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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jesse-James Hopson (ranked 164 p4p, 397 weight class) and Kurko Kallio (ranked 21 p4p, 49 weight class). Hopson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Home among the gumtrees.. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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182 cm 27 159 18 - 5 - 0 |
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180 cm 25 165 7 - 2 - 0 |
Great wrestler World class boxer Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler Excellent MT Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world! Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jesse-James Hopson! And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kurko Kallio! The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Anthony Taglia and John Roberts.
 The bell rings for round one and we are underway! A jab lands there for Hopson. A telegraphed right hand from Kallio misses the target. Kallio tried to score with a low kick but Hopson checks it. Hopson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight. A slow jab from Kallio misses its intended target. Kallio takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hopson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away. Hopson loads up on a big right hand but Kallio slips the punch. Kallio looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it. Kallio lands with a kick to the temple. Hopson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?" Kallio steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hopson. A looping hook to the body misses from Hopson. Kallio does a little dance to reset his feet. The fighters circling - Hopson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hopson pushes Kallio up against the cage in a clinch. Kallio lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hopson backwards. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Kallio lands a left hand.
Kallio tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. Kallio misses with some punches.
 That's one minute gone in the round. Kallio misses with the head strike.
Kallio working aggressively here.
Kallio blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kallio misses with the head strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Kallio.
Hopson misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hopson. A hook to the body from Kallio.
Hopson tries to work over Kallio's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. Kallio working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely. Hopson lands a right hand. A short right from Hopson. Kallio tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. A hook to the body from Kallio.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hopson. A head punch on the inside from Hopson fails to land. Hopson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short left from Kallio. Hopson tries a body shot but Kallio blocks it.
Kallio tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. Hopson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Hopson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
 That's two minutes gone in the round. Kallio doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hopson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kallio fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hopson working some nice short punches in the clinch. Kallio tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. Hopson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hopson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hopson misses with a short punch on the inside. Kallio lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hopson backwards. Kallio lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage. Hopson lands with a short shot to the head. Hopson blocking some punches.
Hopson misses with a punch to the body.
Kallio misses with a hook from the clinch. Hopson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hopson blocks an uppercut.
Hopson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kallios head. Hopson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice body punch from Hopson - that landed with a thud.
Kallio blocks a body shot from Hopson. An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kallio.
 That's three minutes gone in the round. Kallio working aggressively here.
Hopson blocks an uppercut.
Kallio fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hopson misses with a punch to the body.
Hopson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. Hopson swings wildly with an uppercut but Kallio uses good head movement to avoid it. Kallio misses with a punch to the body.
Hopson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kallio's elbow. A right hand to the body from Hopson.
Hopson lands a shot to the body. Kallio tries to throw a body punch but Hopson avoids it by throwing Kallio back against the cage. Hopson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kallio misses with the head strike.
Kallio misses with a punch on the inside.
Hopson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hopson pushes Kallio back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head. A frustrated look appears on Kallio's face as he tries to break the clinch. A head punch on the inside from Kallio fails to land. Kallio prevents a body shot from Hopson. Hopson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
 That's four minutes gone in the round. Hopson misses with some punches.
Hopson managing to block the knees to the body from Kallio.
Kallio lands a shoulder strike. A head punch blocked on the inside by Kallio. Hopson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kallio breaks from the clinch.
Kallio walks into a straight right hand from Hopson. This has been an exciting period of action! Hopson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head. Hopson swats away the attempt to clinch by Kallio. Kallio fails to land with a series of punches.
A jab from Hopson does it's job there. Kallio tries to close the distance and clinch but Hopson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away. Hopson looks to land a right hand but Kallio moved out of range. A jab from Hopson does it's job there. And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Jesse-James Hopson will probably get the nod. The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Hopson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection. Hopson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all. Kallio misses with a head kick.
Hopson throws an off balance right hand
and Kallio counters with an inside leg kick. Kallio keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kallio forces Hopson back against the cage and clinches. Hopson working some nice short punches in the clinch. A head punch blocked on the inside by Kallio. With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kallio creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kallio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat. Hopson with a body punch. A glancing blow. Hopson scores with a jab to the body. A telegraphed right hand from Hopson misses the target.
 That's one minute gone in the round. Kallio feints and then cracks Hopson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hopson down.
Kallio closes the distance and clinches. Kallio tries to throw a body punch but Hopson avoids it by throwing Kallio back against the cage. Kallio misses with the head strike.
Kallio blocking some punches.
Kallio lands a hook that snaps the head of Hopson backwards. Kallio throws a punch but it's blocked by Hopson. Kallio blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopson. Kallio throws a head punch that misses. Kallio lands a hook that snaps the head of Hopson backwards. Hopson takes a shot to the head. Hopson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. Kallio has a couple of punches blocked by Hopson.
Hopson misses with a hook from the clinch. Good body shot from Kallio.
Hopson scores with an uppercut up the middle. Kallio throws a head punch that misses. The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Kallio swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kallio lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hopson backwards.
 That's two minutes gone in the round. A head punch blocked on the inside by Hopson. A short right hand to the side of the head by Kallio. Kallio misses with a short punch on the inside. Kallio misses with a hook from the clinch. Kallio has a couple of punches blocked by Hopson.
Kallio lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hopson backwards. Hopson misses with some punches.
Kallio swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopson uses good head movement to avoid it. Kurko Kallio seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far. Kallio tries to throw a body punch but Hopson avoids it by throwing Kallio back against the cage. Hopson misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kallio. Kallio lands a nice uppercut. Hopson lands a body punch. Kallio working some nice short punches in the clinch. Hopson misses with a punch on the inside.
Kallio misses with a short punch on the inside. Hopson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kallio misses with a hook from the clinch.
 That's three minutes gone in the round. Hopson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. A short right from Kallio. Kallio misses with the head strike.
Hopson has a couple of punches blocked by Kallio.
Kallio misses with a punch to the body.
Hopson lands with a left to the head. An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kallio. Kallio lands a shoulder strike. Kallio can't find room to land a body shot as Hopson controls the action.
Kallio makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut. Still in the clinch, Kallio scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kallio breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat. Hopson lands with a right hand. Hopson throws a lazy uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick. Kallio throws a lazy head kick and Hopson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button. This has been an exciting period of action! Hopson works Kallio's body with a nice hook. Kallio takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
 That's four minutes gone in the round. Hopson with a hook. Kallio misses with a lunging right hand
and Hopson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt. The fighters circling - Hopson throws out the jab but it was never going to land. Kallio appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick. Kallio tries to score with a low kick but Hopson moves his leg out of the way. The fighters circling - Hopson throws out the jab but it was never going to land. Kallio takes one to the side of the head.
Hopson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kallio stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly. Kallio throws a lazy head kick and Hopson counters with a left to the body. Kallio tries to clinch but fails miserably and Hopson counters with a nice uppercut. Hopson throws a series of punches but Kallio moves out of range. The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end. A cross from Kallio lands. Hopson loads up on a big right hand but Kallio slips the punch. And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Kurko Kallio will probably get the nod - 10:9. OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
A jab lands there for Kallio.
The fight moves into the clinch position. Kallio swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kallio blocks a body shot from Hopson. Kallio throws a head punch that misses.
Kallio breaks the clinch.
Hopson throws a body shot but no joy. Hopson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion. Hopson lands with a shot to the body. Kallio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Kallio jabbing away but nothing is landing. Hopson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance. Hopson takes one to the chin there. Hopson throws a shot to the body.
 That's one minute gone in the round. Kallio throws a quick inside leg kick. Hopson scores with a nice strike. Kallio drops his hands momentarily and Hopson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head. Jesse-James Hopson is winning the standup battle so far. Hopson throws a body shot but no joy. Hopson slips under a jab from Kallio. Kurko Kallio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs. Kallio walks into a left hand. Hopson lands with a shot to the body. Hopson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business. Hopson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook. Jesse-James Hopson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. Hopson misses the jab. Kallio chopping away at his opponent's legs.
 That's two minutes gone in the round. A looping hook to the body misses from Hopson. Kallio does a little dance to reset his feet. Kallio wants to clinch up but Hopson keeps it at a distance. Hopson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd. Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Hopson throws a right hand that misses
and Kallio counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head. Hopson connects with a single shot there. Some bone on bone action there as Hopson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one. Kallio moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross. A slow jab from Kallio misses its intended target. Hopson is looking to counter with a shot to the body. Hopson just misses with a punch to the body.
Kallio misses with a looping left. Hopson connects with a single shot there.
Hopson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
 That's three minutes gone in the round. Hopson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head. Still in the clinch, Kallio scores with a nice short uppercut. A nice right hand lands inside from Hopson. Hopson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hopson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage. Hopson throws a punch but it's blocked by Kallio. Hopson tries a body shot but Kallio blocks it.
Kallio misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hopson can't find room to land a body shot as Kallio controls the action.
Kallio tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. A head punch blocked on the inside by Kallio. Kallio misses with a punch on the inside.
Hopson working aggressively here.
Kallio tries to throw a body punch but Hopson avoids it by throwing Kallio back against the cage. Hopson blocks an uppercut.
Hopson presses Kallio against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot. Kallio blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kallio misses with some punches.
Hopson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
 That's four minutes gone in the round. Kallio tries to circle away but Hopson has him pinned against the cage. Kallio struggles to land a body shot inside as Hopson controls his hands.
Hopson misses with a body punch.
Kallio has a couple of punches blocked by Hopson.
Hopson misses with a hook from the clinch. Hopson takes a shot to the head. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Kallio blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hopson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hopson lands a hook that snaps the head of Kallio backwards. Hopson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kallios head. Hopson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hopson lands a shoulder strike. Nice body punch from Hopson. Kallio blocking some punches.
Kallio misses with a body punch.
Kallio misses with a punch to the body.
Kallio wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee. A short uppercut from Kallio. Hopson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kallio working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely. And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Jesse-James Hopson clearly takes that round. OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Hopson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut. Hopson misses with a body shot.
Hopson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hopson scores with a nice right hand.
Sloppy strikes from Kallio. Those never looked like landing. Kallio fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hopson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect. Kallio has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye. Hopson scores with a hook. A jab from Hopson finds it's way through Kallio's defenses. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Hopson jabbing away but nothing is landing. Hopson cracks Kallio with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage. Kallio doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hopson instigates a clinch.
 That's one minute gone in the round. Kallio looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now. Hopson pushes Kallio back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head. An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopson. Kallio misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good body shot from Kallio.
Hopson misses with a punch to the body.
Kallio tries a body shot but Hopson blocks it.
Hopson is working Kallio over against the cage. Hopson tries to work over Kallio's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. A short right from Kallio on the inside. A short uppercut from Hopson. Nice body punch from Hopson - that landed with a thud.
Kallio misses with the head strike.
Nice body punch from Hopson - that landed with a thud.
Kallio is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted. Kallio's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button! A quick uppercut on the inside from Hopson. Kallio tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. Kallio tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. Kallio tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
 That's two minutes gone in the round. Hopson lands a body shot. Hopson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here. Hopson misses with a hook from the clinch. Kallio prevents a body shot from Hopson. A short body shot lands from Hopson as the two fighters clinch.
Hopson lands a shoulder strike. Hopson lands with a short shot to the head. Hopson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hopson working some nice short punches in the clinch. Kallio is looking to break free of the clinch but Hopson has double underhooks. Hopson lands a body shot. Kallio takes a shot to the head. An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hopson. Hopson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kallio fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kallio throws a head punch that misses. Kallio throws a punch but it's blocked by Hopson. Hopson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hopson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
 That's three minutes gone in the round. Kallio lands with a left to the head. Kallio working aggressively here.
Kallio takes a shot to the head. Hopson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kallio backwards. Hopson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kallio backwards.
Kallio is fighting off a takedown attempt but Hopson is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Kallio to the mat. Kallio regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat. Hopson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up. Hopson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground. Hopson continues to stall.
 That's four minutes gone in the round. Kallio controls Hopson momentarily but Hopson frees himself. Hopson is stalling in the full guard. Hopson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time. Kallio wants to sweep but no luck.
 The referee decides to stand the fighters back up. Kallio closes the distance but Hopson moves to the side and Hopson counters with a lovely shot to the body. And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Jesse-James Hopson had his way with Kurko Kallio in that round. Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!
Hopson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut. Kurko Kallio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here! Jesse-James Hopson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hopson clinches with his opponent.
Kallio blocks an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Kallio as the two fighters clinch.
Hopson misses with a hook from the clinch. Hopson tries a body shot but Kallio blocks it.
Hopson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kallio can do to turn this around? Kallio lands a hook that snaps the head of Hopson backwards. Hopson lands on the inside with an uppercut. Kallio digs a right hand underneath Hopson's ribcage. Hopson let out a lung full of air as it connected. Hopson tries to work over Kallio's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. Kallio lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hopson. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kallio's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does. Hopson shoots in for a takedown but Kallio shows good takedown defense.
Kallio moves into the clinch. A head punch blocked on the inside by Kallio. 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. Hopson misses with the head strike.
 That's one minute gone in the round. Hopson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. Hopson lands with a short shot to the head. Kallio lands a nice shot to the body. Kallio working some nice short punches in the clinch. Hopson misses with the head strike.
Kallio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat. Hopson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button. Hopson lands a nice hook to Kallio's body. Kallio takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes. Hopson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kallio moves out of range as Hopson strikes. Kallio throws out a counter right but Hopson avoids it with no problem. Hopson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kallio moves away. Kallio throws a head kick that misses. Hopson swings widly with a right hand
and Kallio counters with a series of strikes. Hopson will be more careful next time no doubt. Hopson staying out of range there.
 That's two minutes gone in the round. Hopson cracks Kallio with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business. 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! Kallio doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body. Hopson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kallio tries a quick counter leg kick but Hopson is wise to it. Kallio tries to clinch up. Kallio throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Hopson throws a right hand that misses
and Kallio counters with a lovely straight right hand! Hopson avoids the head kick by Kallio.
Kallio tries to clinch up but Hopson circles away and keeps his distance.
Hopson forces Kallio back against the cage and clinches. Kallio tries to break free but Hopson pushes him back against the cage. Hopson lands a body shot in the clinch.
 That's three minutes gone in the round. A nice left hand lands by Kallio.
Hopson misses with a short punch on the inside. Kallio has a couple of punches blocked by Hopson.
Kallio lands a body shot. Kallio misses with a short punch on the inside. Hopson will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kallio up against the cage. Hopson tries to work over Kallio's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target. Hopson scores with a hook to the body. Hopson misses with a body punch.
Kallio tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. Hopson lands with a short head shot on the inside. Kallio misses with some punches.
Kallio swings wildly with an uppercut but Hopson uses good head movement to avoid it. Kallio working aggressively here.
A nice left hand lands by Kallio.
 That's four minutes gone in the round. Kallio tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked. A right hand to the body from Hopson.
Hopson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kallio's elbow. Hopson tries a body shot but Kallio blocks it.
A short body shot lands from Hopson as the two fighters clinch.
Kallio struggles to land a body shot inside as Hopson controls his hands.
Hopson scores with a nice hook to the head. A short right hand to the side of the head by Hopson. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. A short right hand to the side of the head by Hopson. Kallio goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kallio misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hopson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat. Kallio takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hopson moves into the clinch successfully.
Kallio takes a shot to the head. Hopson misses with a punch to the body.
Hopson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kallio goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
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 Jesse-James Hopson. Well Hopson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision. Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 49:46 Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 49:46 Judge John Roberts scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesse-James Hopson! Jesse-James Hopson retains his lightweight title! A very excited looking Jesse-James Hopson 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
73% |
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