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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Ponting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenji Kato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 170 cm
35
160 lbs
25 - 23 - 0 |
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176 cm
30
167 lbs
17 - 8 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
25 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ricky Ponting!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kenji Kato!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ponting misses with a head kick.
Kato throws out a counter right but Ponting avoids it with no problem.
We've been told by Ponting's head coaches at Nordic Top Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kato moves out of range of the strikes.
Kato throws a good cross that connects.
Ponting looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ponting misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kato misses with a right hand
and Ponting counters with a stiff right hand.
Kato misses with a looping left.
Ponting pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kato appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ponting walks into a jab.
Kato scores with a decent looking hook.
Kato has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Nice defenses there by Ponting.
Kato throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ponting sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ponting slips a straight right by Kato.
Kenji Kato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ponting takes one on the chin but seems OK.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kato throws a jab but it's blocked by Ponting.
Kato swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kato takes one to the chin there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponting avoids the head kick by Kato.
Ponting ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kato moves away.
Jab from Ponting.
Kato looks to land a right hand but Ponting moved out of range.
Nice jab there from Ponting.
Kato throws a lazy uppercut
and Ponting counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kato cracks Ponting with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ponting throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kato.
Ponting lands a slapping body shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ponting checks a leg kick.
Kato throws out a loose jab but Ponting uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ponting gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ponting fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kato manages to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ponting.
Ponting misses with a low kick.
Kato swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kenji Kato is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kato scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kato misses with a straight left.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponting displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kato throws out the jab.
Ponting tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kato defends well and Ponting ends up having to push Kato into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kato throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Ponting to counter with a crisp jab.
Kato looks to throw the jab but Ponting is out of range.
Ponting swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kato swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kato misses with a hook
and Ponting counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ponting gets the takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kato prevents Ponting from moving into mount.
Ponting trying to control the position but Kato is working away.
Kato wants to control but Ponting postures up.
Ponting trying to control the action but Kato is working from the bottom.
Kato takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponting moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Kato can't do much from the bottom here.
Ponting tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kato struggling a bit here.
Ponting in side control, throwing shots but Kato defends.
Ponting creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kato sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ponting in the domination position with Kato hanging on.
Ponting is trying to ground and pound but Kato uses the momentary lack of control by Ponting to regain half guard.
Kato is trying to maintain the position but Ponting is very close to passing his half guard.
Ponting throwing shots but Kato is blocking nicely.
Kato keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ponting sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kato defending well though.
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 Ricky Ponting will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Ponting shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
It seemed like Kato was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kato moves away from the strike by Ponting.
Good shot there by Kato.
Kato might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kato scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A swing and a miss from Kato.
Ponting checks a leg kick.
Kato walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ponting checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ponting scores with a decent looking hook.
Ponting throws a shot from downtown. Kato moves away and avoids it.
Ponting moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromKato.
Kato throws a poor cross that misses
and Ponting counters with a stiff right hand.
Kato leaves Ponting with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kato throws a looping overhand right but Ponting ducks down to avoid it.
Kato throws a hook but Ponting blocks it.
A swing and a miss from Kato.
Kato will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kato throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato dodges the punch combination from Ponting.
Ponting moves out of range of the strikes.
Kato throws a lazy right hand but Ponting sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A jab lands there for Kato.
Ponting looks to throw the jab but Kato is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kato! But no joy.
Kato pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Ponting wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ponting scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ponting lands an elbow.
Ponting working the head with strikes.
Ponting tries to score with some ground and pound. Kato controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kato can't do much from the bottom here.
Kato is looking for a sweep.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kato manages to get back to half guard.
Kato tries to roll over but Ponting keeps him under control.
Kato wants to control but Ponting is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ponting sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kato defending well though.
Kato wants to control but Ponting is keeping busy.
Ponting lands strikes from half guard.
Ponting is trying to control. Kato wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponting seems to be working for a kimura but Kato defends the submission attempt.
Ponting thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ponting not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kato looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kato trying to control here.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Ponting.
Kato can't do much from the bottom here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponting working the ground and pound.
Kato is trying to control Ponting's posture but Ponting avoids it.
Kato tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ponting wants to control but Kato is keeping him busy.
Kato is trying to control Ponting's posture but Ponting avoids it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kato regains half guard, as Ponting was trying to land strikes.
Ponting drops an elbow to the side of Kato's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ricky Ponting dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Ponting on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A low kick from Kato misses
and Ponting counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kato!
Kato is not content to let Ponting control the position.
Kato is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kato keeps trying to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kato is not content to let Ponting control the position.
Ponting is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kato is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kato parries the strikes from Ponting easily there. Ponting is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kato to escape.
Kato struggling a bit here.
Ponting in side control, throwing shots but Kato defends.
Kato parries the strikes from Ponting easily there. Ponting is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kato to escape.
Ponting tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Ponting with the ground and pound but Kato regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Ponting not landing any meaningful shots this time.
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.
Ponting looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kato trying to hold on to Ponting's head to control him but Ponting postures up.
Ponting throwing shots but Kato is blocking nicely.
Kato is looking to control Ponting's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kato avoid being mounted?
Ponting missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kato blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ponting.
Ricky Ponting overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kato trying to hold on to Ponting's head to control him but Ponting postures up.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A big left from Kato misses.
Ponting chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kato can pounce on him.
Ponting ducks under a wild hook from Kato.
Kenji Kato seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ponting connects with a looping right hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponting staying out of range there.
Nice cross by Ponting.
Ponting throws a series of punches but Kato moves out of range.
Kato is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kato is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ponting.
Kato throws a nice looking combination but Ponting bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A little feinted left hand from Ponting on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nice uppercut lands for Kato. That snapped Ponting's head back.
Ponting lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A telegraphed right hand from Kato misses the target.
Ponting connects with a right hand. Kato shakes it off.
Kato misses with a series of wild punches.
Nice shot lands for Kato.
Kato works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ponting shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kato but Kato pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kato with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ponting to score with a decent uppercut.
Kato misses with a hook.
Ponting loads up on a big right hand but Kato slips the punch.
Ponting lands the left hand.
Kato on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A big right from Ponting misses.
Ponting lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Ponting throws a hook but Kato avoids it easily.
Ponting scores with a nice right hand.
Kato throws a jab but it's blocked by Ponting.
Ponting is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ponting changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kato tries to avoid it but Ponting manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kato to the ground. Kato escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ponting scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kato misses with a left hand
and Ponting counters with a straight right hand.
Kenji Kato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ponting ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Ponting showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ponting, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Ponting!
A victorious Ricky Ponting 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
52% |
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