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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rokki Kukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simon Strange (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!
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| 176 cm
30
171 lbs
23 - 12 - 2 |
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175 cm
29
187 lbs
20 - 11 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
23 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rokki Kukko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Simon Strange!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strange misses with an uppercut. Kukko saw that one coming.
Nice shot lands for Strange.
Strange swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Strange scores with a nice head shot.
Kukko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Strange throws a series of punches but Kukko avoids them all with ease.
Strange looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Strange turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've been hearing reports that Kukko has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Strange. Kukko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Strange 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.
Kukko connects with an inside leg kick.
Donk. Strange catches Kukko right on the button with a cross.
Strange gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Our spies down at at Mello MMA inform us that Strange has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strange is looking for a triangle but Kukko pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Strange looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukko throwing strikes from guard but Strange blocks nicely.
Strange lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Strange looking to pass the guard.
Kukko keeping moving, preventing Strange from controlling successfully.
Strange won't allow Kukko to sweep him here.
Kukko is trying to keep Strange in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Strange working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kukko seems keen to control Strange's posture.
Kukko is trying to control the position from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strange drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Strange jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kukko looking to control.
Strange stopping the sweep attempt from Kukko.
Strange scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Strange passes Kukko's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kukko is defending against the submission attempts here by Strange.
Strange takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Strange is keen to just control but Kukko is a slippery customer.
Kukko is trying to maintain the position but Strange is very close to passing his half guard.
Kukko has hold of Strange's hands but Strange slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strange is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kukko is just riding it out for now. Strange eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strange is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kukko sees it coming and defends easily.
Strange sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kukko defending well though.
Kukko is defending against the submission attempts here by Strange.
Strange throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Strange missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kukko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kukko is pressing down on Strange's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Strange throws a big right hand that misses.
Kukko working a defensive guard here.
Strange pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kukko is keeping the position for now.
Strange stops Kukko from standing up.
Strange looking to pass the guard.
Kukko wants to sweep here but Strange controlling him for the moment.
Strange postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Strange distracts Kukko with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Strange in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Strange wants to pass the guard but Kukko is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Simon Strange dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Strange shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kukko is trying to maintain the position but Strange is very close to passing his half guard.
Kukko has his hands clasped together around Strange's back. He's all about the action.
Strange drops an elbow to the side of Kukko's head.
Kukko wants to control but Strange is keeping busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kukko is trying to get back to full guard.
Strange missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Strange is trying to control. Kukko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukko is looking to control Strange's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kukko avoid being mounted?
Strange seems to be looking for submissions.
Strange thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kukko's head.
Kukko is doing well to control the position and prevent Strange from advancing to side control.
Kukko wants to control but Strange is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kukko is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Strange is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Strange is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kukko defends it well.
Kukko wants to get back to full guard.
Kukko regains full guard. Nicely done.
Strange has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Strange drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Strange jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
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.
Strange looking to pass the guard.
Kukko pulls Strange in close to his closed guard and prevents Strange from doing any damage or advancing position.
Strange tries to free his leg and advance position but Kukko is retaining full guard.
Kukko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Strange trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kukko wants to sweep but no luck.
Kukko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kukko fails to land with a series of punches.
Strange moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Strange scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Strange connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kukko. Kukko circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strange misses with the combination.
Kukko is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kukko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kukko wants it to stay on the feet.
Simon Strange seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Strange misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kukko.
Strange throws a body punch but Kukko moves out of range.
That kick from Kukko tenderised Strange's leg. Strange is trying to keep his angry face on.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kukko or perhaps it was just good defense by Strange, which made it look bad.
Strange tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Strange tries to work over Kukko's front leg with a kick but Kukko checks it.
Strange feints and then cracks Kukko's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kukko down.
Kukko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kukko swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Strange lands with a straight right. Kukko didn't see that one coming.
Strange looks to score with a jab to the body but Kukko is just out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Strange as Kukko shoots in.
Strange changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Strange displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kukko.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rokki Kukko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukko fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Strange throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Strange tries to work over Kukko's front leg with a kick but Kukko checks it.
Kukko on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Strange misses with a wild body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kukko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kukko fails with a takedown attempt.
Strange misses with a two punch combination.
Kukko shoots in looking for a takedown. Strange tries to sprawl out of it but Kukko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Strange manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Strange scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Simon Strange showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!
Strange punishes Kukko's body with a nice straight punch.
Strange on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kukko throws a body shot but no joy.
Kukko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kukko misses with a looping left.
Strange throws a right and a left that both miss.
Strange throws a hook to the side of Kukko's head but Kukko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Strange stuns Kukko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kukko throws a lazy body kick
and Strange counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kukko wants to improve his position but Strange is controlling well.
Strange not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kukko is controlling Strange's trapped leg to prevent Strange from advancing to side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strange thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kukko's head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukko wants to get back to full guard.
Strange is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kukko is just riding it out for now. Strange eventually gives up the hold.
Kukko trying to control but Strange postures up.
Strange trying to mount his opponent but Kukko defends it.
Kukko tries to roll over but Strange keeps him under control.
Strange working the head and body with strikes.
Strange is trying to control the action in half guard but Kukko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kukko has his hands clasped together around Strange's back. He's all about the action.
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.
Strange looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Strange throwing shots but Kukko is blocking nicely.
Strange lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Strange missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kukko wants to control but Strange is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Strange moves into full mount! Kukko won't be happy about that!
Kukko is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kukko is in a horrible position here. Strange smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Strange looking to control but Kukko is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Strange cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strange trying to control but Kukko is having none of it.
Strange lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Strange raining down hammerfists from mount.
Kukko is trying to stand.
BOOM! Strange connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Kukko holds of for dear life.
Strange working for a submission but Kukko is keeping him at bay.
Strange has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kukko holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Strange tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Strange scores with a couple of good head shots there.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strange trying to control but Kukko is having none of it.
Strange looking to control and managing it successfully.
Kukko blocking the ground and pound.
Simon Strange has got the better of the ground game so far.
Strange with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Kukko tries to hold on but Strange pushes him away.
Rokki Kukko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kukko is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Strange lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Strange in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
And that's the end of the fight!
Simon Strange comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Strange has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon Strange!
An out of breath Simon Strange thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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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
41% |
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