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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juju Baraka (ranked 2238 p4p, 2578 weight class) and Tali Ihantala (ranked 251 p4p, 278 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Baraka might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Burning Spear. Ihantala is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by For Heavy Metal we will die!. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.
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203 cm 23 235 2 - 1 - 0 |
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203 cm 23 253 1 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling Excellent boxer Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler Excellent MT Granite chin |
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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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Juju Baraka! And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tali Ihantala! The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, William Gold and James Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Baraka comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range. Baraka throws a front kick aimed at Ihantala's knee but Ihantala avoids it well. Baraka looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ihantala's coach down at Heavy Metal was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ihantala's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight. Baraka misses with a straight right. Juju Baraka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. Baraka moves into range and connects with a jab. Ihantala throws a lazy right hand but Baraka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily. Ihantala slips under a jab from Baraka. And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ihantala! But no joy. Baraka thows a left - swing and a miss! Baraka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ihantala manages to avoid it. Baraka cracks Ihantala with a right hand to the side of the head. Baraka lands a body shot.
Ihantala throws an off balance right hand
enabling Baraka to counter with a crisp jab. Baraka misses with a left hand and Ihantala cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
It looks like Juju Baraka has been cut. Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. Baraka moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Baraka throws a shot from downtown. Ihantala moves away and avoids it. Baraka backing away here, and Ihantala unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
That's one minute gone in the round. Good leg kick by Baraka. Baraka misses the jab. Ihantala bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes. Ihantala bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick. Ihantala bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes. Ihantala tries to bum rush Baraka with a series of wild strikes but Baraka uses good footwork to avoid the assault. Baraka takes a swing at Ihantala's ribcage but misses. Baraka misses with a hook. Ihantala ducked under it nicely. Baraka throws a looping overhand right but Ihantala ducks down to avoid it. Baraka fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ihantala is out of range. A solid body kick from Baraka. Baraka slips under a jab from Ihantala. Baraka scores with a leg kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Baraka throws a big shot that misses. Baraka misses with a right hand enabling Ihantala to counter with a crisp jab. Baraka lands with a hook. Ihantala tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Ihantala uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Baraka. Baraka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ihantala.
Baraka dips down and scores with a jab to the body. Baraka connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ihantala. Ihantala circles away out of range and recomposes himself. A swing and a miss from Baraka. A jab from Baraka misses. Baraka wants to clinch up but Ihantala keeps it at a distance. Ihantala slips under a jab from Baraka. Baraka throws a wild body kick that Ihantala sees coming a mile off. A clash of legs there as Baraka blocks the low kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round. A clash of legs there as Baraka blocks the low kick. Baraka fakes the leg kick and cracks Ihantala in the body. Baraka misses with a hook. Ihantala ducked under it nicely. Baraka misses with a jab to the body
and Ihantala counters with a lovely straight right hand! Baraka drives through and clinches with Ihantala against the cage.
Baraka has a couple of punches blocked by Ihantala.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ihantala. A short right hand to the side of the head by Baraka. A short left from Baraka. An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ihantala. A short right hand to the side of the head by Ihantala. Ihantala scores with a shot to the side of Baraka's head. Baraka struggles to land a body shot inside as Ihantala controls his hands.
Baraka is trying to force a seperation but Ihantala has the dominant position. Baraka misses with a body punch.
Baraka swings wildly with an uppercut but Ihantala uses good head movement to avoid it. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Ihantala goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Baraka scores with a hook to the body. Ihantala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Baraka's corner calls for a 1-2. Baraka obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range. Baraka lunges at Ihantala with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ihantala's hand. Baraka lands with a straight right. Ihantala didn't see that one coming. Baraka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ihantala 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. Baraka misses with a head kick.
Ihantala ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face. Baraka keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
As Ihantala tries to get set, Baraka tries to push him back and clinch up but Ihantala manages to avoid the attempt. Baraka rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ihantala counters with a right hand to the body. Baraka lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected. Baraka darts in and out, connecting with a jab. Baraka looks to land a right hand but Ihantala moved out of range. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Juju Baraka dominated that round. The cut man is working on Juju Baraka's cut. That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ihantala misses with a low kick as Baraka jumps back. A shot to the liver by Baraka. Beautiful body shot. Baraka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ihantala. Ihantala misses with an uppercut. Baraka saw that one coming. Baraka lands a nice shot to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Baraka. Baraka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Baraka throws a hook but Ihantala avoids it easily. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Baraka misses with an uppercut. Ihantala saw that one coming. Ihantala swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made. Baraka misses with a left hand and Ihantala counters into the clinch. Nicely done. Ihantala misses with some punches.
Ihantala pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat. Ihantala throws a leg kick that is checked and Baraka counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ihantala's knee momentarily.
That's one minute gone in the round. Baraka with a nice calf kick. Baraka lands with an overhand left. Ihantala takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A decent looking cross lands there for Baraka. Baraka throws an overhand right that lands on Ihantala's shoulder, as Ihantala tries to avoid the shot. Juju Baraka is winning the standup battle so far. Baraka throws a shot from downtown. Ihantala moves away and avoids it. Ihantala throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Baraka sees it coming and avoids it easily. Baraka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ihantala. Ihantala is clearly looking to counter with head kicks. Ihantala takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Baraka misses the jab. A clash of legs there as Ihantala blocks the low kick. Baraka scores with a one two! Ihantala had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes. Baraka swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ihantala.
That's two minutes gone in the round. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Good shot there by Baraka. Baraka's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ihantala under the eye. Baraka throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ihantala cracks him with a counter punch right on the button. Ihantala takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness. Ihantala throws a low kick but Baraka moves out of range easily. Baraka feinted there with a counter leg kick. Ihantala on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere. Ihantala takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket. Ihantala throws a right and a left that Baraka avoids nicely. Baraka digs a good hook to Ihantala's body.
Ihantala misses with a combination
and Baraka counters with a nice body kick.
Ihantala takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ihantala's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Baraka lands with an uppercut that bounces Ihantala off the cage and back into range. A jab from Baraka misses. Baraka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab by Ihantala. Baraka misses with a leg kick. A slapping body kick lands there for Baraka. Baraka keeps Ihantala at a distance using the push kick. Nice defenses there by Baraka. Baraka lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin. Baraka chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Baraka lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ihantala takes a step back to recover. Baraka misses with a wild body shot. Baraka throws the left hand but Ihantala avoids the punch easily.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Baraka sizes up Ihantala with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Baraka misses with a leg kick and Ihantala counters with a left and a right that stings Baraka. Baraka misses the shot to the body. Baraka throws a half hearted mid kick. Ihantala jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ihantala throws a leg kick and Baraka counters with a leg kick. Baraka bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ihantala's head backwards. Baraka's Muay Thai looks sharper than normal. He has obviously been working on it in the gym. Ihantala scores with the left hand. Baraka knows he should have avoided that one. The fighters circling - Baraka throws out the jab but it was never going to land. Ihantala wants to counter the offense by Baraka and move into the clinch position. Baraka avoids a lazy jab quite easily. A telegraphed right hand from Ihantala misses the target. Baraka connects with a crisp jab. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Juju Baraka dominated that second round. The cut man is working on Juju Baraka's cut. That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round! That kick from Baraka tenderised Ihantala's leg. Ihantala is trying to keep his angry face on. Baraka takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards. Baraka showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ihantala.
Baraka scores with a nice head shot. Ihantala throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean. Nice defenses there by Ihantala. Baraka looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Baraka feints and then cracks Ihantala's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ihantala down. Baraka lands a nice shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Baraka misses the target. Ihantala throws a lazy right hand but Baraka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
That's one minute gone in the round. Baraka throws a shot from downtown. Ihantala moves away and avoids it. A looping hook to the body misses from Ihantala. Baraka does a little dance to reset his feet. Baraka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ihantala can do to turn this around? Baraka moves out of range of the body kick from Ihantala.
Baraka scores with a leg kick.
Ihantala throws an overhand right that lands on Baraka's shoulder, as Baraka tries to avoid the shot. Ihantala throws a head kick that half lands.
Baraka throws a hook to the side of Ihantala's head but Ihantala sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully. Ihantala now looks to counter with a shot at the body. Baraka misses with a low kick. Ihantala counters with a body kick. A jab from Ihantala misses. Baraka throws a quick inside leg kick. Baraka lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise. Ihantala is looking to chop away at Baraka's legs. Tali Ihantala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round. Ihantala lands the left hand.
Juju Baraka's cut is getting worse. Baraka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ihantala throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ihantala keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ihantala takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it. We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Ihantala lets loose with a powerful body kick. Baraka will feel that in the morning. Baraka thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Ihantala if he has to take too many more of those.
Ihantala misses with a few strikes there.
Baraka tried to counter with a leg kick but Ihantala avoided it. Baraka lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh. Ihantala has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye. Ihantala takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ihantala is looking to slow Baraka down with leg kicks. Ihantala throws a body punch but Baraka moves out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Baraka is looking to chop away at Ihantala's legs. A big left from Ihantala misses. Ihantala has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Baraka. Baraka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ihantala. Baraka throws a jab but it's blocked by Ihantala. Ihantala steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Baraka. Baraka connects with an inside leg kick. Baraka thows a left - swing and a miss! Baraka looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Baraka throws a solid leg kick but Ihantala takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Baraka. Baraka thumps Ihantala with a low kick. Ihantala is looking to slow Baraka down with leg kicks. Baraka getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Baraka buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Baraka throws a leg kick which misses Ihantala's front leg but catches the back leg as Ihantala tries to avoid it. Baraka throws a half hearted mid kick. Baraka takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ihantala misses with a hook. Ihantala defending well as Baraka loads up on a big left hand. Ihantala slips a straight right by Baraka. And Ihantala responds with a good body kick, but Baraka manages to step out the way in time. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Ihantala takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ihantala misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Baraka fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ihantala on the side of the head. Baraka throws a nice inside leg kick. Juju Baraka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach. A telegraphed right hand from Baraka misses the target. Ihantala is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
And that's the end of the fight! Juju Baraka showed his dominance in that final round. Well Baraka has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27 Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27 Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juju Baraka! A relieved looking Juju Baraka thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
67% |
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