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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Taisto Murkula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Harbor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murkula comes to the cage accompanied by Forever Angel. This should be fireworks!
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| 184 cm
32
188 lbs
27 - 5 - 2 |
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184 cm
32
193 lbs
25 - 21 - 1 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
27 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Taisto Murkula!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
25 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Harbor!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Andrew Berry and Chris Edwards.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murkula blocks a jab.
Murkula throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Harbor darts in looking for a takedown but Murkula gets double underhooks and turns Harbor into the cage.
Murkula is looking to counter with a body kick.
Harbor misses the jab.
Murkula on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Harbor cracks Murkula with an open hand slap.
Murkula misses with a straight right.
Murkula throws a head kick that misses.
Harbor scores with a nice head shot.
Harbor darts in looking for a takedown but Murkula gets double underhooks and turns Harbor into the cage.
Harbor misses the jab.
Taisto Murkula seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harbor fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Murkula lands with a right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Harbor throws a combination. Murkula tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
We've been informed that Harbor has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Harbor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Murkula attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Murkula throws a hook but Harbor avoids it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Murkula.
Harbor walks into a left hand.
Harbor looks to throw the jab but Murkula is out of range.
A swing and a miss from Harbor.
Harbor throws a series of punches but Murkula moves out of range.
Murkula tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A big right from Murkula misses.
A swing and a miss from Murkula.
A head kick misses from Murkula.
Harbor misses with a looping right.
As Harbor backs away, Murkula returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Murkula throws a hook but Harbor avoids it easily.
Harbor misses with a left hand
and Murkula counters with a nice low kick that buckles Harbor's knee momentarily.
Murkula tries a head kick but it misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Harbor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Murkula tried to counter with a leg kick but Harbor avoided it.
Murkula moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
It looks like James Harbor has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Harbor swings for the body but Murkula moves out of range.
Harbor throws a jab when Murkula was well out of range.
Harbor 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.
Murkula is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Harbor.
Harbor scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Harbor moves out of range as Murkula strikes.
Harbor lands a jab.
Nice straight punches there by Murkula. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Murkula.
Murkula throws a head kick but Harbor moves out of range.
Harbor shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Murkula pinned against the cage. Murkula gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Taisto Murkula has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Harbor.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula is looking to chop away at Harbor's legs.
Taisto Murkula is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Harbor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Harbor slips under a jab from Murkula.
And Harbor tries to counter it with a takedown but Murkula pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A telegraphed right hand from Harbor misses the target.
A clash of legs there as Harbor blocks the low kick.
Harbor takes a swing at Murkula's ribcage but misses.
Murkula throws a head kick but Harbor moves out of range.
Harbor throws a body shot but no joy.
Harbor misses with a right hand
and Murkula counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Harbor punishes Murkula's body with a nice straight punch.
Murkula misses with a low kick.
Harbor thuds his right hand into Murkula's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Harbor with a jab.
A head kick misses from Murkula.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murkula slips under a jab from Harbor.
Harbor needs to keep his hands up - Murkula had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harbor bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Murkula's head backwards.
Harbor scores with a jab. Murkula acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Harbor checks a low kick from Murkula.
Harbor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Harbor misses the jab.
Murkula throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Harbor throws a body punch but Murkula moves out of range.
Murkula has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Murkula there as he acknowledges the shot.
Murkula throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Harbor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Harbor is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Murkula with a body shot.
Harbor uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Murkula throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Harbor unleashes a big counter combination but Murkula bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Harbor checks the leg kick.
Harbor feints the counter takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but James Harbor will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on James Harbor's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!
Harbor uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Murkula.
Murkula closes the distance and clinches.
Harbor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murkula misses with a hook. Harbor ducked under it nicely.
Harbor tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Murkula showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Harbor.
Harbor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Murkula.
Murkula scoring well with a low kick there.
A lazy left from Harbor finds it's target.
A swing and a miss from Murkula.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murkula throws a sloppy head kick and Harbor moves out of range easily.
Harbor jabs Murkula to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Harbor scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Harbor blocks a jab.
Harbor drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Murkula defends it well.
Murkula has taken the fight to the clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murkula.
Harbor lands a right hand that snaps the head of Murkula backwards.
Murkula blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Murkula misses with the head strike.
Harbor jumps guard and drags Murkula to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Murkula passes into half guard.
Harbor holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Murkula trying to control the action but Harbor is working from the bottom.
Harbor wants to get back to full guard.
Murkula is looking to advance position but Harbor won't allow it.
Harbor has his hands clasped together around Murkula's back. He's all about the action.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Harbor looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Murkula working Harbor over with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harbor is concentrating on defense, preventing Murkula from advancing position.
We've been hearing that Murkula has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Murkula is thwarting Harbor's attempts to control the position.
Harbor has his hands clasped together around Murkula's back. He's all about the action.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Harbor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Murkula not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Murkula is thwarting Harbor's attempts to control the position.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Murkula with a hook.
Harbor loads up on a big right hand but Murkula slips the punch.
Murkula tried to counter with a leg kick but Harbor avoided it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harbor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murkula moves away.
Murkula swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Murkula looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Murkula tries to close the distance and clinch but Harbor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Harbor fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Murkula looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Murkula scores with the left hand. Harbor knows he should have avoided that one.
Murkula shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Harbor takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Murkula attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Murkula throws a solid leg kick but Harbor takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Murkula.
Murkula throws a leg kick but Harbor sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Taisto Murkula is winning the standup battle so far.
Harbor lands a nice hook to Murkula's body. Murkula takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Murkula keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Harbor.
Harbor misses with an uppercut. Murkula saw that one coming.
Murkula feinted there with a counter leg kick.
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 Taisto Murkula will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on James Harbor's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Murkula turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Murkula throws a big shot that misses.
Murkula connects with a leg kick. Harbor looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Murkula misses with an uppercut. Harbor saw that one coming.
Murkula tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Harbor looks to throw the jab but Murkula is out of range.
Murkula tries a head kick but it misses.
Murkula buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Harbor scores with a sloppy right hand. Murkula should have avoided that one.
Murkula takes one on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murkula misses with an uppercut. Harbor saw that one coming.
Harbor misses with a hook
and Harbor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Murkula scores with a crisp jab that stopped Harbor in his tracks.
Murkula turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Harbor scores with a hook to the body. Murkula takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Harbor on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Harbor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Murkula misses with a straight right.
Harbor looks to land a combination but Murkula avoids it well.
Murkula avoids the body shot from Harbor.
Harbor uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Murkula has time to react.
Murkula misses with the combination.
Harbor digs a good hook to Murkula's body.
Jab from Murkula.
Harbor slips a straight right by Murkula.
Harbor on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Murkula. Murkula obviously looking to wear him down.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harbor lands a jab to Murkula's midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harbor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Murkula sprawls well. Murkula wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Harbor gets slowly back to his feet.
Murkula connects with an inside leg kick.
Murkula uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Harbor ducks under a wild hook from Murkula.
Harbor feints the counter takedown.
Murkula throws a jab when Harbor was well out of range.
Murkula throws a head kick that half lands.
Harbor blocks a head kick by Murkula.
Murkula 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.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula takes one on the button.
Murkula misses with a kick to the body.
A big left from Harbor misses.
Murkula misses with a wild combination.
Murkula gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Harbor takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Harbor loads up on a big right hand but Murkula slips the punch.
Harbor catches Murkula with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A decent looking cross lands there for Murkula.
Harbor on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Harbor scores with a body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murkula throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Murkula misses with a lunging right hand
so Harbor counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murkula is trying to hold Harbor in close to prevent damage but Harbor has managed to pass into half guard.
Murkula is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Harbor's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Harbor's back!
Harbor is trying to break free.
Harbor prevents Murkula from getting a body triangle.
Harbor is in bad spot here.
Harbor is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Murkula doesn't have the hooks in and Harbor manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Taisto Murkula clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on James Harbor's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Harbor fails to land with a series of punches.
Harbor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Murkula sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Murkula is looking to counter punch.
Murkula walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Harbor checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Murkula tries a head kick but it misses.
Murkula throws a head kick that misses.
Harbor drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Murkula defends it well.
Harbor connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Murkula momentarily.
Murkula attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Harbor getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Harbor checks a low kick from Murkula.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murkula moves out of range of the strikes.
Murkula is looking to clinch.
The crowd cheers as Murkula lands an impressive looking overhand right. Harbor doesn't seem phased though.
Good leg kick by Murkula there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nice uppercut lands for Harbor. That snapped Murkula's head back.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Harbor connects with a body shot that sends Murkula's belly button to the back.
Harbor moves out of range of the strikes.
Harbor moves out of range as Murkula strikes.
Harbor swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Murkula throws out a loose jab but Harbor uses good head movement to avoid it.
Harbor avoids the head kick by Murkula.
A punch lands to the side of Murkula 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Murkula.
Harbor smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Harbor moves out of range as Murkula strikes.
Murkula looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Murkula is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Harbor.
Harbor takes a swing at Murkula's ribcage but misses.
Harbor ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Harbor throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murkula slips a straight right by Harbor.
Murkula throws a right hand that misses
and Harbor counters with a straight right hand.
Harbor paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
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!
Harbor tests Murkula's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Harbor checks a leg kick.
Harbor moves forwards but Murkula connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Harbor dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A big right from Harbor misses.
Good exchange - Harbor coming out on top.
Murkula ducks under a wild hook from Harbor.
Murkula looks to land a left hand but Harbor moved out of range nicely.
Harbor with the counter takedown but Murkula avoids it easily.
Harbor ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Murkula jabbing away but nothing is landing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murkula tries a head kick but it misses.
Murkula misses with a kick to the body
and Harbor counters with a straight right hand.
Murkula pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Murkula jabs Harbor right on the nose. Harbor blinks but takes it well.
Murkula misses with a jab, cross combination.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Harbor connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Murkula momentarily.
Murkula misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Harbor connects with the punch.
Harbor misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Murkula.
Murkula thows a left - swing and a miss!
Harbor tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A jab from Harbor misses.
Harbor takes one to the chin there.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harbor checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Murkula misses with a looping left.
Harbor feints the counter takedown.
Harbor's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A head kick misses from Murkula.
Harbor tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Murkula swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Harbor feints the counter takedown.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harbor jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Murkula gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Harbor.
Harbor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Murkula misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A little jabbing left from Harbor on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Murkula throws a sloppy head kick and Harbor moves out of range easily.
Murkula moves in looking to clinch but Harbor pushes him off.
Harbor cracks Murkula with an open hand slap.
Harbor lands with a straight right. Murkula didn't see that one coming.
Harbor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
James Harbor dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on James Harbor's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Harbor feints a jab promting Murkula to slip. Harbor then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Murkula slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Harbor changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Murkula keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murkula cracks the inside of Harbor's front leg.
Murkula lands a nice leg kick that just misses Harbor's sensitive parts.
Harbor misses with a body shot.
A big right from Murkula misses.
Murkula misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harbor tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murkula was well out of range. Poor timing from Harbor.
Harbor misses with a looping right.
Good exchange - Murkula coming out on top.
Harbor punishes Murkula's body with a nice straight punch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Harbor connects with a body shot.
Harbor swinging wildly here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Harbor. Murkula does a little dance to reset his feet.
Harbor getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Murkula lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Harbor misses with a looping right.
Harbor takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Murkula scores with a jab. Harbor acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Murkula, right into the meat.
Harbor shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Murkula as he avoids it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Murkula.
Murkula misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harbor with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Harbor throws a looping overhand right but Murkula ducks down to avoid it.
Murkula needs to keep his hands up - Harbor had a free shot at his head there.
Harbor misses with a wild body shot.
Murkula fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice body punch from Harbor.
Murkula misses with an uppercut. Harbor saw that one coming.
A head kick misses from Murkula.
Murkula throws a lazy right hand but Harbor sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Harbor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Murkula.
Murkula takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Harbor moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harbor cracks Murkula with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Jab from Murkula.
Harbor throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Murkula stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Harbor tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Murkula was well out of range. Poor timing from Harbor.
Murkula throws a head kick but Harbor moves out of range.
Harbor throws the left hand but Murkula avoids the punch easily.
Harbor throws a shot from downtown. Murkula moves away and avoids it.
Murkula throws a quick counter head kick but Harbor was just out of range.
Harbor dips to his left and cracks Murkula with an uppercut!
Murkula lands a really nice looking cross but Harbor seems unphased.
A telegraphed right hand from Harbor misses the target.
Harbor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Murkula.
Harbor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Murkula.
Harbor with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Murkula to score with a decent uppercut.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harbor blocks a head kick by Murkula.
Harbor is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Murkula takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A jab from Murkula finds it's way through Harbor's defenses.
Murkula doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Harbor swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Murkula counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Harbor is rocked!
Murkula misses with the combination.
Harbor is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Harbor misses with a straight right.
Harbor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Murkula.
Murkula tried to counter with a leg kick but Harbor avoided it.
Harbor connects with a body shot that sends Murkula's belly button to the back.
Harbor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Murkula.
Murkula uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Harbor.
And that's the end of the fight!
James Harbor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Harbor has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 William Gold scores the fight 47:48
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 47:48
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by split decision... James Harbor!
James Harbor is the new middleweight champion!
A very excited looking James Harbor made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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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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