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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Urho Itaniemi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ming Xin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Itaniemi comes to the cage accompanied by Volbeat - Still Counting. The crowd seem to be enjoying Xin's choice of entrance music: Die Antwoord - Evil Boy. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 190 cm
24
214 lbs
22 - 5 - 0 |
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180 cm
25
213 lbs
21 - 5 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
22 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Urho Itaniemi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
21 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ming Xin!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Itaniemi lands a leg kick that knocks Xin off balance momentarily.
Xin misses with a body shot
and Itaniemi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Good leg kick by Itaniemi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Xin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Itaniemi manages to avoid it.
Xin blocks a low kick nicely.
Xin has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Itaniemi.
Xin looks gassed!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Xin avoids a kick to the body.
Itaniemi clinches up against the cage.
Itaniemi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Itaniemi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Itaniemi.
Itaniemi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Xin working aggressively here.
Itaniemi lands a right hand.
Itaniemi lands with a right to the head.
Itaniemi avoiding damage.
Xin misses with a punch to the body.
Xin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Itaniemi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Itaniemi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Xin blocks an uppercut.
Itaniemi swings wildly with an uppercut but Xin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Xin tries to pull guard but Itaniemi won't allow it.
Xin misses with some punches.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xin tries to pull guard but Itaniemi holds him up against the cage and eventually Xin drops back down to his feet.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Itaniemi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Itaniemi trying to control the position but instead, Xin has worked for underhooks and has pushed Itaniemi into the cage.
Itaniemi lands a left hand.
Itaniemi stalling in the clinch.
Itaniemi lands with a short shot to the head.
Itaniemi has Xin pressed against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Urho Itaniemi.
Itaniemi connects with a body shot.
Itaniemi takes a swing at Xin's ribcage but misses.
Itaniemi cracks Xin with a good jab.
Urho Itaniemi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itaniemi throws a front kick aimed at Xin's knee but Xin avoids it well.
Itaniemi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Itaniemi connects with a crisp jab.
Xin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Itaniemi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Itaniemi looks to throw the jab but Xin is out of range.
Itaniemi throws an off balance right hand
and Xin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Xin misses with a straight left.
Itaniemi throws a sloppy head kick
and Xin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Xin misses with a lunging right hand
and Itaniemi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Xin shoots in looking for a takedown. Itaniemi tries to sprawl out of it but Xin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Itaniemi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Urho Itaniemi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ming Xin.
Xin throws a body punch but Itaniemi moves out of range.
Itaniemi misses with a leg kick
and Xin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xin ducks under a wild hook from Itaniemi.
Xin drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Urho Itaniemi dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Xin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Xin misses the shot to the body.
Itaniemi missing with a left hand there. Xin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Itaniemi, right into the meat.
A head kick by Itaniemi misses
and Xin counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Itaniemi's guard now.
Xin wants to control from the top but Itaniemi keeps moving.
Xin chips away with some ground and pound.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Xin throws and elbow that misses. Itaniemi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Xin's guard. Nice move by Itaniemi!
Xin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Itaniemi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Xin trying to keep a closed guard but Itaniemi is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xin wants to sweep here but Itaniemi controlling him for the moment.
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.
Xin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Xin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Xin looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Xin takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Xin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Itaniemi is refusing to be controlled, as Xin sits in half guard.
Itaniemi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Xin.
Xin is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Xin wants to take a breather but Itaniemi is having none of it.
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.
Xin slips a nice elbow through Itaniemi's hands, connecting with Itaniemi's forehead.
Xin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Itaniemi defending well though.
Itaniemi trying to control here.
Xin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Itaniemi trying to control from the bottom.
Itaniemi is not content to let Xin control the position.
Xin is looking for a kimura but Itaniemi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Xin to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ming Xin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Xin misses with an uppercut.
Xin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Itaniemi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Itaniemi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Itaniemi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Xin counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Itaniemi's guard now.
Xin wants to control from the top but Itaniemi keeps moving.
Xin working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Xin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Itaniemi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Itaniemi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Xin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Itaniemi keeping moving, preventing Xin from controlling successfully.
Xin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Xin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Itaniemi is trying to keep Xin in close.
Itaniemi keeping moving, preventing Xin from controlling successfully.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Xin scores with a jab. Itaniemi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Xin takes a swing at Itaniemi's ribcage but misses.
That's two 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.
Xin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A cross from Itaniemi lands.
Xin takes one on the button.
Xin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Itaniemi misses with a few strikes there.
Xin misses with a jab to the body
and Itaniemi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Xin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Itaniemi but Itaniemi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Itaniemi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xin takes a kick to the side of the head.
Itaniemi moves into range and clinches up with Xin.
Xin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Itaniemi's elbow.
Itaniemi dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Xin scores with a nice hook to the head.
Itaniemi trying to stall but Xin improves his position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Itaniemi.
A shot in the inside from Xin.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Xin.
Itaniemi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Itaniemi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Xin backwards.
The referee is keeping an eye on Itaniemi - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Xin tries to throw a body punch but Itaniemi avoids it by throwing Xin back against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xin tries to pull guard but Itaniemi won't allow it.
Urho Itaniemi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ming Xin.
Xin lands a shot to the body.
Xin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Itaniemi's elbow.
Xin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Itaniemi.
Itaniemi stalls.
Nice body punch from Itaniemi.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Itaniemi.
Xin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Itaniemi is trying to stall.
Itaniemi slows down the pace here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xin pushes Itaniemi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Itaniemi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Xin tries to work over Itaniemi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Urho Itaniemi did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
The fighters circling - Xin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Urho Itaniemi is winning the standup battle so far.
Itaniemi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Xin.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Itaniemi, right into the meat.
The crowd cheers as Xin lands an impressive looking overhand right. Itaniemi doesn't seem phased though.
Itaniemi misses with a hook to the body
and Xin counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Itaniemi wants to improve his position but Xin is controlling well.
Xin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Itaniemi is looking for a sweep. Xin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Xin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Xin seems to be looking for submissions.
Xin trying to pass the guard but Itaniemi defending well.
Itaniemi is staying active underneath Xin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Xin is looking to advance position but Itaniemi won't allow it.
Xin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Itaniemi!
Poor strikes thrown by Xin there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Itaniemi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Itaniemi manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.
Xin thows a huge punch but Itaniemi dodges it nicely.
Xin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Itaniemi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Xin is working away from the top position though.
Itaniemi is refusing to be controlled, as Xin sits in half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Xin seems content to control.
Itaniemi is looking to control Xin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Itaniemi avoid being mounted?
Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Itaniemi lands a jab.
Xin cracks a nice hook into Itaniemi's ribs.
Itaniemi misses with an uppercut
and Xin counters with a two punch combo.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xin fails with the takedown.
Xin misses with a body punch
and Itaniemi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Xin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Xin scores with a hook to the body. Itaniemi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Itaniemi misses with a leg kick
and Xin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Xin advances to half guard.
Itaniemi is refusing to be controlled, as Xin sits in half guard.
Xin looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ming Xin dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Xin gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Itaniemi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Xin closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Itaniemi did well to prevent Xin getting side control.
Xin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Itaniemi does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Xin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Itaniemi moves into full guard.
Itaniemi trying to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Xin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Xin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Itaniemi is keeping the position for now.
Itaniemi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Xin wants to control from the top but Itaniemi keeps moving.
Xin pushing down on Itaniemi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Itaniemi is trying to control but can't.
Xin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Xin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Itaniemi defending well though.
Xin moves into full mount! Itaniemi won't be happy about that!
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.
Xin looking to ground and pound but Itaniemi is blocking nicely.
Xin swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Itaniemi is now in Xin's guard. A big mistake from Xin there, giving up the dominant position!
Ming Xin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Itaniemi trying to control the position from guard on top but Xin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Xin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Xin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Xin has his foot on Itaniemi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Itaniemi works his way back into a safe position though.
Xin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Itaniemi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Xin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Itaniemi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ming Xin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Xin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 47:47
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 47:48
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ming Xin!
Ming Xin is the new light heavyweight champion!
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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
77% |
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