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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Solomon Kahn (ranked 897 p4p, 134 weight class) and Alexi Laiho (ranked 953 p4p, 145 weight class). Laiho comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Cold Sweat/ Thin Lizzy kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!
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| 188 cm
30
213 lbs
14 - 6 - 1 |
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190 cm
34
225 lbs
16 - 9 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
14 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Solomon Kahn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexi Laiho!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Saam Ante and Daniel Blasius.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kahn loads up on a big right hand but Laiho slips the punch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Laiho 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.
Laiho lands with an uppercut that bounces Kahn off the cage and back into range.
Laiho slips a straight right by Kahn.
A looping hook to the body misses from Laiho. Kahn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kahn is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Laiho.
Kahn stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Laiho slips a straight right by Kahn.
Kahn has been working on his boxing with his coaches at ~T~ Troid - Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Laiho looks to land a combination but Kahn avoids it well.
Laiho changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kahn tries to avoid it but Laiho manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kahn to the ground. Kahn escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Kahn as Laiho shoots in.
Laiho moves into range and clinches up with Kahn.
Kahn blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Laiho wants to break free but Kahn has control.
Laiho misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kahn throws a head punch that misses.
Laiho is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Kahn can't fight it off and eventually Laiho manages to take the fight to the floor. Kahn looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kahn is pulling down on Laiho's head. It's preventing any offense from Laiho, at least for the moment.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Laiho looking to pass the guard.
Laiho working some strikes from top position.
Kahn wants to stand but Laiho is controlling the position.
Laiho trying to control but Kahn is working from the bottom.
Kahn wants to sweep here but Laiho controlling him for the moment.
Laiho prevents Kahn from getting back to his feet.
Kahn is pulling down on Laiho's head to control his posture.
Kahn is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kahn content to control rather than advance.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laiho tries to get to full guard but Kahn has control of the leg.
Kahn takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kahn prevents Laiho from improving his position.
Laiho looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kahn is taking a breather. Laiho says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laiho is looking to control Kahn's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Laiho avoid being mounted?
Kahn perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kahn trying to mount his opponent but Laiho defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laiho looking for submissions off his back.
Kahn wants to get back to his feet.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kahn dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kahn fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Laiho has Kahn up against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Kahn fails to land.
Kahn tries a body shot but Laiho blocks it.
A nice left hand lands by Kahn.
Laiho can't find room to land a body shot as Kahn controls the action.
Laiho prevents a body shot from Kahn.
Kahn misses with a hook from the clinch.
Laiho can't find room to land a body shot as Kahn controls the action.
Still in the clinch, Kahn scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kahn working aggressively here.
Kahn misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Laiho can't break the clinch.
Laiho is trying to trip Kahn. He has hold of a leg but Kahn is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Laiho persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Laiho trying to control but Kahn is working from the bottom.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Kahn is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Solomon Kahn will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Laiho closes the distance and pushes Kahn back into the cage.
Kahn swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kahn prevents a body shot from Laiho.
Laiho pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Laiho breaks the clinch.
Laiho has a takedown stuffed.
Laiho fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A jab from Kahn misses.
Laiho wants to counter the offense by Kahn and move into the clinch position.
Laiho darts in and clinches Kahn up against the cage.
Kahn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kahn tries to throw a body punch but Laiho avoids it by throwing Kahn back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kahn stops a takedown attempt from Laiho.
Solomon Kahn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexi Laiho.
Kahn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Laiho backwards.
Laiho misses with a body punch.
Kahn throws a head punch that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Laiho.
Kahn blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kahn has a couple of punches blocked by Laiho.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Laiho wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kahn misses with a punch on the inside.
Laiho has Kahn pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kahn manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kahn working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Laiho is trying to maintain a safe position but Kahn gets an underhook and turns Laiho into the cage.
Solomon Kahn has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Laiho has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kahn after a bit of a struggle.
Laiho trying to land knees to the body.
A short left from Kahn.
With the fighters up against the cage, Laiho throws an elbow but misses.
Kahn throws a head punch that misses.
Kahn throws a head punch that misses.
Laiho can't break the clinch.
Laiho blocks an uppercut.
Laiho lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kahn is pressing down on Laiho's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kahn is looking to stand up but Laiho isn't so interested in that idea.
Kahn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Alexi Laiho has got the better of the ground game so far.
Laiho tries to free his leg and advance position but Kahn is retaining full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kahn wants to stand and escape but Laiho is having none of it.
Kahn is adopting a defensive guard.
Laiho trying to control but Kahn is working from the bottom.
Laiho won't allow Kahn to sweep him here.
Laiho trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Laiho wants to control from the top but Kahn keeps moving.
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!
Laiho throws a big elbow that misses.
Laiho won't allow Kahn to get back to his feet.
Laiho sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kahn keeping moving, preventing Laiho from controlling successfully.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Good shot there by Kahn.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laiho shoots in but no luck this time.
Solomon Kahn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kahn swings for the body but Laiho moves out of range.
Kahn misses the shot to the body.
And Laiho tries to counter it with a takedown but Kahn pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A jab from Kahn does it's job there.
Kahn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Laiho can do to turn this around?
Kahn takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kahn stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kahn wants it to stay on the feet.
Kahn uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Laiho.
Kahn throwing a counter right hand but Laiho manages to avoid it.
Laiho slips under a jab from Kahn.
Horrible takedown attempt by Laiho or perhaps it was just good defense by Kahn, which made it look bad.
Kahn moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Laiho is breathing heavily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Laiho. Kahn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kahn misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Laiho tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kahn misses with a jab, cross combination.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Kahn misses.
Laiho shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kahn sprawls well. Kahn wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Laiho gets slowly back to his feet.
Solomon Kahn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laiho avoids a punch combination nicely.
Laiho misses with a combination
and Kahn counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Laiho scores with a jab to the head.
Kahn looks to throw the jab but Laiho is out of range.
Laiho avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kahn lands with an overhand left.
Laiho throws a lazy right hand but Kahn sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kahn slaps away a takedown attempt from Laiho, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Solomon Kahn dominated that second 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Kahn lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Laiho at a distance.
Kahn misses with a body kick.
Laiho lands a jab to Kahn's midsection.
Kahn moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Laiho looking to score a takedown here. Kahn is defending well but Laiho drives through and ends up in Kahn's guard.
Kahn working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Laiho.
Kahn wants to get back to his feet but Laiho is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Laiho is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laiho won't allow Kahn to get back to his feet.
Laiho trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Laiho won't allow Kahn to sweep him here.
Laiho tries to free his leg and advance position but Kahn is retaining full guard.
Laiho is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kahn is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kahn has escaped and now he's on top!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kahn trying to stand up but can't free himself from Laiho's guard.
Kahn got a little sloppy there for a moment and Laiho has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kahn has managed to get both his arms back between Laiho's legs - danger averted.
Kahn tries to stand but Laiho is controlling from the bottom.
Laiho is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kahn wants to get up but he can't break Laiho's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Laiho wants to stand and escape but Kahn is having none of it.
Kahn stopping the sweep attempt from Laiho.
Kahn slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Laiho has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kahn lands a nice uppercut.
Kahn has a couple of punches blocked by Laiho.
Kahn misses with some punches.
Laiho lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kahn backwards.
Kahn working aggressively here.
Kahn tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kahn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Laiho lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kahn looks like he's trying to stand up.
Laiho working the head and body with strikes.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahn desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Laiho passes to side control.
Kahn is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Kahn parries the strikes from Laiho easily there. Laiho is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kahn to escape.
Laiho tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Laiho has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Laiho working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Laiho working the ground and pound but Kahn is defending the strikes.
Kahn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Solomon Kahn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Laiho wants to control but Kahn is keeping him busy.
Alexi Laiho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kahn is looking for a sweep.
Laiho misses with the ground and pound.
Laiho lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Laiho lands a few punches from side control.
Laiho working away.
Laiho is looking to take a break and control but Kahn is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kahn pushes Laiho away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Laiho gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The ground and pound from Laiho seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Laiho throws an elbow but Kahn slips to the side and avoids it well.
Laiho working the body and head with strikes.
Kahn struggling a bit here.
And that's the end of the fight!
Alexi Laiho comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kahn has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Solomon Kahn!
A relieved looking Solomon Kahn 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
44% |
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