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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Santa Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Don Julio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santa Cruz's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, 50 cent P.I.M.P. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!
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| 180 cm
32
175 lbs
23 - 14 - 0 |
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186 cm
28
175 lbs
14 - 10 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rafael Santa Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Don Julio!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Joseph Jones and Lou da Vinci.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santa Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Santa Cruz, as that shot connected.
A punch combination from Julio misses.
Santa Cruz scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Santa Cruz connects with a leg kick. Julio looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Julio looks to score with a jab to the body but Santa Cruz is just out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Santa Cruz.
Julio misses with a head kick.
Santa Cruz is looking to chop away at Julio's legs.
Julio lands a jab to the head.
Rafael Santa Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Julio.
Nice defenses there by Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Santa Cruz throws a low kick, looking for Julio's leg but Julio calmly moves out of range.
Julio throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Julio chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Santa Cruz can pounce on him.
Santa Cruz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Julio.
Santa Cruz throws a lazy head kick
and Julio counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Santa Cruz scores with a kick to the midsection.
Santa Cruz looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Julio connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Santa Cruz scores with a kick to the body.
Santa Cruz is looking to slow Julio down with leg kicks.
Julio checks the leg kick nicely there.
Julio misses with a leg kick.
Santa Cruz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Julio.
Santa Cruz thuds his shin into the meat of Julio's side.
Santa Cruz avoids a kick to the body.
Julio goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick misses from Julio.
An inside leg kick lands from Santa Cruz.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Julio tries a head kick but it misses.
Julio drops his hands momentarily and Santa Cruz takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Julio throws the left hand but Santa Cruz avoids the punch easily.
Julio throws a nice looking combination but Santa Cruz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Santa Cruz 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.
Santa Cruz wants to slow Julio down by chopping away at his legs.
Santa Cruz ducks under a wild hook from Julio.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick
and Julio counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Julio throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
An attempted straight right counter from Santa Cruz misses the target.
Julio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Santa Cruz clinches up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Santa Cruz fails to land.
Santa Cruz working aggressively here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz has Julio pressed against the cage, preventing Julio from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Santa Cruz throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Santa Cruz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Julio letting Santa Cruz take a breather here.
Santa Cruz struggles to land a body shot inside as Julio controls his hands.
Santa Cruz's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Santa Cruz misses with a short punch on the inside.
Santa Cruz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Santa Cruz manages to break the clinch.
Julio misses with a straight right.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Julio throws the kick towards the body but Santa Cruz avoids it.
Julio misses with a right hand
and Santa Cruz counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Julio lands a right hook to the body.
A good leg kick by Santa Cruz.
Don Julio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Julio fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Julio walks into a left hand.
Santa Cruz misses with a low kick.
Julio throws a hook but Santa Cruz blocks it.
Julio moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
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!
Julio lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Santa Cruz wants to clinch.
A countering left hand to the body from Julio misses.
Santa Cruz tries to clinch there but Julio circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Rafael Santa Cruz will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Santa Cruz misses with a wild body shot.
Don Julio seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That kick from Julio tenderised Santa Cruz's leg. Santa Cruz is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd cheers as Julio lands an impressive looking overhand right. Santa Cruz doesn't seem phased though.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick
and Julio counters with a low kick, right behind Santa Cruz 's knee.
Santa Cruz lands a high kick!
Santa Cruz thows a leg kick but Julio checks it
and Santa Cruz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A big left from Santa Cruz misses.
Santa Cruz takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Santa Cruz connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Good leg kick by Julio there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Julio thows a left - swing and a miss!
Julio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Santa Cruz decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Julio's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santa Cruz stands up over Julio, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Santa Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Julio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Santa Cruz postures up and lands a big shot to Julio's brow.
Santa Cruz throwing strikes from guard but Julio blocks nicely.
Santa Cruz throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Julio works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Santa Cruz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Santa Cruz looking to pass the guard.
Santa Cruz has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Santa Cruz trying to control but Julio is working from the bottom.
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.
Santa Cruz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Julio working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Santa Cruz.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Santa Cruz connects with an inside leg kick.
Julio throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
No joy there for Julio, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Santa Cruz connects with a crisp jab.
Santa Cruz 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.
Nice defenses there by Julio.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick that is checked
and Julio counters with a nice kick to the body.
Julio scores with a push kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Santa Cruz.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz avoids the head kick by Julio.
Julio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Santa Cruz misses with a head kick.
Julio throws a head kick that misses.
Julio checks a low kick from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz throws out a leg kick but Julio moves out of range and Santa Cruz only half commits.
Julio on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz obviously looking to wear him down.
Santa Cruz throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Julio.
A slapping leg kick lands for Santa Cruz.
Julio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Julio takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Santa Cruz, right into the meat.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Santa Cruz lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Julio has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Julio and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Julio ducks under a wild hook from Santa Cruz.
Julio steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz slips under a jab.
Santa Cruz throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Santa Cruz checks a leg kick nicely.
Julio throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Santa Cruz counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Julio's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A clash of legs there as Julio blocks the low kick.
Julio fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Santa Cruz motions for Julio to come forward. Santa Cruz throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Santa Cruz connects with a leg kick. Julio looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Julio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz takes one on the button.
Julio fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Santa Cruz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Santa Cruz gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Julio counters with a stiff right hand.
Julio throws a body punch but Santa Cruz moves out of range.
Julio scores with a jab to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Rafael Santa Cruz will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Santa Cruz fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Julio.
Julio throws a right hand that misses
and Santa Cruz makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Julio checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Santa Cruz dives in and scores a takedown into Julio's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santa Cruz scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Santa Cruz tries to free his leg and advance position but Julio is retaining full guard.
Santa Cruz lands a couple of digs.
Julio is looking to stand up but Santa Cruz isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santa Cruz with a flurry of punches that miss.
Santa Cruz trying to control but Julio is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Santa Cruz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Santa Cruz postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Julio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Santa Cruz checks a leg kick.
Julio on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz obviously looking to wear him down.
Santa Cruz throws the kick towards the body but Julio avoids it.
Julio unleashes a big counter combination but Santa Cruz bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Julio misses with a body kick.
Santa Cruz is looking to counter with a body kick.
Julio misses with a wild combination.
It looked like Santa Cruz wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Julio moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Santa Cruz.
Julio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice takedown defense from Julio. No joy for Santa Cruz on that attempt.
Julio lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Santa Cruz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Julio connects with a single shot there.
Santa Cruz goes for a double leg but Julio avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Julio continues to drive forward.
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!
Julio buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Santa Cruz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Julio but Julio pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Santa Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santa Cruz tries to land a body kick
and Julio cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz throws a low kick but Julio moves out of range easily.
Santa Cruz attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Julio raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Julio takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Santa Cruz misses with a body kick.
Santa Cruz finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Julio darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Julio moves out of range of the body kick from Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz backing away here, and Julio unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Julio throws a sloppy head kick
and Santa Cruz counters with a nice kick to the body.
Santa Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Julio.
Santa Cruz quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Santa Cruz throws a head kick but Julio moves out of range.
Julio throws a series of punches but Santa Cruz moves out of range.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick that is checked
and Julio connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.
Santa Cruz fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Santa Cruz misses with a low kick as Julio jumps back.
Santa Cruz misses with a hook. Julio ducked under it nicely.
Julio blocks a head kick by Santa Cruz.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Julio 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.
Santa Cruz shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Julio thinks about the counter body kick.
Julio throws a hook but Santa Cruz blocks it.
A cross from Julio lands.
Santa Cruz checks the leg kick.
It looked like Santa Cruz was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Santa Cruz moves out of range of the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Rafael Santa Cruz did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Santa Cruz walks forward, straight into a front kick from Julio.
Santa Cruz lands a nice leg kick that just misses Julio's sensitive parts.
Julio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Santa Cruz was well out of range. Poor timing from Julio.
Julio misses with a shot to the body
and Santa Cruz counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A bone on bone clash there as Julio blocks the leg kick.
Julio takes a swing at Santa Cruz's ribcage but misses.
Santa Cruz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Julio swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Santa Cruz wants to slow Julio down by chopping away at his legs.
Julio thinks about the counter body kick.
Julio fails to land with a series of punches.
Santa Cruz wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santa Cruz throws a body shot but no joy.
Santa Cruz misses with a body kick.
Julio lands an overhand right.
A jab from Julio does it's job there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Julio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Santa Cruz.
Julio looks to land a body kick but Santa Cruz moved away.
A thudding body kick lands there by Julio!
Julio fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Santa Cruz checks it well.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Santa Cruz, right into the meat.
Santa Cruz tries for a takedown but Julio circles away easily
letting Julio counter with a right hand.
Julio throws out a powerful jab.
Julio lands a nice leg kick that just misses Santa Cruz's sensitive parts.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz ducks right into an uppercut from Julio.
Santa Cruz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Santa Cruz blocks a low kick nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Julio takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Santa Cruz pivots, looking for a leg kick but Julio is out of range and Santa Cruz settles back down.
Some bone on bone action there as Santa Cruz checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A slapping leg kick lands for Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Julio appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Santa Cruz misses with a body kick.
Santa Cruz takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Santa Cruz scores with a kick to the midsection.
An inside leg kick from Santa Cruz misses.
Julio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Santa Cruz.
Julio cracks the inside of Santa Cruz's front leg.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz 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.
Santa Cruz pushes Julio away with a front kick.
Julio checks a leg kick.
Crunch! Julio slams his shin into Santa Cruz's torso.
A clash of legs there as Julio blocks the low kick.
Julio steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Julio crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Santa Cruz - the referee stops the clock and Julio gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Santa Cruz. Julio manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Santa Cruz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Julio pinned against the cage. Julio gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Santa Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A shot to the liver by Julio. Beautiful body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz walks into a straight right hand from Julio.
Santa Cruz pushes Julio away with a front kick.
Santa Cruz shoots in and bounces Julio off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Julio wants to stand up but Santa Cruz is controlling him.
Santa Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Julio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santa Cruz prevents Julio from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close fourth round but I would say that Rafael Santa Cruz will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!
Santa Cruz checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Santa Cruz throws a leg kick but Julio sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Santa Cruz tries to close the distance and clinch but Julio swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Julio appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz throws a head kick but Julio moves out of range.
Santa Cruz doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Julio closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Santa Cruz lands a head kick!
Julio throws a head kick that Santa Cruz semi-blocks.
Julio misses with a straight right.
Julio looks for the body kick but Santa Cruz saw that one coming.
Santa Cruz bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Julio dodges the ground and pound from Santa Cruz.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santa Cruz tries to advance to mount but Julio denies him.
Julio is looking to get back to his feet here but Santa Cruz is keeping cool and he's managed to take Julio's back.
Julio is trying to stand back up.
Santa Cruz misses with punches from the back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Santa Cruz wants to control but Julio is keeping busy.
Santa Cruz connects with a big shot to the side of Julio's head.
Santa Cruz throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Julio is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Julio looking very determined here, making life difficult for Santa Cruz.
Julio takes a big shot to the side of the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Rafael Santa Cruz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Santa Cruz cracks Julio with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Julio from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Rafael Santa Cruz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Even with his hooks in, Santa Cruz manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Don Julio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Julio is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz is throwing strikes but Julio counters by rolling into a better position. After a scramble, Julio regains half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santa Cruz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Julio's head.
Santa Cruz is looking to advance position but Julio won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Santa Cruz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Julio's head.
And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Santa Cruz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Santa Cruz, 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 50:47
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 50:47
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 47:48
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rafael Santa Cruz!
As Rafael Santa Cruz got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Ozinuki, it is 1-1 why you run after you get lucky, come on, man the fuck up punk!'.
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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
55% |
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