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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kaiden Thibodeaux (ranked 1222 p4p, 1497 weight class) and Ari Katajamaki (ranked 95 p4p, 112 weight class). Thibodeaux comes to the cage accompanied by Scotty x D4L. Ari Katajamaki has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 150 cm
34
140
17 - 10 - 0 |
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162 cm
26
135
8 - 13 - 2 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed |
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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 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kaiden Thibodeaux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Ari Katajamaki!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Katajamaki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've been told by Thibodeaux's head coaches at California Top Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Katajamaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thibodeaux sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Katajamaki somewhat.
Thibodeaux stuffs the takedown attempt from Katajamaki. Katajamaki gets slowly back to his feet.
Thibodeaux appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Katajamaki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
It looked like Thibodeaux was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Katajamaki.
Kaiden Thibodeaux has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ari Katajamaki.
Katajamaki with a lazy takedown attempt
and Thibodeaux counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Katajamaki manages to avoid it.
Katajamaki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Thibodeaux counters with a nice body shot.
Katajamaki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thibodeaux pinned against the cage. Thibodeaux gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown but Thibodeaux shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Thibodeaux is looking to counter punch.
Katajamaki shoots in looking for a takedown. Thibodeaux tries to sprawl out of it but Katajamaki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thibodeaux manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ari Katajamaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Katajamaki closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thibodeaux circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Katajamaki is defended easily by Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux misses with a looping right.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kaiden Thibodeaux is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thibodeaux swings for the body but Katajamaki moves out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki with a lazy takedown attempt
and Thibodeaux counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Katajamaki shoots in but no luck this time.
Thibodeaux bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Katajamaki's head backwards.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Katajamaki looks for a takedown but Thibodeaux sprawls well.
Katajamaki defending well as Thibodeaux loads up on a big left hand.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Thibodeaux but Thibodeaux pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Thibodeaux was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Katajamaki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thibodeaux.
Katajamaki scores with a body shot.
Katajamaki tries for a takedown but Thibodeaux sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Katajamaki defending well as Thibodeaux loads up on a big left hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Thibodeaux to the ground. Katajamaki is now in Thibodeaux's guard.
Katajamaki throwing strikes from guard but Thibodeaux blocks nicely.
Katajamaki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Katajamaki throwing strikes from guard but Thibodeaux blocks nicely.
Katajamaki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Katajamaki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Katajamaki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Katajamaki throws a big elbow that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Katajamaki's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Katajamaki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thibodeaux works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki shoots in looking for a takedown but Thibodeaux manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Katajamaki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thibodeaux is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thibodeaux as he jumps to the side.
Thibodeaux keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It looked like Thibodeaux was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Katajamaki.
Katajamaki fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Thibodeaux keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thibodeaux swings for the body but Katajamaki moves out of range.
Katajamaki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thibodeaux is fending him off so far but Katajamaki persists. Nope, Thibodeaux circles away and we're back to standing.
Katajamaki fails with the takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Kaiden Thibodeaux dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thibodeaux as he jumps to the side.
Thibodeaux swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Thibodeaux misses the shot to the body.
Katajamaki closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thibodeaux lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Katajamaki looking for a takedown.
Thibodeaux's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thibodeaux as he jumps to the side.
Kaiden Thibodeaux has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ari Katajamaki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katajamaki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Katajamaki misses with a takedown attempt - Thibodeaux sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thibodeaux swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Katajamaki with a poor takedown
and Thibodeaux counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thibodeaux as he jumps to the side.
A counter left hand to the body from Thibodeaux misses its target.
Thibodeaux slaps away a takedown attempt from Katajamaki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Thibodeaux gets tackled into the cage by Katajamaki. Katajamaki maintains the clinch.
Katajamaki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Thibodeaux breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thibodeaux is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Katajamaki can do to turn this around?
Katajamaki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Thibodeaux avoids it really well and circles away.
Katajamaki takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki shoots for a double leg takedown but Thibodeaux sprawls well. He's pushed Katajamaki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Thibodeaux misses its target.
Katajamaki shoots and misses
enabling Thibodeaux to counter with a crisp jab.
A big left from Thibodeaux misses.
Thibodeaux scores with a jab.
Thibodeaux throws a lazy right hand but Katajamaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Katajamaki fails with a takedown attempt.
A slow jab from Thibodeaux misses its intended target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Katajamaki shoots for a takedown but Thibodeaux saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Katajamaki closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Thibodeaux to the mat! Thibodeaux manages to get full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux wants to sweep here but Katajamaki controlling him for the moment.
Katajamaki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Katajamaki throws an elbow that misses. Thibodeaux uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Katajamaki's guard. Nice move by Thibodeaux!
Thibodeaux might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Katajamaki can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Thibodeaux controls the pace.
Thibodeaux trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thibodeaux looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Katajamaki is pulling down on Thibodeaux's head. It's preventing any offense from Thibodeaux, at least for the moment.
Katajamaki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Kaiden Thibodeaux dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Thibodeaux scores with a jab to the jaw.
Katajamaki closes the distance and clinches up with Thibodeaux, looking for a takedown. Katajamaki pushes Thibodeaux against the cage but Thibodeaux circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Katajamaki doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Thibodeaux counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Katajamaki with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Thibodeaux to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice sprawl there from Thibodeaux as Katajamaki shoots in.
Kaiden Thibodeaux has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ari Katajamaki.
Katajamaki shoots for a double leg takedown but Thibodeaux sprawls well. He's pushed Katajamaki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Thibodeaux stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thibodeaux wants it to stay on the feet.
Katajamaki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thibodeaux sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux stuffs the takedown.
Thibodeaux takes a swing at Katajamaki's ribcage but misses.
Katajamaki tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Katajamaki tries for a takedown but Thibodeaux circles away easily
and Thibodeaux cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Katajamaki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Katajamaki gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Thibodeaux counters with a nice uppercut.
Thibodeaux comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Katajamaki has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Thibodeaux finds it's way round the side to connect with Katajamaki's head.
Katajamaki tries for a takedown but Thibodeaux sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Thibodeaux stuffs the takedown attempt from Katajamaki. Katajamaki gets slowly back to his feet.
Thibodeaux swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Katajamaki fails to land the takedown.
Katajamaki with a lazy takedown attempt
and Thibodeaux counters with a stiff right hand.
Katajamaki with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Thibodeaux to score with a decent uppercut.
Katajamaki avoids the body shot from Thibodeaux.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thibodeaux sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Thibodeaux wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Katajamaki slips a straight right by Thibodeaux.
Katajamaki tries for a takedown but Thibodeaux sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Thibodeaux was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Katajamaki misses with a takedown attempt - Thibodeaux sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Katajamaki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thibodeaux tries to avoid it but Katajamaki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thibodeaux to the ground. Thibodeaux escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Katajamaki shoots in looking for a takedown. Thibodeaux tries to sprawl out of it but Katajamaki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Thibodeaux manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Thibodeaux scores with a sloppy right hand. Katajamaki should have avoided that one.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Katajamaki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice sprawl there from Thibodeaux as Katajamaki shoots in.
Katajamaki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kaiden Thibodeaux is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thibodeaux throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Katajamaki on the side of the head.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Thibodeaux as he avoids it easily.
Thibodeaux missing with a left hand there. Katajamaki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Katajamaki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thibodeaux jabs at Katajamaki's body.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thibodeaux as he jumps to the side.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Thibodeaux.
Katajamaki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thibodeaux sprawls well. Thibodeaux wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Katajamaki gets slowly back to his feet.
Ari Katajamaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Katajamaki fails with a takedown attempt.
Katajamaki has his takedown stuffed
and Thibodeaux counters with a right hand to the body.
Katajamaki doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Thibodeaux counters with a nice body shot.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kaiden Thibodeaux showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Thibodeaux, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:26
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:26
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaiden Thibodeaux!
Kaiden Thibodeaux decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
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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
37% |
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