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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ichabod Crane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Finn Balor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Crane comes to the cage accompanied by Way of The Ninja. Balor has chosen Monster as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 165 cm
27
154 lbs
18 - 14 - 0 |
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172 cm
35
152 lbs
23 - 10 - 1 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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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 featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ichabod Crane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
23 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Finn Balor!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Jeff Smith and Micheangelo Fripello.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crane walks into a jab.
Crane throws a hook but Balor blocks it.
Balor looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Balor lands a high kick!
Balor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good exchange - Balor coming out on top.
Crane throws a jab but it's blocked by Balor.
Crane throws a body shot but no joy.
Crane misses with a straight right.
A jab from Crane misses.
Crane takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Balor just misses with a punch to the body.
Balor tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Crane is able to avoid easily.
Donk. Crane catches Balor right on the button with a cross.
Crane waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Balor.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Crane connects with a crisp jab.
Crane ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Balor moves away.
Balor raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Crane throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Crane just misses with a punch to the body.
Balor has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Balor there as he acknowledges the shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Crane throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balor misses with a head kick.
Balor throws a body kick that misses.
Crane checks the leg kick.
Crane throws a head kick that misses.
Balor feints a counter leg kick.
Balor throws a body punch but Crane moves out of range.
Balor jabs Crane to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Crane takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Good leg kick by Balor there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Balor throws a body shot but no joy.
Crane misses with a straight left.
Balor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
As Balor looks to move away, Crane throws a big counter combo but Balor just gets out of the way.
Nice defenses there by Crane.
Nice uppercut there from Crane.
It looks like Finn Balor has been cut.
A punch lands to the side of Crane 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balor scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ichabod Crane is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Crane bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Balor's head.
Sloppy strikes from Crane. Those never looked like landing.
Crane swats away the attempt to clinch by Balor.
Crane connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Crane missing with a left hand there. Balor was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The fighters circling - Balor throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Balor is looking to chop away at Crane's legs.
Crane on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Balor. Balor obviously looking to wear him down.
Balor connects with a body shot that sends Crane's belly button to the back.
Balor moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Balor throws a head kick but Crane moves out of range.
Crane ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Balor moves away.
Crane tests Balor's chin there with a solid looking shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balor looks to score with a jab to the body but Crane is just out of range.
Balor bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Crane is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Balor is controlling him well.
Balor working the ground and pound but Crane is defending the strikes.
Balor goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Crane rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Balor's guard! Nice work there by Crane!
Balor is looking for a triangle here but Crane uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Balor tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Crane wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Balor is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Crane wants to control but Balor is keeping him busy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crane decides to stand up, so the ref orders Balor to his feet.
Ichabod Crane seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Crane.
Crane misses with a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balor gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Crane.
Balor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Crane will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Balor up against the cage.
Balor drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Balor lands a shoulder strike.
Balor lands an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balor misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Finn Balor will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Finn Balor's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Crane throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ichabod Crane is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crane throws a right and a left that both miss.
Crane on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A head kick misses from Crane.
Crane throws a nice looking combination but Balor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Balor connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Crane waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Balor.
Crane lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Balor lands a lovely overhand right.
Balor goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Crane misses with a few strikes there.
Balor tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Crane looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Crane throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Balor.
Balor appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Crane throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Balor tests Crane's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Crane misses with a right hand
enabling Balor to counter with a crisp jab.
Crane throws a combination that misses
letting Balor counter with a right hand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Crane thows a leg kick but Balor checks it
and Balor counters with a series of strikes that sends Crane to the canvas! Balor follows down into guard, looking to finish the fight!
Crane is rocked!
Balor thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Oh Crane is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Balor throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Crane is looking to stand back up but Balor counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Crane.
Crane seems to have got his legs back now.
Balor thows a huge punch but Crane dodges it nicely.
Balor working Crane over with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balor wants to free his trapped foot but Crane is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Crane avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Balor.
Balor works his foot free and advances to mount.
Balor goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Crane turns into him and now he's in Balor's guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balor throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Balor working for a triangle but Crane defends it easily.
Balor wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balor is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Balor looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Crane has picked Balor up and slammed him! Balor can't keep hold of the triangle and Crane manages to pass to side control!
Crane stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Balor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Crane scoring well with a low kick there.
Crane takes a jab right on the kisser.
Balor moves into the clinch.
Balor tries to score a body lock takedown but Crane shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Our sources have told us that Crane has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Crane wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crane's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Balor misses with a wild body shot.
Balor misses with a wild body shot.
Balor has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Crane checks a leg kick nicely.
Balor throws a wild body kick that Crane sees coming a mile off.
Crane throws an off balance right hand
and Balor counters with an inside leg kick.
Crane misses with a jab, cross combination.
Balor lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Crane at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Crane misses with a series of wild punches.
Balor thuds a left hand into Crane's body.
Crane takes a swing at Balor's ribcage but misses.
Balor scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Crane misses with a straight left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Finn Balor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Finn Balor's cut.
That's time! Crane's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Balor showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Crane.
Balor misses with a kick to the body.
Crane takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Crane throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Crane scores with a decent looking hook.
Balor staying out of range there.
Crane rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Balor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Despite the aggression on Balor's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Balor scores with a nice head shot.
Nice body punch from Balor.
Balor slips a jab from Crane.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balor feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Cranes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Crane misses with a low kick.
Balor throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Crane on the side of the head.
Crane misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balor looking to score a takedown here. Crane is defending well but Balor drives through and ends up in Crane's guard.
The fighters are working up against the cage. Crane manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balor lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Crane pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Crane looks to throw the jab but Balor is out of range.
Crane bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Balor's head backwards.
A punch combination from Crane misses.
Some wild striking there from Crane.
Balor feints the counter takedown.
Crane throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Balor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
As Crane backs off Balor throws a huge counter combo but Crane manages to avoid it all.
Finn Balor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Balor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Crane.
Balor feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Cranes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Balor tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Crane swivels and escapes.
Balor with a nice cross.
Crane throws a jab but it's blocked by Balor.
Balor tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balor takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Balor shoots in and gets a takedown into Crane's guard.
Crane is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Balor presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Balor keeps control of Crane as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Balor tries for a takedown but Crane manages to get underhooks.
Crane blocks a body shot from Balor.
Balor tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Crane blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Crane's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Crane breaks the clinch.
Crane throws out a powerful jab.
Balor lands with a nice body punch.
Balor shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Crane has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Balor has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crane wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Crane misses with a body punch.
Balor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Balor misses with a punch to the body.
Balor cracks Crane with a nice body shot.
Balor has hold of one of Crane's legs. Crane is fighting the takedown attempt but Balor gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Balor wants to control from the top but Crane keeps moving.
Finn Balor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Balor stops Crane from standing up.
Ichabod Crane has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Balor engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Crane keeping full guard, as Balor tries to pass.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balor controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A telegraphed right hand from Crane misses the target.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ichabod Crane showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Balor 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Finn Balor!
A relieved looking Finn Balor thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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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
68% |
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