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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Simon Strange (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taneli Maija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!
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| 175 cm
24
173 lbs
11 - 4 - 0 |
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183 cm
35
177 lbs
16 - 7 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Simon Strange!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taneli Maija!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maija will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Strange slips a straight right by Maija.
Strange works the jab nicely.
Maija throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Maija pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Strange misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maija.
A swing and a miss from Strange.
Maija feints the counter takedown.
Maija waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Strange.
Strange swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A big right from Maija misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strange avoids the body shot from Maija.
Maija throws a hook but Strange avoids it easily.
A big right from Maija misses.
Maija misses the body punch
and Strange counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Maija misses with a right hand
and Strange counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Maija misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Strange cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Maija misses with a straight right.
Strange stuffs the takedown attempt from Maija. Maija gets slowly back to his feet.
A counter left hand to the body from Strange misses its target.
Maija takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Maija throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Strange sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Maija showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Strange.
Maija pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A shot to the liver by Strange. Beautiful body shot.
Strange displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maija.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strange avoids the body shot from Maija.
Strange throws a shot from downtown. Maija moves away and avoids it.
Strange lands a head shot.
Maija thows a left - swing and a miss!
Strange went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Maija throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Strange works the jab nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maija misses with an uppercut. Strange saw that one coming.
Maija has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Maija takes one to the chin there.
Strange ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Maija throws a shot from downtown. Strange moves away and avoids it.
Maija misses with an uppercut. Strange saw that one coming.
It looked like Strange wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Strange scores with a jab to the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maija's jab looks to have found its range, popping Strange under the eye.
Strange takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Maija looks to score with a jab to the body but Strange is just out of range.
Strange throwing a counter right hand but Maija manages to avoid it.
Strange moves away from the strike by Maija.
Simon Strange is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maija throws a hook but Strange avoids it easily.
Maija misses with an uppercut. Strange saw that one coming.
Maija misses with a hook. Strange ducked under it nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Maija.
Strange swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Simon Strange has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taneli Maija.
Maija connects with a looping right hand.
No luck for Maija with that takedown attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strange scores with a jab.
Strange throws a shot to the body.
Strange is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Maija misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Strange.
Strange is looking to counter punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maija lands a jab to the head.
Maija keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Strange stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Strange wants it to stay on the feet.
Strange lands with a good body shot.
Maija throws a hook but Strange blocks it.
Strange connects with a crisp jab.
Strange's jab looks to have found its range, popping Maija under the eye.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Simon Strange dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Maija throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Strange was covering up waiting for the punch and Maija finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Strange working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maija doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maija manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Strange being controlled here, momentarily.
Strange looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Strange is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maija can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maija wants to control from the top but Strange keeps moving.
Maija is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Maija tries to free his leg and advance position but Strange is retaining full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Maija advances to half guard.
Maija is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Strange sees it coming and defends easily.
Maija seems to be looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strange looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Strange wants to control but Maija is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Strange wants to get back to full guard.
Strange is in trouble now - Maija has advanced to mount!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strange wants to hold on but Maija pushes him away.
Strange keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Maija looking to control but Strange is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Strange is looking to improve his position but Maija isn't that keen on the idea.
Maija with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Maija tries to control but Strange wriggling away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strange bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Maija working a defensive guard here.
Strange tries to free his leg and advance position but Maija is retaining full guard.
Strange advances position into side control!
Strange looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Strange working away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strange tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Strange with the ground and pound but Maija regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Strange throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Maija to regain full guard.
Strange wants to pass the guard but Maija is keeping the position.
Strange's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maija keeping moving, preventing Strange from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Taneli Maija showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Maija misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Strange seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Maija swings widly with a right hand
and Strange counters with a stiff right hand.
A slow jab from Strange misses its intended target.
Maija throws a jab when Strange was well out of range.
Strange lands a right hook to the body.
Strange tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maija was well out of range. Poor timing from Strange.
Maija shoots in looking for a takedown. Strange tries to sprawl out of it but Maija keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Strange manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maija walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Maija throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Maija swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Strange counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Maija throws a lazy right hand but Strange sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Strange is looking to counter punch.
Maija looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Simon Strange has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taneli Maija.
Strange moves out of range of the leg kick from Maija.
An attempted straight right counter from Strange misses the target.
Maija uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Strange.
Maija has his takedown stuffed
enabling Strange to counter with a crisp jab.
Strange displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maija throws out the jab.
Maija misses with a body shot.
Strange swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maija takes one to the chin there.
Maija throws a sloppy body shot
and Strange counters with a left to the body.
Strange ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Strange swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Maija has his takedown stuffed
and Maija takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Strange avoids the body shot from Maija.
Strange was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Strange lands a right hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Strange works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Maija tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strange was well out of range. Poor timing from Maija.
Strange was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Maija with a lazy takedown attempt
and Strange counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Maija shoots in and drives through. Strange sprawls well.
Strange was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Strange ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maija takes one to the side of the head.
Strange slips under a jab from Maija.
A swing and a miss from Maija.
A little feinted left hand from Strange on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Maija misses with a takedown attempt - Strange sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Strange was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Strange lands with a straight right. Maija didn't see that one coming.
Maija closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Maija lands in his opponent's guard.
Strange is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Strange managing to control the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strange trying to control the position.
Maija stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Strange swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Strange working for a triangle but Maija defends it easily.
Strange looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Maija trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that's the end of the fight!
Simon Strange showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Strange has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon Strange!
During a confident post fight interview, Simon Strange thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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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
42% |
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