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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jami Balkan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roman Kersikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kersikov has chosen Iron Maiden - The Wicker Man as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 177 cm
30
162 lbs
22 - 8 - 0 |
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173 cm
30
158 lbs
21 - 3 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jami Balkan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
21 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Roman Kersikov!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yuuki Gou and Taro Takaoka.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kersikov ducks under a wild hook from Balkan.
Kersikov slips a straight right by Balkan.
Balkan misses with a body shot.
Balkan lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kersikov blocks a low kick nicely.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kersikov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Balkan listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Balkan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws a lazy uppercut
and Kersikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kersikov misses with a wild body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Balkan there.
Balkan 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.
Kersikov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kersikov takes a swing at Balkan's ribcage but misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kersikov. Balkan shrugs it off though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balkan digs a good body shot into Kersikov's ribs.
Balkan lands a slapping body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Balkan takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Balkan loads up on a big right hand but Kersikov slips the punch.
Kersikov with the counter takedown but Balkan avoids it easily.
Jami Balkan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kersikov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Balkan swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kersikov counters with a nice leg kick.
Balkan throws a body shot but no joy.
Kersikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kersikov lands a right hook to the body.
Kersikov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Balkan misses with a body shot.
Kersikov throws out a loose jab but Balkan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Balkan's sensitive parts.
Kersikov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Balkan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Balkan throws a front kick aimed at Kersikov's knee but Kersikov avoids it well.
Balkan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kersikov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A punch combination from Balkan misses.
Kersikov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Balkan's calf.
Balkan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kersikov.
Kersikov throws the kick towards the body but Balkan avoids it.
Some bone on bone action there as Balkan checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Balkan swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Balkan throws a leg kick which misses Kersikov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kersikov tries to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Balkan.
Kersikov tried to score with a low kick but Balkan checks it.
Balkan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Balkan.
A solid leg kick lands there for Balkan.
Jab from Balkan.
Kersikov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Balkan motions for Kersikov to come forward. Balkan throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And Kersikov tries to counter it with a takedown but Balkan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Balkan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kersikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Balkan tenderised Kersikov's leg. Kersikov is trying to keep his angry face on.
A jab from Kersikov misses.
Kersikov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Balkan drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kersikov connects with a solid leg kick.
That kick from Balkan tenderised Kersikov's leg. Kersikov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kersikov throws the kick towards the body but Balkan avoids it.
Kersikov blocks the body kick.
Kersikov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kersikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Balkan scoring well with a low kick there.
Balkan connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Balkan throws a right hand that misses
and Kersikov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kersikov wants to pass the guard but Balkan is keeping the position.
Kersikov trying to control but Balkan is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Balkan is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kersikov, into his guard.
Balkan works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Balkan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kersikov defends it well.
Balkan is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Jami Balkan dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Kersikov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Balkan.
Kersikov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A nice inside leg kick there by Balkan. That's going to slow Kersikov down.
Balkan scores with a jab to the body.
Kersikov lands with a nice body kick.
Balkan throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kersikov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
It looks like Jami Balkan has been cut.
Kersikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balkan lands with a shot to the body.
Kersikov fails with a takedown attempt.
Balkan misses with a straight right.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov looks to land a right hand but Balkan moved out of range.
Balkan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kersikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kersikov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Balkan throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Balkan swings widly with a right hand
so Kersikov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kersikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Balkan is retaining full guard.
Balkan trying to keep a closed guard but Kersikov is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kersikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kersikov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Balkan's head.
Kersikov throwing strikes from guard but Balkan blocks nicely.
Kersikov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kersikov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Balkan's guard.
Kersikov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kersikov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kersikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Balkan keeps working.
Balkan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kersikov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Balkan knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Balkan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kersikov working over Balkan with some ground and pound. Balkan looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Balkan wants to get back to full guard.
Kersikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kersikov thows a huge punch but Balkan dodges it nicely.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Balkan moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kersikov misses with a straight left.
Jami Balkan is winning the standup battle so far.
Balkan is looking to slow Kersikov down with leg kicks.
Kersikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balkan on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kersikov misses with a low kick as Balkan jumps back.
Kersikov misses with a straight left.
Balkan's corner calls for a 1-2. Balkan obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kersikov is looking to land body kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Roman Kersikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jami Balkan's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Kersikov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Balkan throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Balkan swings for the body but Kersikov moves out of range.
Kersikov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Balkan defends it well.
Balkan moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
Balkan lands with a good body shot.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Balkan.
Balkan fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kersikov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kersikov stuns Balkan with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Balkan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kersikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov misses with a leg kick.
Balkan misses with a kick to the body.
Balkan finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kersikov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Balkan misses with a hook.
Balkan misses with a low kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kersikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Balkan.
A punch lands to the side of Kersikov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Good leg kick by Kersikov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Balkan misses with a straight right.
Kersikov throws a leg kick which misses Balkan's front leg but catches the back leg as Balkan tries to avoid it.
Balkan checks a leg kick nicely.
Balkan misses with a leg kick
and Kersikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kersikov throws the kick towards the body but Balkan avoids it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kersikov.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kersikov.
Balkan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kersikov.
That kick from Kersikov tenderised Balkan's leg. Balkan is trying to keep his angry face on.
Balkan tests Kersikov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Balkan misses with a looping right.
Kersikov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Balkan defends it well.
Balkan paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kersikov misses with a body shot.
Kersikov slips under a jab from Balkan.
Balkan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Balkan scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Balkan moves out of range of the strikes.
Balkan looks to land a combination but Kersikov avoids it well.
Balkan lands a nice hook to Kersikov's body. Kersikov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Balkan thuds his right hand into Kersikov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Balkan misses with a kick to the body.
Balkan misses with a wild body shot.
Kersikov lands a really nice looking cross but Balkan seems unphased.
Balkan lands with a straight right. Kersikov didn't see that one coming.
Balkan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kersikov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Balkan is looking to counter punch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Balkan.
Balkan misses with a looping right.
Kersikov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A lazy left from Kersikov finds it's target.
Kersikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Balkan throws a body punch but Kersikov moves out of range.
Balkan throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
As Kersikov backs away, Balkan returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Balkan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kersikov throws a hook but Balkan blocks it.
Kersikov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kersikov dodges the punch combination from Balkan.
Jami Balkan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan connects with a right hand. Kersikov shakes it off.
Kersikov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Balkan.
Kersikov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kersikov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Balkan throws the kick towards the body but Kersikov avoids it.
Balkan throws an overhand right that lands on Kersikov's shoulder, as Kersikov tries to avoid the shot.
Balkan explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A head kick misses from Kersikov.
Balkan seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Kersikov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kersikov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kersikov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Balkan is out of range.
Kersikov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kersikov there as he acknowledges the shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Jami Balkan clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Jami Balkan'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.
Balkan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Balkan.
Kersikov takes one to the side of the head.
Balkan looks to throw the jab but Kersikov is out of range.
Balkan tries to land a body kick
and Kersikov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Roman Kersikov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kersikov in particular looking to stall.
Kersikov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kersikov is looking for a kimura here.
Balkan is doing well to control the position and prevent Kersikov from advancing to side control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan trying to control but Kersikov postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balkan controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Kersikov is trying to control. Balkan wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Balkan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kersikov lands a nice shot to the body.
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.
Kersikov darts in looking for a takedown but Balkan gets double underhooks and turns Kersikov into the cage.
Balkan on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kersikov. Kersikov obviously looking to wear him down.
Balkan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Balkan throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kersikov tries a head kick but it misses.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the body.
Balkan lands a head kick!
Balkan staying out of range there.
Kersikov misses with an uppercut. Balkan saw that one coming.
Kersikov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Kersikov checks a leg kick.
Kersikov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Balkan.
Balkan misses with a hook. Kersikov ducked under it nicely.
Balkan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan feints and then cracks Kersikov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kersikov down.
Balkan tries to land a front kick but Kersikov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kersikov moves away from the strike by Balkan.
Kersikov throws a leg kick
and Balkan counters with a right hand to the body.
A jab from Balkan misses.
Balkan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kersikov throws a head kick that misses.
Kersikov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Balkan. That did some damage!
Kersikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Kersikov swings for the body but Balkan moves out of range.
Balkan throws out a loose jab but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kersikov tries to land a front kick but Balkan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Balkan delivers a nice body kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Balkan lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Balkan throws a leg kick but Kersikov checks it.
A punch lands to the side of Kersikov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kersikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Balkan scores with a nice strike.
Balkan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Balkan misses with a low kick.
Kersikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Balkan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kersikov.
Balkan connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kersikov's hands.
Balkan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Balkan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
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 Jami Balkan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jami Balkan's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Balkan moves out of range of the strikes.
A counter left hand to the body from Balkan misses its target.
Balkan stuffs the takedown.
Kersikov misses with a body punch
and Balkan counters with a nice uppercut.
Balkan blocks the body kick.
Balkan dips to his left and cracks Kersikov with an uppercut!
Balkan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Balkan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kersikov.
A nice inside leg kick there by Balkan. That's going to slow Kersikov down.
Kersikov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kersikov scores with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balkan darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Balkan moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
Balkan connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A slow jab from Balkan misses its intended target.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kersikov tries to land a body kick
and Balkan counters with a nice leg kick.
Kersikov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kersikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Balkan.
Balkan moves forwards but Kersikov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kersikov misses with a lunging right hand
and Balkan counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kersikov needs to keep his hands up - Balkan had a free shot at his head there.
Kersikov misses with a low kick.
Kersikov blocks a jab.
Kersikov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Balkan checks a low kick from Kersikov.
Balkan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kersikov scores with a jab to the body.
Kersikov misses the shot to the body.
Balkan dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kersikov. That did some damage!
Kersikov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Balkan's head.
Roman Kersikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balkan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Balkan with a jab.
Balkan lands a jab to Kersikov's midsection.
A shot to the liver by Balkan. Beautiful body shot.
Balkan moves out of range of the strikes.
Balkan slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Balkan will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kersikov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kersikov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Balkan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Danga de danga de dang - Balkan scores with a four punch combination!
Kersikov avoids a kick to the body.
Kersikov throws an overhand right that lands on Balkan's shoulder, as Balkan tries to avoid the shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan moves away from the strike by Kersikov.
Kersikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balkan.
Balkan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Balkan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Balkan blocks the body kick.
It appears Balkan was looking to counter with a kick there.
Balkan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Balkan connects with a body shot.
Balkan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kersikov is able to avoid easily.
Kersikov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kersikov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kersikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Balkan.
A jab from Balkan does it's job there.
Balkan misses with a head kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Balkan. That's going to slow Kersikov down.
Balkan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kersikov can do to turn this around?
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan throws out a loose jab but Kersikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Balkan's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kersikov under the eye.
An inside leg kick from Kersikov misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kersikov avoids the body shot from Balkan.
Balkan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Balkan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kersikov is able to avoid easily.
Kersikov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kersikov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Balkan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Balkan throws a shot from downtown. Kersikov moves away and avoids it.
Balkan looks to land a left hand but Kersikov moved out of range nicely.
Balkan misses with a two punch combination.
Kersikov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kersikov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kersikov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
And that's the end of the fight!
Jami Balkan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Balkan 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 49:46
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jami Balkan!
Jami Balkan retains his lightweight title!
A victorious Jami Balkan thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
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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
67% |
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