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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ice Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antti Karhu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karhu has chosen Samuli Edelmann - Teit meistä kauniin as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 172 cm
35
136 lbs
28 - 5 - 1 |
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176 cm
30
138 lbs
24 - 10 - 1 |
Good wrestling
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 bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
28 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ice Drago!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
24 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Antti Karhu!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karhu lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Karhu has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Karhu stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Drago 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.
Antti Karhu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karhu loads up on a big right hand but Drago slips the punch.
As Karhu looks to move away, Drago throws a big counter combo but Karhu just gets out of the way.
Karhu shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Karhu throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Drago to regain full guard.
Karhu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Karhu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Drago working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Karhu.
Karhu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Karhu passes Drago's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Drago wants to improve his position but Karhu is controlling well.
Karhu lands strikes from half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhu trying to mount his opponent but Drago defends it.
Drago is pressing down on Karhu's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Karhu works over Drago with some ground and pound from guard.
Karhu throwing strikes but missing.
Drago working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Karhu.
Drago looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Karhu wants to pass the guard but Drago is keeping the position.
Drago wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
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.
Drago wants to sweep but no luck.
Karhu throws a big right hand that misses.
Karhu lands a couple of elbows.
Karhu looking to pass the guard.
Drago avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Karhu is working Drago over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Drago is controlling Karhu's posture.
Karhu postures up in Drago's guard and throws a big left but Drago blocks it.
Karhu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Drago works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Karhu postures up and lands a big shot to Drago's brow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karhu lands a couple of elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Karhu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Karhu throws a big elbow that misses.
Karhu throws a big right hand that misses.
Karhu lands a couple of elbows.
Karhu throws a big right hand that misses.
Karhu is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Karhu scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Karhu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Drago works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Karhu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Karhu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Karhu stands up over Drago, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karhu throws a strike but Drago rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drago controls from within his opponent's guard.
Karhu looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Drago puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Karhu looking for submissions off his back.
Drago keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Karhu is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Karhu is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Drago's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Drago's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Antti Karhu dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Drago throws a hook but Karhu blocks it.
Karhu walks into a left hand.
Good exchange - Karhu coming out on top.
Karhu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Drago is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Drago. That's going to slow Karhu down.
Drago looks to land a right hand but Karhu moved out of range.
Karhu fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Drago on the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Karhu.
Drago misses with a body shot.
Drago tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Karhu counters with a good low kick that Drago was not able to check.
Karhu cracks Drago with a good jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab by Karhu.
Karhu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago missing with a left hand there. Karhu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Drago misses with a low kick.
Karhu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ice Drago is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Karhu scores with a sloppy right hand. Drago should have avoided that one.
Drago throws a body kick that misses
and Karhu counters with a nice low kick that buckles Drago's knee momentarily.
Antti Karhu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Karhu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Karhu shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Karhu was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Sloppy strikes there by Karhu.
Karhu working the ground and pound.
Karhu is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Drago has escaped the position, nice work there.
Drago takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karhu cracks Drago with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Drago can't do much from the bottom here.
Karhu is trying to ground and pound but Drago uses the momentary lack of control by Karhu to regain half guard.
Karhu throws a strike but Drago avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Karhu stands up over Drago, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Karhu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Karhu slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The ground and pound from Karhu seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago regains half guard, as Karhu was trying to land strikes.
Karhu seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Drago is looking to improve his position.
Drago makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Drago.
Antti Karhu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Karhu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Karhu postures up and lands a big shot to Drago's brow.
Drago wants to sweep but no luck.
Karhu landing with the ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drago preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Karhu forces his way into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Karhu connects with a nice short shot to Drago's temple.
Karhu is nestled in close to Drago, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Drago blocking the ground and pound attempt from Karhu.
Drago keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Drago blocking the ground and pound attempt from Karhu.
Karhu throws a strike but Drago avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Karhu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Karhu throws an elbow that misses. Drago uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Karhu's guard. Nice move by Drago!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Antti Karhu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Karhu misses with a body kick.
Drago looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Drago throws a leg kick which misses Karhu's front leg but catches the back leg as Karhu tries to avoid it.
Drago misses with a wild body shot.
Karhu tries a low kick but Drago avoids it.
As Karhu tries to get set, Drago tries to push him back and clinch up but Karhu manages to avoid the attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Karhu.
Karhu feints and then cracks Drago's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Drago down.
Karhu throws a poor cross that misses
and Drago counters with a leg kick.
Karhu connects with a nice looking jab.
Karhu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Karhu scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karhu connects with a crisp jab.
Karhu misses with a body kick.
Karhu throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Drago was covering up waiting for the punch and Karhu finishes the takedown easily into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Karhu is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Drago swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Karhu chips away with some ground and pound.
Drago pushes Karhu off and scrambles back to his feet.
Karhu connects with a looping right hand.
Drago has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Karhu finds it's way round the side to connect with Drago's head.
Karhu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Drago. That did some damage!
Karhu throws a body punch but Drago moves out of range.
Karhu looking to score a takedown here. Drago is defending well but Karhu drives through and ends up in Drago's guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karhu is looking to work some ground and pound but Drago has wrist control.
Karhu landing some decent shots from guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karhu is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Drago avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Karhu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Drago is trying to control the position but Karhu postures up.
Drago is controlling Karhu's posture.
Karhu throws a big right hand that misses.
Karhu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Drago looking to hit a scissor sweep but Karhu is one step ahead there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karhu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Karhu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Drago working a defensive guard here.
Karhu landing some decent shots from guard.
Karhu lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Drago wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Karhu lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drago controls Karhu momentarily but Karhu frees himself.
Drago is really struggling to control Karhu but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Karhu throws an elbow that misses. Drago uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Karhu's guard. Nice move by Drago!
Karhu looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Karhu is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Drago makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Drago.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Antti Karhu really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
The crowd cheers as Karhu lands an impressive looking overhand right. Drago doesn't seem phased though.
Drago throws a head kick that misses.
Karhu lands a jab to the head.
Karhu throws a hook but Drago blocks it.
Karhu lands with a right hand.
Karhu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Drago.
Nice shot by Karhu.
Drago throws a leg kick but Karhu sees it coming and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Drago.
Karhu misses with a wild body shot.
Karhu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drago was well out of range. Poor timing from Karhu.
Drago is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Karhu.
Drago tries to bum rush Karhu with a series of wild strikes but Karhu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Karhu appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Karhu cracks Drago with a right hand to the side of the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhu takes a swing at Drago's ribcage but misses.
Drago throws a quick counter kick to the body but Karhu avoids it.
Karhu paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
The fighters circling - Drago throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Drago seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Drago tries to move into range but Karhu moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Karhu slips a straight right by Drago.
Nice defenses there by Drago.
Karhu thuds his right hand into Drago's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Karhu cracks Drago with a good jab.
Drago on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A nice leg kick lands there from Drago.
A slapping leg kick lands for Karhu.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Karhu, as that shot connected.
Jab from Karhu.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Drago misses with an uppercut. Karhu saw that one coming.
Drago looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Drago has managed to clinch.
Drago misses with a punch on the inside.
Karhu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Karhu throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Drago on the side of the head.
Drago scores with a jab.
Drago looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Karhu shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Drago eats them both and turns towards Karhu to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Drago buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Drago with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A bone on bone clash there as Karhu blocks the leg kick.
Karhu lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Karhu scores with a hook to the body. Drago takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago wants to land a leg kick but Karhu is out of range.
Karhu lands a jab to the head.
Karhu slips under a jab.
Karhu lunges at Drago with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Drago's hand.
Karhu tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Drago is able to avoid easily.
Drago fires out a quick counter leg kick but Karhu just manages to avoid it.
Karhu feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Dragos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Karhu uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Drago walks into a left hand.
Karhu connects with a crisp jab.
Karhu darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Drago manages to get to full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karhu works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Drago makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Drago.
Karhu is looking to pass into half guard but Drago pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Drago is in guard.
Karhu throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Drago escapes and throws Karhu's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Karhu tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Drago wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Antti Karhu dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Drago's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Karhu fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Karhu lands a head shot.
Drago lands a head kick. Karhu smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Karhu swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Drago.
Karhu fakes the leg kick and cracks Drago in the body.
Karhu lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Karhu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drago was well out of range. Poor timing from Karhu.
Karhu blocks the body kick.
Drago wants to clinch up but Karhu keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karhu misses the jab.
As Karhu backs away, Drago returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Karhu misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Drago throws a nice outside leg kick.
Karhu fails with a takedown attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Karhu is able to avoid easily.
Karhu lands a nice looking body shot.
Drago on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Karhu misses with a head kick.
Drago tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Karhu manages to circle out of the way.
A head kick misses from Drago.
Karhu throws a jab when Drago was well out of range.
Drago ducks under a wild hook from Karhu.
Drago has closed the distance and engaged Karhu in a clinch.
Karhu gets control of Drago's arms and successfully pulls guard. Karhu will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Karhu is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Drago controls from within his opponent's guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karhu has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Drago can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Karhu looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Drago has picked Karhu up and slammed him! Karhu can't keep hold of the triangle and Drago manages to pass to side control!
Karhu is trying to get back to half guard.
Ice Drago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Drago advances to mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago prevents Karhu from getting the reversal.
Drago throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Karhu regains half guard.
Karhu wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Karhu manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Karhu keeping moving, preventing Drago from controlling successfully.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karhu bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Drago's guard.
Drago looking to hit a scissor sweep but Karhu is one step ahead there.
Drago is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Karhu throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Karhu is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Karhu content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that's the end of the fight!
Antti Karhu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Karhu winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 45:50
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:50
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 45:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Karhu!
Antti Karhu is the new bantamweight champion!
Antti Karhu bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love 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
53% |
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