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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Odin Markkanen (ranked 1460 p4p, 1136 weight class) and Gareth Keenan Jr (ranked 131 p4p, 101 weight class). Gareth Keenan Jr is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.
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| 170 cm
31
150
8 - 0 - 0 |
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179 cm
34
150
16 - 12 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
Excellent MT
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 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Odin Markkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gareth Keenan Jr!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Atkins and William Gold.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markkanen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Markkanen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Keenan Jr defends it nicely.
Keenan Jr stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Keenan Jr wants it to stay on the feet.
Markkanen tries to work over Keenan Jr's front leg with a kick but Keenan Jr checks it.
Markkanen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Markkanen throws a nice looking combination but Keenan Jr bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Markkanen tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Keenan Jr counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Markkanen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Keenan Jr counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Markkanen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Keenan Jr.
Markkanen with a jab.
Markkanen ducks under a wild hook from Keenan Jr.
A slapping leg kick lands for Keenan Jr.
Markkanen misses with a wild body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Markkanen looks to land a left hand but Keenan Jr moved out of range nicely.
Markkanen misses with a lunging right hand
and Keenan Jr connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gareth Keenan Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Markkanen is predictable there
and Keenan Jr counters with a nice kick to the body.
Keenan Jr misses with a straight left.
Good leg kick by Markkanen.
Markkanen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Keenan Jr to the mat! Keenan Jr manages to get full guard.
Keenan Jr 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.
Keenan Jr throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Markkanen escapes and throws Keenan Jr's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Keenan Jr tries to control but Markkanen manages to take his back.
Keenan Jr tries to break free.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Keenan Jr manages to reverse the position and now he's in Markkanen's guard. Nice work there by Keenan Jr.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr got a little sloppy there for a moment and Markkanen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Keenan Jr has managed to get both his arms back between Markkanen's legs - danger averted.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Keenan Jr throws a big elbow that misses.
Keenan Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Markkanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markkanen wants to improve his position but instead Keenan Jr has moved into half guard.
Markkanen actively working from the bottom here.
Markkanen manages to get to full guard.
Keenan Jr 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.
Keenan Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Markkanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Keenan Jr can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Keenan Jr wants to stand but Markkanen is controlling his posture from full guard.
Markkanen seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Keenan Jr pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Markkanen is keeping the position for now.
Keenan Jr throws a big elbow that misses.
Markkanen has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Keenan Jr has passed into side control.
Keenan Jr stands up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen misses with a leg kick
and Keenan Jr cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Markkanen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Keenan Jr can pounce on him.
Keenan Jr throws a right hand that Markkanen ducks under and follows up with a left that Markkanen also avoids with ease.
Keenan Jr misses with a double jab.
Markkanen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Markkanen moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromKeenan Jr.
Keenan Jr throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A lazy left from Markkanen finds it's target.
Keenan Jr takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Good leg kick by Keenan Jr.
A big right from Markkanen misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Markkanen.
Markkanen misses with a straight right.
Markkanen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Keenan Jr.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Gareth Keenan Jr will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Keenan Jr throws a hook to the side of Markkanen's head but Markkanen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Markkanen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Keenan Jr counters with a nice uppercut.
A punch combination from Keenan Jr misses.
Markkanen feints and as Keenan Jr raises his hands in defense, Markkanen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Markkanen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Keenan Jr wants to sweep here but Markkanen controlling him for the moment.
Markkanen looking to sit in guard and control but Keenan Jr gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keenan Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Markkanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Keenan Jr passes Markkanen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Keenan Jr trying to control from half guard but Markkanen is working away.
Markkanen is pressing down on Keenan Jr's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Odin Markkanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Keenan Jr's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Markkanen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Keenan Jr is one step ahead there.
Markkanen throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Keenan Jr escapes and throws Markkanen's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Keenan Jr is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Markkanen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Keenan Jr controlling from side mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr swings around for an armbar but Markkanen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Keenan Jr's guard.
Markkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Keenan Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Keenan Jr looking to hit a scissor sweep but Markkanen is one step ahead there.
Keenan Jr looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Keenan Jr looking for subs off his back but Markkanen has passed one foot through into half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr trying to control here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Keenan Jr manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Keenan Jr working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Markkanen has passed into half guard!
Keenan Jr is trying to get back to full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Keenan Jr is trying to control but Markkanen manages to pass to mount!
Keenan Jr is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Markkanen lands a big shot there that rocks Keenan Jr but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Keenan Jr tries to hold on but Markkanen pushes him away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Odin Markkanen dominated that second round.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Keenan Jr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Markkanen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Markkanen jabs Keenan Jr right on the nose. Keenan Jr blinks but takes it well.
Keenan Jr has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Keenan Jr swats away the attempt to clinch by Markkanen.
Keenan Jr is trying to counter with his kicks.
Keenan Jr takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Keenan Jr dodges the punch combination from Markkanen.
Keenan Jr has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Markkanen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keenan Jr throws a nice looking combination but Markkanen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Markkanen feinted with a counter takedown.
Keenan Jr checks a low kick from Markkanen.
Keenan Jr looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Markkanen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Markkanen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen tests Keenan Jr's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Keenan Jr delivers a nice body kick.
Markkanen throws a jab when Keenan Jr was well out of range.
Markkanen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Keenan Jr misses the shot to the body.
Markkanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Keenan Jr moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Keenan Jr avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Odin Markkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Markkanen closes the distance looking to clinch
and Keenan Jr connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Keenan Jr moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Markkanen thows a left - swing and a miss!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen throws an off balance right hand
and Markkanen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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!
Keenan Jr lands a slapping body shot.
Nice defenses there by Keenan Jr.
Keenan Jr follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Markkanen has his takedown stuffed
and Keenan Jr finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Keenan Jr throws a series of punches but Markkanen avoids them all with ease.
Markkanen clinches with his opponent.
Keenan Jr is trying to break the clinch but Markkanen has him pressed against the cage.
Markkanen prevents Keenan Jr from breaking the clinch.
Markkanen working aggressively here.
Markkanen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Markkanen lands with a short shot to the head.
Markkanen breaks from the clinch.
Keenan Jr looks to land a combination but Markkanen avoids it well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr misses with a head kick.
Markkanen slips a straight right by Keenan Jr.
Markkanen with a nice cross.
Markkanen closes the distance but Keenan Jr moves to the side
and Keenan Jr counters with a straight right hand.
Markkanen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Keenan Jr's hands.
Markkanen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Keenan Jr's head.
Keenan Jr's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Keenan Jr duly obliges.
Markkanen ducks under a wild hook from Keenan Jr.
Markkanen misses with a lunging right hand
and Keenan Jr counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Markkanen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Keenan Jr throws a lazy uppercut
and Keenan Jr takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Keenan Jr gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Markkanen lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan Jr scores with a three punch combo!
Markkanen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Keenan Jr has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Keenan Jr walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Keenan Jr lands with a cross.
We've been informed that Keenan Jr has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Markkanen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jab, jab by Keenan Jr - just one landing.
Nice jab there from Markkanen.
Markkanen lands a lovely overhand right.
Markkanen misses with an uppercut.
Markkanen lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Markkanen clinches up against the cage.
Keenan Jr has had enough of the clinch but Markkanen keeps him there for the moment.
Markkanen misses with a punch on the inside.
Keenan Jr blocks an uppercut.
And that's the end of the fight!
Odin Markkanen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Markkanen 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Odin Markkanen!
A very excited looking Odin Markkanen 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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| 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
54% |
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