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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ray Malenko (ranked 150 p4p, 19 weight class) and Katu Partio (ranked 108 p4p, 16 weight class). Partio is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Sininen sunnuntai. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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182 cm
34
164 lbs
28 - 13 - 0 |
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185 cm
30
160 lbs
17 - 9 - 0 |
Great wrestler
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 lightweight division. Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of
28 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Ray Malenko! And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Katu Partio! The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Partio throws a right and a left that both miss. Partio has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Malenko is landing a low percentage of strikes. Partio throws out a leg kick but Malenko moves out of range and Partio only half commits. Malenko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Partio as he jumps to the side. Partio lands with a kick to the temple. Malenko shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?" Partio scoring well with a low kick there.
Partio throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land. Partio keeps Malenko at a distance using the push kick. Partio avoids the body shot from Malenko.
A jab from Partio does it's job there. Malenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Partio swings for the body but Malenko moves out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Partio. Partio staying out of range there. Despite the aggression on Partio's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter. Malenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Partio chopping away at his opponent's legs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Malenko connects with a body shot. Malenko checks a low kick from Partio. Partio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Malenko is looking to wear down Partio with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
That's one minute gone in the round. Partio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle. Partio throws the left hand but Malenko avoids the punch easily. Partio on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot. Partio slips under a jab from Malenko. Partio throws a body punch but Malenko moves out of range. Malenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Partio is just out of range. A head kick misses from Partio. Malenko misses the body punch and Partio counters with a flying knee. Nice. Malenko throws a body shot but no joy. Katu Partio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs. Partio pushes Malenko away with a front kick. Malenko throws a body punch but Partio moves out of range. A punch combination from Malenko misses. Partio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Malenko.
Malenko takes a swing at Partio's ribcage but misses. Partio throws a hook but Malenko blocks it. Malenko lands a lovely overhand right. 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! Partio goes for a spinning back kick but it misses. Malenko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Partio counters with a thumping low kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Partio fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Malenko checks it well. A counter left hand to the body from Malenko misses its target. Partio jabs Malenko right on the nose. Malenko blinks but takes it well. Partio shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down. Partio tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Malenko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat. Partio ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent. Partio lands with a thumping leg kick.
Partio staying out of range there. A little jabbing left from Partio on the counter but it doesn't find it's target. Partio buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Malenko throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd. Malenko throws a hook but Partio blocks it. Malenko blocks a low kick nicely. Malenko avoids a low kick by using good footwork. Malenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Partio is just out of range. Partio throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Malenko sees it coming and avoids it easily. Partio throws a leg kick and Malenko counters with a nice body shot. Katu Partio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. Partio throws a low kick but it's checked well by Malenko. A nice inside leg kick there by Partio. That's going to slow Malenko down. Malenko misses with a wild body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Partio lands a nice hook to Malenko's body. Malenko takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes. Malenko dips down and scores with a jab to the body. Partio lands a head kick. Malenko smiles back at him and beckons him forward. Partio misses with a head kick.
Malenko swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect. Partio turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick. Partio missing with a left hand there. Malenko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one. Malenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Partio moves away. Partio throws a leg kick which misses Malenko's front leg but catches the back leg as Malenko tries to avoid it. Partio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
That kick from Partio tenderised Malenko's leg. Malenko is trying to keep his angry face on. Malenko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Partio. Partio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Malenko.
Partio swings for the body but Malenko moves out of range.
Partio throws a nice head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Malenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Partio manages to avoid it. Partio is clearly looking to counter with head kicks. Partio pushes Malenko away with a front kick. Malenko slips a jab and a cross from Partio.
Malenko was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit. Malenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Partio manages to avoid it.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Malenko scores with a sloppy right hand. Partio should have avoided that one. Partio throws out a loose jab but Malenko uses good head movement to avoid it. A looping hook to the body misses from Malenko. Partio does a little dance to reset his feet. Partio throws a nice inside leg kick. Malenko cracks a nice hook into Partio's ribs. Partio scores with a nice strike. Partio throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
It looked like Malenko wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit. Malenko throws a looping overhand right but Partio ducks down to avoid it. Malenko throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Partio was covering up waiting for the punch and Malenko finishes the takedown easily into guard. Partio has momentary wrist control but Malenko slips an elbow through the middle. The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end. Partio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Malenko has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission. Malenko trying to control but Partio is working from the bottom. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Katu Partio dominated that round. OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Partio lands a body shot.
Malenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Partio scores with a punch to the head. A clash of legs there as Malenko blocks the low kick. Partio uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Malenko has time to react. Partio throws a leg kick but Malenko moved away. A punch combination from Partio misses. Partio has been the more effective fighter overall so far. Malenko walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush. The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky. Partio thumps Malenko with a low kick. That kick from Partio tenderised Malenko's leg. Malenko is trying to keep his angry face on. An inside leg kick lands from Partio. Partio tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion. Partio throws a jab when Malenko was well out of range. Malenko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Malenko throws a body punch but Partio moves out of range. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Malenko misses with a looping right. Partio connects with an inside leg kick. Partio throws a leg kick that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round. Partio throws a looping overhand right but Malenko ducks down to avoid it. Malenko swings for the body but Partio moves out of range.
Partio staying out of range there. Partio displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Malenko throws out the jab. Partio looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Partio throws out a powerful jab. Partio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Partio only half commits to the counter leg kick. Malenko blocks a jab. Malenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Partio.
A looping hook to the body misses from Malenko. Partio does a little dance to reset his feet. Malenko checks a leg kick. Partio tries a low kick but Malenko avoids it. Partio connects with an inside leg kick. Partio throws a right hand that Malenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Malenko also avoids with ease. Malenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Partio is just out of range. Malenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Partio. Partio obviously looking to wear him down.
Partio misses with a wild body shot. Malenko misses with a hook. Partio ducked under it nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Partio throws a head kick that misses. Partio scores with a slapping inside leg kick. This has been an exciting period of action! Partio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Malenko.
Partio was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind. Malenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body punch from Partio. Malenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Partio.
Partio throws a nice head kick!
A solid leg kick lands there for Partio.
Partio throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Malenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Partio manages to avoid it. Malenko misses with a body shot.
Malenko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight. Partio is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Malenko. Malenko misses with a wild body shot. Partio lands with a thumping leg kick.
Partio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Partio feints and then cracks Malenko's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Malenko down. Malenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Partio. Partio obviously looking to wear him down.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Partio bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Malenko's head. Partio waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Malenko. Malenko takes a swing at Partio's ribcage but misses. Malenko misses the shot to the body. Partio connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Malenko's hands. Partio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Malenko misses the jab. Malenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Partio. Partio obviously looking to wear him down.
Partio punishes Malenko's body with a nice straight punch. Malenko misses the jab. Partio throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Malenko sees it coming and avoids it easily. Partio scores with a slapping inside leg kick. Katu Partio seems to be getting the better of the standup. Malenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Partio was well out of range. Poor timing from Malenko. Malenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Partio.
Malenko throws a body punch but Partio moves out of range. Partio is looking to take this fight into the clinch. Partio throws a leg kick which misses Malenko's front leg but catches the back leg as Malenko tries to avoid it.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Partio tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Malenko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat. Malenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Partio.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Partio moves into range and lands a nice leg kick. An inside leg kick lands from Partio. A solid body kick from Partio. Malenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Partio's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Malenko connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Partio scrambles back to his feet.
It looks like Katu Partio has been cut. Partio misses with a looping right. An inside leg kick from Partio misses. Partio on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot. Partio misses with a body punch
and Malenko counters with a right hand to the body. Malenko scores with a hook. Partio is looking to take this fight into the clinch. The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end. A telegraphed right hand from Malenko misses the target. Malenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Partio. It seemed like Partio was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Katu Partio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards. The cut man is working on Katu Partio's cut. The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Partio uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Malenko. Malenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Partio appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick. Malenko shoots in but no luck this time. Malenko takes a swing at Partio's ribcage but misses. Partio is looking to score with low kicks. Malenko misses with a hook. Malenko swings for the body but Partio moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Partio misses the target. Malenko throws a big shot that misses. Partio throws a leg kick and Malenko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button. No joy there for Malenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Malenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Partio manages to avoid it. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Malenko swings widly with a right hand
and Partio counters with a good, hard body kick but Malenko shrugs it off. Partio throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Malenko on the side of the head. Malenko will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body. Malenko misses with an uppercut. Partio scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard. Partio rushes Malenko and presses him up against the cage. The crowd are loving this. Great action here. Malenko lands an uppercut.
That's one minute gone in the round. Malenko is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath. Still in the clinch, Partio scores with a nice short uppercut. Partio throws a punch but it's blocked by Malenko. Partio swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Malenko misses with a body punch.
Partio breaks the clinch.
Malenko swings for the body but Partio moves out of range.
Partio fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Malenko has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage. Partio connects with an inside leg kick. Partio scores with a body shot.
Partio throws a low kick but Malenko avoids it. Malenko jabbing away but nothing is landing. Malenko scores with a hook to the body. Partio takes a step back and tries to catch his breath. Partio connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Malenko momentarily.
Malenko takes a swing at Partio's ribcage but misses. Partio looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it. Partio pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Malenko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Partio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Malenko.
Danga de danga de dang - Malenko scores with a four punch combination! 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! Partio with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Partio connects with a single shot there. An inside leg kick from Partio misses. Partio throws a shot from downtown. Malenko moves away and avoids it. Malenko lands a slapping body shot.
Partio throws a right hand that misses
and Malenko makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range. Partio misses with a looping left. A looping hook to the body misses from Malenko. Partio does a little dance to reset his feet. Partio lands with a cross. Partio lands a glancing blow to the side of Malenko's head. Malenko takes one to the side of the head.
Partio misses with a leg kick. Malenko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Malenko lands with a good body shot. Partio buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Malenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Partio moves away. Partio buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Malenko throws a looping overhand right but Partio ducks down to avoid it. That kick from Partio tenderised Malenko's leg. Malenko is trying to keep his angry face on. Partio throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Malenko. Partio tries to clinch but Malenko moves out of range. Partio avoids the body shot from Malenko.
A good leg kick by Partio. Partio motions for Malenko to come forward. Partio throws a leg kick but it misses it's target. Partio looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it. Malenko scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard. A good leg kick by Partio. Malenko bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control. Partio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired. Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Malenko is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Partio has escaped the position, nice work there. Ray Malenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's four minutes gone in the round. Malenko in side control lands a decent elbow. Partio is looking for a sweep. Malenko connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Partio some visible discomfort.
Partio takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head. Malenko scoring with punches and elbows. Malenko cracks Partio with a big right hand but Partio just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Partio tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that's the end of the fight! That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ray Malenko. I think Partio 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29 Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30 Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katu Partio! Katu Partio decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.
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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
78% |
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