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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Armo Kuusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Flavio Lazzarini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuusela's entrance music is Promentory. A fine choice. Lazzarini has chosen Goffredo Mameli - 'Il Canto degli Italiani' as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!
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| 192 cm
40
195 lbs
41 - 20 - 2 |
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185 cm
30
201 lbs
12 - 4 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
41 - 20 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Armo Kuusela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Flavio Lazzarini!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Richard Clark and James Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lazzarini misses the body punch
and Kuusela counters with a thumping low kick.
Lazzarini lands a jab.
Lazzarini throws a nice head kick!
Kuusela avoids the head kick by Lazzarini.
Lazzarini gets cracked there but stands up to it.
It looks like Flavio Lazzarini has been cut.
Lazzarini has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kuusela.
Lazzarini throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lazzarini closes the distance but Kuusela moves to the side
and Kuusela counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kuusela goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lazzarini uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuusela.
Lazzarini throws out a counter right but Kuusela avoids it with no problem.
Kuusela ducks under a wild hook from Lazzarini.
Lazzarini throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It looked like Kuusela wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lazzarini looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lazzarini misses with an uppercut.
Lazzarini misses with a double jab.
A big right from Lazzarini misses.
Kuusela throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Armo Kuusela is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuusela. Lazzarini does a little dance to reset his feet.
Flavio Lazzarini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuusela throws a head kick that misses.
Kuusela is looking to chop away at Lazzarini's legs.
Lazzarini throws a quick inside leg kick.
Lazzarini throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kuusela.
Lazzarini works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lazzarini is looking to clinch but Kuusela is avoiding it.
Lazzarini will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela swings for the body but Lazzarini moves out of range.
Lazzarini appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kuusela moves away from the strike by Lazzarini.
Lazzarini throws a good cross that connects.
Lazzarini looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lazzarini throws a leg kick that misses.
Kuusela fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lazzarini on the side of the head.
Lazzarini closes the distance and pushes Kuusela back into the cage.
Lazzarini using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kuusela has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lazzarini is leaning against Kuusela and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Lazzarini using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kuusela has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lazzarini lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kuusela misses with a punch to the body.
Lazzarini throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lazzarini with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lazzarini with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela blocks an uppercut.
Lazzarini lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kuusela wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lazzarini has him pressed against the cage.
Lazzarini with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kuusela misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lazzarini.
Lazzarini is trying to stall.
Kuusela is trying to push Lazzarini away but Lazzarini has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Lazzarini blocking some punches.
Kuusela breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lazzarini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuusela is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Lazzarini.
Lazzarini looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kuusela throws a looping overhand right but Lazzarini ducks down to avoid it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lazzarini turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kuusela throws a leg kick that misses.
Lazzarini chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kuusela can pounce on him.
Lazzarini lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kuusela is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kuusela throws a leg kick
enabling Lazzarini to counter with a crisp jab.
Kuusela throws out a loose jab but Lazzarini uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuusela sizes up Lazzarini with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kuusela misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Lazzarini counter with a right hand.
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!
Lazzarini throws a hook to the side of Kuusela's head but Kuusela sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuusela attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kuusela moves out of range of the strikes.
Kuusela misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lazzarini.
Lazzarini misses with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Flavio Lazzarini dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Flavio Lazzarini's cut.
That's time! Kuusela's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Kuusela on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Donk. Lazzarini catches Kuusela right on the button with a cross.
Kuusela is rocked!
Lazzarini on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kuusela. Kuusela obviously looking to wear him down.
Oh Kuusela is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lazzarini looks to throw the jab but Kuusela is out of range.
Kuusela appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kuusela goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kuusela seems to have got his legs back now.
Kuusela swinging wildly here.
Kuusela throws a leg kick
and Lazzarini counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Lazzarini swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lazzarini looks to land a left hand but Kuusela moved out of range nicely.
A solid leg kick lands there for Lazzarini.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kuusela misses with a body punch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lazzarini successfully pulls guard.
Kuusela wants to control from the top but Lazzarini keeps moving.
Kuusela would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kuusela wants to control from the top but Lazzarini keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lazzarini is on top in guard.
Kuusela looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Lazzarini passes into side control.
Kuusela is looking to get back to his feet here but Lazzarini is keeping cool and he's managed to take Kuusela's back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lazzarini trying to control.
Kuusela showing good submission defense here.
Kuusela is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Kuusela tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kuusela is trying to reverse the position but instead Lazzarini has taken his back - oops!
Lazzarini is looking for the choke from the back position but Kuusela is controlling his hands well.
Kuusela rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lazzarini looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lazzarini frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Lazzarini looking to control but Kuusela is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lazzarini swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Kuusela is now in Lazzarini's guard. A big mistake from Lazzarini there, giving up the dominant position!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela advances position into side control!
Kuusela stands up and beckons Lazzarini to his feet.
Kuusela connects with a body shot that sends Lazzarini's belly button to the back.
Lazzarini avoids the body shot from Kuusela.
Lazzarini moves forwards but Kuusela connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kuusela wants to land a leg kick but Lazzarini is out of range.
Kuusela tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Lazzarini slips a jab from Kuusela.
Lazzarini tries to counter by closing the distance.
Lazzarini throws out a powerful jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuusela scores with a hook to the body. Lazzarini takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Flavio Lazzarini showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Flavio Lazzarini's cut.
That's time! Kuusela's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Kuusela scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lazzarini throws a lazy right hand but Kuusela sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuusela tried to counter with a leg kick but Lazzarini avoided it.
Kuusela loads up on a big right hand but Lazzarini slips the punch.
Lazzarini throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kuusela throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kuusela misses the shot to the body.
Kuusela displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lazzarini throws out the jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Kuusela misses the target.
Lazzarini closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lazzarini scores with a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuusela breaks from the clinch.
A bone on bone clash there as Kuusela blocks the leg kick.
Lazzarini takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Flavio Lazzarini seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kuusela swings for the body but Lazzarini moves out of range.
Lazzarini throws out a counter right but Kuusela avoids it with no problem.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Lazzarini - just one landing.
Lazzarini throws a right hand that misses
and Kuusela counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kuusela throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Good leg kick by Kuusela there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Lazzarini tries to land a front kick but Kuusela steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lazzarini buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kuusela tests Lazzarini's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kuusela throws the kick towards the body but Lazzarini avoids it.
Kuusela scores with a nice head shot.
Lazzarini lands with a straight right. Kuusela didn't see that one coming.
Lazzarini throws a right hand that misses
and Kuusela holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kuusela throws a punch but it's blocked by Lazzarini.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lazzarini tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lazzarini blocks a body shot from Kuusela.
A short uppercut from Lazzarini.
Lazzarini taking a breather.
Kuusela misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lazzarini.
Lazzarini blocks a body shot from Kuusela.
Lazzarini tries a body shot but Kuusela blocks it.
Kuusela taking a breather.
Lazzarini is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kuusela is defending well for now.
Flavio Lazzarini seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lazzarini throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kuuselas head.
Kuusela misses with the head strike.
Lazzarini scores with a knee to the head.
Lazzarini lands with a right to the head.
Lazzarini tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuusela avoids it.
Armo Kuusela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela misses with a knee to the head.
Lazzarini using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lazzarini.
Lazzarini tries to throw a body punch but Kuusela avoids it by throwing Lazzarini back against the cage.
Lazzarini is looking to control Kuusela's arms but Kuusela gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lazzarini has his back to the cage.
Kuusela tries a knee to the head but Lazzarini blocks it.
Lazzarini tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuusela avoids the damage to the body.
Lazzarini landing knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Lazzarini.
Lazzarini is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kuusela to keep the fight standing.
Lazzarini landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kuusela tries to stall but Lazzarini uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kuusela.
Lazzarini jumps guard and drags Kuusela to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lazzarini is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kuusela defends well.
Lazzarini takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lazzarini is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kuusela defends well.
Flavio Lazzarini is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuusela postures up in Lazzarini's guard and throws a big left but Lazzarini blocks it.
Kuusela sitting in guard here, content to control.
Flavio Lazzarini has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lazzarini working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuusela.
Kuusela with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lazzarini has control of Kuusela's left arm, preventing Kuusela from doing any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lazzarini utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Flavio Lazzarini.
Well Lazzarini has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Flavio Lazzarini!
A determined Flavio Lazzarini didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!
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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
52% |
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