hitzlsperger is out of range.
Hitzlsperger lands a jab to the nose.
Jami Balkan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice leg kick lands there from Balkan.
Hitzlsperger lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Balkan at a distance.
Balkan lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hitzlsperger slips under a jab.
Balkan throws a good cross that connects.
Hitzlsperger is rocked!
Balkan cracks Hitzlsperger with a hook to the temple - Hitzlsperger is on wobbly legs here! Balkan swarms him with hook after hook, landing with each one! Hitzlsperger falls to the canvas face first and the referee dives in to stop the fight! Balkan wins by TKO!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Jami Balkan!
During a confident post fight interview, Jami Balkan 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
61% |
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Co-main event
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Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rob Tracey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abah Okafor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tracey's entrance music is Metallica - Seek & Destroy. A fine choice. 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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| 173 cm
29
152 lbs
20 - 4 - 0 |
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174 cm
29
156 lbs
14 - 4 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
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
20 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rob Tracey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Abah Okafor!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Robert Douchet and Yves DeLean.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tracey misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Okafor follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Tracey takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Okafor misses with a wild body shot.
A quick step to the side and Tracey tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tracey throws a combination. Okafor tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
It looks like Abah Okafor has been cut.
Okafor slips a jab from Tracey.
Okafor throws a lazy right hand but Tracey sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tracey is looking for a counter combo.
Okafor checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Abah Okafor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tracey scores with a decent looking hook.
Okafor has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Okafor throws a nice looking combination but Tracey bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Okafor looks to land a left hand but Tracey moved out of range nicely.
Okafor walks into a straight right hand from Tracey.
Tracey scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tracey throws out a loose jab but Okafor uses good head movement to avoid it.
Okafor looks to land a right hand but Tracey moved out of range.
Okafor throws a lazy right hand but Tracey sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Okafor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tracey manages to avoid it.
It looked like Tracey was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Okafor looks to land a right hand but Tracey moved out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Good exchange - Okafor coming out on top.
Okafor swinging wildly here.
Okafor tries a head kick but it misses.
Okafor connects with a solid leg kick.
Okafor throws a front kick aimed at Tracey's knee but Tracey avoids it well.
Okafor keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tracey showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Okafor.
Tracey slips a jab from Okafor.
Okafor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tracey.
A bone on bone clash there as Okafor blocks the leg kick.
Tracey throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Okafor scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
It looks like Rob Tracey has been cut.
Okafor lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Okafor.
Tracey is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Okafor lands with a thumping leg kick.
Oh Tracey is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Okafor looks to score with a jab to the body but Tracey is just out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tracey doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tracey seems to have got his legs back now.
Tracey tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Okafor was well out of range. Poor timing from Tracey.
Tracey definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Okafor avoids a punch combination nicely.
Okafor steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tracey.
Okafor throws out a counter right but Tracey avoids it with no problem.
Tracey swinging wildly here.
Tracey avoids a kick to the body.
Tracey lands a nice hook to Okafor's body. Okafor takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Okafor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Okafor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Okafor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Okafor swings widly with a right hand
and Tracey counters with a nice body shot.
Okafor defending well as Tracey loads up on a big left hand.
Okafor moves out of range as Tracey strikes.
Okafor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tracey throwing a counter right hand but Okafor manages to avoid it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor digs a good body shot into Tracey's ribs.
Okafor fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tracey has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tracey misses with a double jab.
Tracey misses with a few strikes there.
Okafor connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tracey momentarily.
Jab, jab by Tracey - just one landing.
Okafor takes a swing at Tracey's ribcage but misses.
Okafor lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Okafor is looking to slow Tracey down with leg kicks.
Tracey dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tracey fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Okafor manages to avoid it.
A jab from Tracey misses.
Okafor swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Okafor looks to score with a jab to the body but Tracey is just out of range.
Okafor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tracey is looking to score with low kicks.
Tracey looks to throw the jab but Okafor is out of range.
Okafor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tracey seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Tracey misses the shot to the body.
Okafor throws the kick towards the body but Tracey avoids it.
Tracey throws a body punch but Okafor moves out of range.
Tracey cracks Okafor with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tracey misses with a low kick.
Tracey throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Okafor throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Okafor misses with a leg kick
and Tracey counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Okafor fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tracey has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Okafor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tracey.
A low kick from Okafor is predictable there
and Tracey counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tracey tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Okafor is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Tracey with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Abah Okafor will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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.
Okafor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tracey manages to avoid it.
Tracey swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Okafor blocks a head kick by Tracey.
The crowd cheers as Tracey lands an impressive looking overhand right. Okafor doesn't seem phased though.
Tracey misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tracey cracks Okafor with an open hand slap.
Rob Tracey is winning the standup battle so far.
Okafor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tracey circles away quickly and effectively.
Okafor throws a low kick but Tracey avoids it.
Tracey is looking to counter punch.
Okafor bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Tracey's head.
Tracey slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okafor keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Okafor shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Tracey eats them both and turns towards Okafor to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Okafor uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tracey.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Okafor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tracey walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tracey loads up on a big right hand but Okafor slips the punch.
Tracey takes a swing at Okafor's ribcage but misses.
Okafor throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tracey.
Tracey misses with a two punch combination.
Tracey lands with a hook. Okafor tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Okafor scores with a punch to the head.
Tracey misses with a straight left.
Tracey misses the jab.
Okafor clobbers Tracey with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Okafor chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tracey can pounce on him.
Tracey uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Okafor.
Okafor does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Okafor throws a nice outside leg kick.
A jab from Tracey misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor lands with a nice body punch.
Okafor avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tracey uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Okafor.
Okafor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tracey slips a jab from Okafor.
A nice leg kick lands there from Okafor.
Okafor misses with a looping right.
Tracey throwing a counter right hand but Okafor manages to avoid it.
A clash of legs there as Tracey blocks the low kick.
A big left from Tracey misses.
Okafor is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Tracey with a body shot.
Okafor blocks a jab.
A bone on bone clash there as Okafor blocks the leg kick.
Tracey throws a hook but Okafor avoids it easily.
No joy there for Tracey, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Okafor changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Okafor scores with a hook.
Tracey avoids a punch combination nicely.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tracey throws an overhand right that lands on Okafor's shoulder, as Okafor tries to avoid the shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tracey.
Okafor fakes the leg kick and cracks Tracey in the body.
Okafor misses with a lunging right hand
and Tracey makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tracey slips a straight right by Okafor.
Okafor is looking to slow Tracey down with leg kicks.
Tracey misses the jab.
A little jabbing left from Okafor on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Okafor throws a sloppy head kick and Tracey moves out of range easily.
Tracey went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Okafor ducks under a wild hook from Tracey.
Okafor tries to work over Tracey's front leg with a kick but Tracey checks it.
Tracey swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tracey is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Okafor scores with a punch to the head.
Tracey throws a series of punches but Okafor avoids them all with ease.
Okafor attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tracey throws a leg kick
and Okafor counters with a nice leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Okafor.
Okafor with a nice cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Okafor throws a hook but Tracey avoids it easily.
Okafor has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tracey connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tracey misses with a series of wild punches.
Tracey misses with a straight right.
Tracey throws a leg kick but Okafor sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Okafor looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Okafor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Okafor scores with a nice body kick.
Tracey tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Okafor was well out of range. Poor timing from Tracey.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Abah Okafor will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Tracey's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!
Okafor feints and then cracks Tracey's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tracey down.
Okafor swings for the body but Tracey moves out of range.
Tracey takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Jab from Tracey.
Tracey connects with a solid leg kick.
A head kick by Tracey misses
and Okafor cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tracey looks to throw the jab but Okafor is out of range.
Okafor ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Okafor throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Okafor dodges the punch combination from Tracey.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Tracey.
Tracey swinging wildly here.
Okafor throws a sloppy body shot
and Tracey connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Okafor turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor loads up on a big right hand but Tracey slips the punch.
Tracey fires out a quick counter leg kick but Okafor just manages to avoid it.
Okafor dodges the punch combination from Tracey.
Tracey thows a left - swing and a miss!
Okafor throws a body punch but Tracey moves out of range.
Tracey throws a shot to the body.
Okafor takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Okafor lands a leg kick that knocks Tracey off balance momentarily.
Tracey throws a big shot that misses.
Okafor swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tracey counters with an outside leg kick.
Good exchange - Tracey coming out on top.
Okafor looks to land a right hand but Tracey moved out of range.
Okafor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tracey sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tracey chopping away at his opponent's legs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tracey ducks under a wild hook from Okafor.
Tracey swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tracey plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
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!
Okafor misses with a looping right.
Tracey looks to land a right hand but Okafor moved out of range.
Okafor punishes Tracey's body with a nice straight punch.
Okafor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tracey checks a low kick from Okafor.
Tracey moves away from the strike by Okafor.
Okafor fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tracey fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tracey loads up on a big right hand but Okafor slips the punch.
Okafor avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tracey tries to bum rush Okafor with a series of wild strikes but Okafor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Okafor feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tracey's calf.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tracey lands with an uppercut that bounces Okafor off the cage and back into range.
Okafor moves out of range of the strikes.
Okafor misses with a low kick.
Tracey takes one to the chin there.
Okafor moves away from the strike by Tracey.
Tracey misses with a hook
and Okafor counters with a thumping low kick.
Rob Tracey has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Okafor lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tracey works Okafor's body with a nice hook.
A jab from Okafor does it's job there.
Tracey pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tracey's corner calls for a 1-2. Tracey obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tracey defending well as Okafor loads up on a big left hand.
Okafor looks to score with a jab to the body but Tracey is just out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okafor swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Okafor connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tracey displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Okafor checks a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Okafor. Tracey does a little dance to reset his feet.
Okafor changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Okafor, as that shot connected.
Okafor lands a nice looking body shot.
Tracey looks to land a right hand but Okafor moved out of range.
A big left from Tracey misses.
Okafor let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Tracey throws a jab but it's blocked by Okafor.
Okafor walks into a stiff left hand from Tracey.
Okafor uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tracey.
Okafor misses with a low kick.
And that's the end of the fight!
Rob Tracey showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Okafor 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Abah Okafor!
Abah Okafor bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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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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Main event
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Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Peter Taphorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Kunitskiy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Peter Taphorn has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 170 cm
28
153 lbs
21 - 8 - 1 |
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173 cm
27
146 lbs
12 - 4 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
21 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Peter Taphorn!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Vladimir Kunitskiy!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Dillan Fox and Yves DeLean.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kunitskiy throws a sloppy head kick and Taphorn moves out of range easily.
Kunitskiy moves out of range of the body kick from Taphorn.
Taphorn throws a leg kick but Kunitskiy moved away.
Taphorn chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kunitskiy can pounce on him.
Kunitskiy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kunitskiy lands a nice shot to the body.
Taphorn bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kunitskiy's head.
Taphorn fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kunitskiy manages to avoid it.
Taphorn looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Taphorn misses with a low kick.
Kunitskiy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taphorn moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taphorn moves into range and clinches up with Kunitskiy.
Taphorn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Taphorn.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kunitskiy has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Kunitskiy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Taphorn.
Taphorn blocking some punches.
Taphorn misses with a punch to the body.
Kunitskiy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunitskiy throws a head punch that misses.
Kunitskiy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Taphorn.
Kunitskiy lands a good knee to the midsection. Taphorn won't want to take too many of those.
Taphorn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kunitskiy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Taphorn's brow.
Kunitskiy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taphorn misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kunitskiy.
Taphorn tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Taphorn avoids a wild elbow strike from Kunitskiy.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A short right from Taphorn on the inside.
Taphorn trying to land knees to the body.
Taphorn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vladimir Kunitskiy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Taphorn, right into the meat.
Kunitskiy lands with a kick to the temple. Taphorn shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A solid leg kick lands there for Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy scores with a head kick. Taphorn tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kunitskiy lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Taphorn takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kunitskiy tries to work over Taphorn's front leg with a kick but Taphorn checks it.
Kunitskiy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Taphorn has managed to clinch.
Taphorn throws a head punch that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kunitskiy as Taphorn tries to tie him up.
Taphorn tries to pull guard but Kunitskiy won't allow it.
Taphorn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kunitskiy backwards.
Kunitskiy swings wildly with an uppercut but Taphorn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taphorn can't find room to land a body shot as Kunitskiy controls the action.
Taphorn lands an uppercut.
Kunitskiy has hold of one of Taphorn's legs. Taphorn is fighting the takedown attempt but Kunitskiy gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Kunitskiy tries to free his leg and advance position but Taphorn is retaining full guard.
Kunitskiy with a flurry of punches that miss.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kunitskiy pushes down on Taphorn's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Taphorn wants to get back to full guard.
Kunitskiy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Taphorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kunitskiy pulls his head out easily.
Taphorn looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kunitskiy takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kunitskiy works his way into side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn is trying to control Kunitskiy's posture but Kunitskiy avoids it.
Kunitskiy scoring with punches and elbows.
You can see the frustration on Taphorn's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kunitskiy working the ground and pound.
Kunitskiy controlling from side mount.
Kunitskiy postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Vladimir Kunitskiy dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Taphorn misses the shot to the body.
Vladimir Kunitskiy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kunitskiy blocks a low kick nicely.
Kunitskiy looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Taphorn desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Kunitskiy looks to land a strike but Taphorn avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kunitskiy pushing down on Taphorn's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Taphorn is looking to control Kunitskiy's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taphorn avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kunitskiy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kunitskiy trying to pass the guard but Taphorn defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taphorn tries to get to full guard but Kunitskiy has control of the leg.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Taphorn trying to hold on to Kunitskiy's head to control him but Kunitskiy postures up.
Kunitskiy is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Taphorn defends it well.
Taphorn has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kunitskiy is working away from the top position though.
Kunitskiy thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vladimir Kunitskiy has got the better of the ground game so far.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kunitskiy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Taphorn keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Taphorn.
Kunitskiy throws a leg kick that misses.
Kunitskiy scores with a hook to the body. Taphorn takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A solid leg kick lands there for Taphorn.
Kunitskiy lands with a good body shot.
Taphorn swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kunitskiy counters with a low kick, right behind Taphorn 's knee.
Taphorn throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kunitskiy connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Taphorn blocks a head kick by Kunitskiy.
Taphorn half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Taphorn keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kunitskiy dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Taphorn. That did some damage!
Taphorn lands a glancing blow to the side of Kunitskiy's head.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Taphorn checks a leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kunitskiy jabs Taphorn to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Taphorn.
Kunitskiy lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kunitskiy connects with an inside leg kick.
Taphorn blocks a head kick by Kunitskiy.
Taphorn gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kunitskiy misses with an elbow over the top.
Kunitskiy lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kunitskiy prevents a body shot from Taphorn.
Kunitskiy tries to work over Taphorn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kunitskiy lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Taphorn backwards.
Kunitskiy lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Taphorn backwards.
Taphorn trying to control the position but instead, Kunitskiy has worked for underhooks and has pushed Taphorn into the cage.
Peter Taphorn has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kunitskiy misses with a body punch.
Taphorn tries to pull guard but Kunitskiy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kunitskiy backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taphorn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Taphorn can't find room to land a body shot as Kunitskiy controls the action.
Taphorn prevents a body shot from Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy lands a takedown into guard.
Kunitskiy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kunitskiy trying to move into half guard but instead Taphorn has managed to sweep!
Taphorn trying to control but Kunitskiy is working from the bottom.
Kunitskiy looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Vladimir Kunitskiy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!
Kunitskiy throws a low kick but it's checked well by Taphorn.
Taphorn looks to land a right hand but Kunitskiy moved out of range.
Kunitskiy throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kunitskiy walks into a stiff left hand from Taphorn.
Taphorn throws a big shot that misses.
Kunitskiy shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Taphorn's guard.
Kunitskiy trying to control but Taphorn is working from the bottom.
Kunitskiy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kunitskiy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taphorn had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kunitskiy defends it easily.
Kunitskiy advances to half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunitskiy wants to control but Taphorn is keeping him busy.
Kunitskiy missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kunitskiy thows a huge punch but Taphorn dodges it nicely.
Taphorn blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kunitskiy.
Nice strikes from Kunitskiy there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kunitskiy lands a nice short elbow.
Taphorn looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kunitskiy is trying to control the action in half guard but Taphorn is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Taphorn is trying is best to control the position here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Taphorn is looking to control Kunitskiy's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taphorn avoid being mounted?
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kunitskiy chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kunitskiy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kunitskiy throws a body shot but no joy.
Kunitskiy's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Taphorn connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kunitskiy scrambles back to his feet.
Kunitskiy looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taphorn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kunitskiy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Taphorn is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kunitskiy is aware though and is defending well.
Kunitskiy lands a couple of elbows.
Kunitskiy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn working for a triangle but Kunitskiy defends it easily.
Taphorn is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kunitskiy defends well.
Taphorn keeping moving, preventing Kunitskiy from controlling successfully.
Kunitskiy might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Taphorn haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Taphorn keeping full guard, as Kunitskiy tries to pass.
Kunitskiy slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kunitskiy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Taphorn looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Taphorn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kunitskiy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kunitskiy advances position into side control!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Taphorn is trying to escape the position but Kunitskiy is controlling the position.
Taphorn regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Vladimir Kunitskiy really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Kunitskiy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Taphorn throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kunitskiy swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Taphorn fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kunitskiy checks it well.
Kunitskiy looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Taphorn checks a leg kick.
Taphorn avoids the body shot from Kunitskiy.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kunitskiy lands with a shot to the body.
Taphorn takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taphorn closes the distance and clinches.
Taphorn working hard to break the clinch.
Kunitskiy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taphorn tries to throw a body punch but Kunitskiy avoids it by throwing Taphorn back against the cage.
Taphorn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Taphorn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunitskiy lands a right hand.
Taphorn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kunitskiy tries to throw a body punch but Taphorn avoids it by throwing Kunitskiy back against the cage.
Taphorn blocks the elbow strike.
Kunitskiy prevents a body shot from Taphorn.
Kunitskiy gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Kunitskiy is thwarting Taphorn's attempts to control the position.
Taphorn gets full guard.
Kunitskiy throws a big right hand that misses.
Taphorn trying to keep a closed guard but Kunitskiy is proving a slippery customer.
Kunitskiy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Taphorn swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn is looking for a triangle but Kunitskiy pushes his legs off easily.
Kunitskiy postures up in Taphorn's guard and throws a big left but Taphorn blocks it.
Taphorn is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Taphorn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kunitskiy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kunitskiy is looking to work some ground and pound but Taphorn has wrist control.
Taphorn has his hands on Kunitskiy's head, controlling the position.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kunitskiy listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn cracks Kunitskiy with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kunitskiy lands with a kick to the temple. Taphorn shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kunitskiy lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Taphorn scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kunitskiy throws a body punch but Taphorn moves out of range.
A big left from Kunitskiy misses.
Kunitskiy shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kunitskiy showed some decent athleticism there.
Taphorn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kunitskiy throwing shots but Taphorn is blocking nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kunitskiy pulls his head out easily.
Kunitskiy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Taphorn keeps working.
Taphorn wants to improve his position but Kunitskiy is controlling well.
Taphorn trying to control here.
Kunitskiy is keen to just control but Taphorn is a slippery customer.
Taphorn wants to get back to full guard.
Taphorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kunitskiy pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Vladimir Kunitskiy dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Taphorn looks for the body kick but Kunitskiy saw that one coming.
Kunitskiy feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Taphorns jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kunitskiy thuds a left hand into Taphorn's body.
Kunitskiy slips a jab and a cross from Taphorn.
Taphorn shoots in looking for a takedown. Kunitskiy tries to sprawl out of it but Taphorn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kunitskiy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Taphorn rushes Kunitskiy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taphorn prevents a body shot from Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kunitskiy makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Taphorn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Taphorn is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Taphorn tries to work over Kunitskiy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Taphorn is looking to control Kunitskiy's arms but Kunitskiy gets an underhook and turns him. Now Taphorn has his back to the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunitskiy blocks an uppercut.
Taphorn lands with a short shot to the head.
Kunitskiy misses with a knee to the head.
Kunitskiy struggles to land a body shot inside as Taphorn controls his hands.
Taphorn throws a punch but it's blocked by Kunitskiy.
Taphorn is trying to pull guard but Kunitskiy has him pressed against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kunitskiy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kunitskiy wants the takedown. Taphorn is fighting it off but Kunitskiy persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Taphorn's guard against the cage.
Taphorn working for submissions but it's allowed Kunitskiy to get to half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kunitskiy lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kunitskiy thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Peter Taphorn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn looking for submissions off his back.
Taphorn is trying to get back to full guard.
Kunitskiy passes to full mount!
Taphorn is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kunitskiy lands a nice shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kunitskiy lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Taphorn hang on?
Taphorn is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kunitskiy scoring with strikes but Taphorn is staying in there.
Kunitskiy prevents Taphorn from getting the reversal.
Kunitskiy working the ground and pound effectively.
Taphorn tries to hold on but Kunitskiy pushes him away.
Taphorn is looking to get to half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn tries to hold on but Kunitskiy pushes him away.
Taphorn is in a horrible position here. Kunitskiy smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kunitskiy with shots to the head and body - Taphorn looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kunitskiy landing punches.
Kunitskiy lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Taphorn can't escape the position.
Taphorn manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Taphorn is refusing to be controlled, as Kunitskiy sits in half guard.
Taphorn looking for submissions off his back.
And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Kunitskiy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kunitskiy 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 William Peck scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 45:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Kunitskiy!
Vladimir Kunitskiy is the new featherweight champion!
A victorious Vladimir Kunitskiy 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
47% |
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