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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sami Kuristaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abu Al Zarqawi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!
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| 189 cm
20
195 lbs
5 - 0 - 0 |
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180 cm
24
195 lbs
3 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sami Kuristaja!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abu Al Zarqawi!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuristaja darts in and clinches Al Zarqawi up against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Al Zarqawi throws an elbow but misses.
Kuristaja landing knees to the body.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but Kuristaja won't allow it.
Al Zarqawi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kuristaja avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
It looks like Abu Al Zarqawi has been cut.
Al Zarqawi jumps guard but Kuristaja stands there with Al Zarqawi around his waist. Al Zarqawi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sami Kuristaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abu Al Zarqawi.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kuristaja is stalling here.
Al Zarqawi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kuristaja walks away with a smile on his face. Al Zarqawi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kuristaja is looking to clinch but Al Zarqawi is avoiding it.
Kuristaja throws a leg kick which misses Al Zarqawi's front leg but catches the back leg as Al Zarqawi tries to avoid it.
Kuristaja scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Al Zarqawi looks gassed!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuristaja buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kuristaja clinches up with Al Zarqawi and pushes him back against the cage.
Kuristaja connects with a nasty looking knee right to Al Zarqawi's face.
Kuristaja stalling in the clinch.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuristaja obliges.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja has Al Zarqawi pushed against the cage.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja connects with a nasty looking knee right to Al Zarqawi's face.
That has opened up Abu Al Zarqawi's cut even more.
Kuristaja slowing the pace effectively.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja scores with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja crunches a lovely knee into Al Zarqawi's ribcage.
Kuristaja stalls.
Kuristaja landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Al Zarqawi tries for a takedown but Kuristaja manages to get underhooks.
Kuristaja stalling in the clinch.
Kuristaja working Al Zarqawi over with knees to the body.
Kuristaja connects with a nasty looking knee right to Al Zarqawi's face.
Kuristaja working Al Zarqawi over with knees to the body.
Kuristaja lands a left hand that snaps the head of Al Zarqawi backwards.
Kuristaja gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja lands a good knee to the midsection. Al Zarqawi won't want to take too many of those.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja pressing his opponent against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Kuristaja.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kuristaja.
Kuristaja landing knees to the body.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but Kuristaja holds him up against the cage and eventually Al Zarqawi drops back down to his feet.
Kuristaja working Al Zarqawi over with knees to the body.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the body.
Kuristaja unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Al Zarqawi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuristaja crunches a lovely knee into Al Zarqawi's ribcage.
A knee to the head by Kuristaja.
Al Zarqawi being controlled against the cage.
Kuristaja tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuristaja using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Al Zarqawi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kuristaja taking a breather.
Kuristaja using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Al Zarqawi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Zarqawi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but Kuristaja won't allow it.
Al Zarqawi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kuristaja is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuristaja obliges.
Kuristaja avoiding damage.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kuristaja stalling in the clinch but Al Zarqawi improves position.
Al Zarqawi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kuristaja fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kuristaja tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Al Zarqawi moves out of range as Kuristaja throws a body kick.
Al Zarqawi is looking to clinch but Kuristaja is avoiding it.
Al Zarqawi 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.
Sami Kuristaja is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuristaja throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Kuristaja misses.
Kuristaja dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Al Zarqawi. That did some damage!
Kuristaja tries to clinch but Al Zarqawi moves out of range.
Kuristaja rushes Al Zarqawi and presses him up against the cage.
Kuristaja scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Kuristaja.
Kuristaja just leaning against Al Zarqawi, taking a breather.
Al Zarqawi tries to circle away but Kuristaja has him pinned against the cage.
Al Zarqawi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuristaja working Al Zarqawi over with knees to the body.
Kuristaja connects with a nasty looking knee right to Al Zarqawi's face.
Kuristaja landing knees to the head.
Kuristaja stalling against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuristaja connects with a nasty looking knee right to Al Zarqawi's face.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Knees to the body from Kuristaja.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sami Kuristaja dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Abu Al Zarqawi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Kuristaja lands with a thumping leg kick.
Al Zarqawi avoids the head kick by Kuristaja.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kuristaja throws a knee to the head but misses.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull guard.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kuristaja controlling the action here for a moment.
Kuristaja using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Al Zarqawi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kuristaja just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kuristaja avoiding damage.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Al Zarqawi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuristaja smiles and moves away.
Sami Kuristaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abu Al Zarqawi.
Kuristaja throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuristaja misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kuristaja lands with a kick to the temple. Al Zarqawi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kuristaja tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al Zarqawi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kuristaja throws a head kick that misses.
Kuristaja tries to clinch but Al Zarqawi moves out of range.
Kuristaja pushes Al Zarqawi away with a front kick.
Kuristaja is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Al Zarqawi can do to turn this around?
Kuristaja pivots, looking for a leg kick but Al Zarqawi is out of range and Kuristaja settles back down.
Kuristaja avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kuristaja closes the distance and clinches.
Kuristaja has Al Zarqawi pressed against the cage.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Al Zarqawi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kuristaja walks away with a smile on his face. Al Zarqawi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kuristaja throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kuristaja tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Zarqawi avoids the head kick by Kuristaja.
Kuristaja tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kuristaja instigates a clinch.
Al Zarqawi jumps guard but Kuristaja stands there with Al Zarqawi around his waist. Al Zarqawi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Al Zarqawi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kuristaja prevents it.
Kuristaja stalling the fight.
Kuristaja tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sami Kuristaja has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Al Zarqawi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kuristaja avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kuristaja throws a knee to the head but misses.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but Kuristaja won't allow it.
Al Zarqawi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Al Zarqawi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kuristaja landing knees to the body.
Al Zarqawi takes a knee right on the jaw!
The cut above Abu Al Zarqawi's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja scores with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Kuristaja.
Kuristaja connects with a nasty looking knee right to Al Zarqawi's face.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Al Zarqawi.
Kuristaja connects with a nasty looking knee right to Al Zarqawi's face.
Kuristaja with a knee to the head.
Al Zarqawi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nice elbow from Kuristaja.
Kuristaja utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull guard.
Kuristaja with a knee to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Kuristaja using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Al Zarqawi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kuristaja tries a knee to the head but Al Zarqawi blocks it.
Al Zarqawi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Al Zarqawi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kuristaja misses with a knee to the head.
Al Zarqawi tries to stall but Kuristaja uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Al Zarqawi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kuristaja walks away with a smile on his face. Al Zarqawi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kuristaja feints and then cracks Al Zarqawi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Al Zarqawi down.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja takes the fight into the clinch.
Al Zarqawi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja unloads a knee to the mid-section. Al Zarqawi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kuristaja gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Al Zarqawi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuristaja unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kuristaja scores a nice knee to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kuristaja.
Kuristaja lands a shoulder strike.
Kuristaja tries a knee to the head but Al Zarqawi blocks it.
Kuristaja throws a knee to the head but misses.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull guard.
Kuristaja lands a nice elbow.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuristaja obliges.
Kuristaja utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Al Zarqawi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sami Kuristaja dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Abu Al Zarqawi's cut.
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.
Kuristaja throws a head kick that misses.
Kuristaja 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.
Kuristaja connects with a solid leg kick.
Sami Kuristaja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Al Zarqawi blocks the body kick.
Kuristaja wants to clinch
and Al Zarqawi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kuristaja working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Al Zarqawi.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuristaja keeping full guard, as Al Zarqawi tries to pass.
Al Zarqawi throws a big right hand that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Al Zarqawi has gone for a leg lock! Kuristaja slips out almost immediately though and dives into Al Zarqawi's guard.
Kuristaja wants to stand but Al Zarqawi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuristaja avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Al Zarqawi looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kuristaja passes into half guard.
Kuristaja tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Al Zarqawi flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
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.
Kuristaja decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Al Zarqawi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kuristaja throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kuristaja has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kuristaja just leaning against Al Zarqawi, taking a breather.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Kuristaja.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the body.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Al Zarqawi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kuristaja taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but Kuristaja holds him up against the cage and eventually Al Zarqawi drops back down to his feet.
Kuristaja scores with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kuristaja.
Kuristaja with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but Kuristaja holds him up against the cage and eventually Al Zarqawi drops back down to his feet.
Sami Kuristaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abu Al Zarqawi.
Kuristaja lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A knee to the head by Kuristaja.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja tries to land a knee to the head but Al Zarqawi blocks with his arms.
Kuristaja tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
Al Zarqawi is working for takedown but Kuristaja is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kuristaja lands a nice knee to the body.
Al Zarqawi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuristaja smiles and moves away.
Kuristaja cracks a nice hook into Al Zarqawi's ribs.
Kuristaja pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kuristaja throws a leg kick but Al Zarqawi checks it.
Sami Kuristaja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuristaja tries to clinch there but Al Zarqawi circles away.
Al Zarqawi tries to clinch up but Kuristaja circles away and keeps his distance.
Kuristaja throws a head kick that half lands.
Kuristaja doesn't manage to clinch there - Al Zarqawi circles away.
Kuristaja lands a head kick. Al Zarqawi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Al Zarqawi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kuristaja dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Al Zarqawi. That did some damage!
Kuristaja throws a sloppy head kick and Al Zarqawi moves out of range easily.
Kuristaja tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sami Kuristaja is winning the standup battle so far.
Al Zarqawi is looking to clinch.
Al Zarqawi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kuristaja tries to clinch up.
Kuristaja lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kuristaja misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kuristaja fails with an attempt to clinch.
Al Zarqawi checks the leg kick.
Kuristaja moves in looking to clinch but Al Zarqawi pushes him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sami Kuristaja clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Abu Al Zarqawi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Al Zarqawi just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuristaja forces Al Zarqawi back against the cage and clinches.
Al Zarqawi has Kuristaja pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kuristaja manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kuristaja scores with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja just leaning against Al Zarqawi, taking a breather.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja landing knees to the head.
Kuristaja just leaning against Al Zarqawi, taking a breather.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kuristaja just stands there and leans against the cage.
Al Zarqawi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kuristaja fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sami Kuristaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abu Al Zarqawi.
Kuristaja throws a wild body kick that Al Zarqawi sees coming a mile off.
Kuristaja scores with a push kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kuristaja scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kuristaja rushes Al Zarqawi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuristaja with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Al Zarqawi up against the cage.
Al Zarqawi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kuristaja landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kuristaja crunches a lovely knee into Al Zarqawi's ribcage.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Kuristaja.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but Kuristaja won't allow it.
Al Zarqawi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kuristaja crunches a lovely knee into Al Zarqawi's ribcage.
Kuristaja stalling.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but Kuristaja holds him up against the cage and eventually Al Zarqawi drops back down to his feet.
Knees to the body from Kuristaja.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuristaja obliges.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kuristaja tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull guard.
Kuristaja landing knees to the head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja is looking to control Al Zarqawi's arms but Al Zarqawi gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kuristaja has his back to the cage.
Kuristaja gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Al Zarqawi.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuristaja obliges.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Kuristaja.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but Kuristaja won't allow it.
Al Zarqawi takes a knee to the side of the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Al Zarqawi as Kuristaja tries to tie him up.
Al Zarqawi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Al Zarqawi wants a takedown.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kuristaja connects with a nasty looking knee right to Al Zarqawi's face.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kuristaja creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kuristaja looking to throw knees to the head but Al Zarqawi is blocking nicely.
Al Zarqawi managing to block the knees to the body from Kuristaja.
Al Zarqawi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kuristaja walks away with a smile on his face. Al Zarqawi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kuristaja.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja throws a head kick but Al Zarqawi moves out of range.
Kuristaja connects with a solid leg kick.
Kuristaja moves into the clinch successfully.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head.
Al Zarqawi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kuristaja walks away with a smile on his face. Al Zarqawi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kuristaja fails in his attempt to clinch.
Al Zarqawi blocks a head kick by Kuristaja.
Kuristaja throws a sloppy head kick and Al Zarqawi moves out of range easily.
Al Zarqawi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuristaja circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuristaja gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kuristaja landing knees to the body.
Al Zarqawi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kuristaja gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Al Zarqawi tries to stall but Kuristaja uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja lands a nice knee to the body.
The referee calls for Kuristaja to work.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuristaja obliges.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the body.
Al Zarqawi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kuristaja walks away with a smile on his face. Al Zarqawi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kuristaja lands with a kick to the temple. Al Zarqawi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kuristaja tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kuristaja fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kuristaja circles away from the clinch attempt.
Al Zarqawi tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kuristaja throws a body kick that misses.
Kuristaja moves into the clinch.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Al Zarqawi blocks it with crossed arms.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kuristaja as Al Zarqawi tries to tie him up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sami Kuristaja had his way with Abu Al Zarqawi in that round.
The cut man is working on Abu Al Zarqawi's cut.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Al Zarqawi tries to clinch but Kuristaja is having none of it.
Kuristaja tries to clinch there but Al Zarqawi circles away.
Kuristaja has Al Zarqawi up against the cage in a clinch.
Al Zarqawi takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuristaja obliges.
Knees to the body from Kuristaja.
Kuristaja unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A knee to the head by Kuristaja.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Al Zarqawi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuristaja scores a nice knee to the body.
Al Zarqawi has Kuristaja pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kuristaja manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Al Zarqawi takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Al Zarqawi is trying to break the clinch but Kuristaja is controlling him.
A left hand lands to the body for Kuristaja.
Al Zarqawi jumps guard but Kuristaja stands there with Al Zarqawi around his waist. Al Zarqawi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kuristaja scores with a knee to the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuristaja lands a nice knee to the body.
Al Zarqawi can't get the takedown.
Sami Kuristaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abu Al Zarqawi.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Al Zarqawi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuristaja smiles and moves away.
Kuristaja goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Al Zarqawi is looking to clinch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Al Zarqawi checks a leg kick.
Kuristaja darts in and clinches Al Zarqawi up against the cage.
Kuristaja landing knees to the body.
Kuristaja with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja landing knees to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Al Zarqawi.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull guard.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but Kuristaja holds him up against the cage and eventually Al Zarqawi drops back down to his feet.
Al Zarqawi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Al Zarqawi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kuristaja dodges an elbow strike from Al Zarqawi.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kuristaja.
Al Zarqawi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kuristaja pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kuristaja closes the distance and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Al Zarqawi.
Kuristaja prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kuristaja lands a hook that snaps the head of Al Zarqawi backwards.
Kuristaja is pushing Al Zarqawi up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kuristaja scores with a knee to the head.
Kuristaja using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Kuristaja.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kuristaja scores with a knee to the head.
Al Zarqawi jumps guard but Kuristaja stands there with Al Zarqawi around his waist. Al Zarqawi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kuristaja scores a nice knee to the body.
Al Zarqawi tries to pull guard but Kuristaja won't allow it.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kuristaja.
Al Zarqawi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kuristaja is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kuristaja landing knees to the head.
Sami Kuristaja is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kuristaja throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kuristaja taking a breather.
Al Zarqawi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Al Zarqawi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kuristaja landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Al Zarqawi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kuristaja walks away with a smile on his face. Al Zarqawi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kuristaja dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Al Zarqawi. That did some damage!
Kuristaja misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Al Zarqawi moves out of range as Kuristaja throws a body kick.
Kuristaja throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kuristaja throws a head kick that misses.
Kuristaja scores with a push kick.
Kuristaja tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kuristaja misses with a head kick.
Kuristaja pushes Al Zarqawi up against the cage in a clinch.
Al Zarqawi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kuristaja pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kuristaja on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kuristaja with a knee to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kuristaja with a knee to the head.
Abu Al Zarqawi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kuristaja connects with a nasty looking knee right to Al Zarqawi's face.
Abu Al Zarqawi's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Kuristaja effectively controlling the action here.
And that's the end of the fight!
Sami Kuristaja showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuristaja, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 50:41
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 50:41
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 50:41
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sami Kuristaja!
Sami Kuristaja retains his middleweight title!
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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
87% |
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