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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Space (ranked 3688 p4p, 490 weight class) and Thiago Thiago (ranked 902 p4p, 140 weight class). Kevin Space had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business
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| 200 cm
24
212 lbs
9 - 6 - 0 |
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193 cm
25
215 lbs
9 - 4 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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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 light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kevin Space!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Thiago!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Space takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Thiago defending well as Space loads up on a big left hand.
Space clinches up against the cage.
Space trying to land knees to the body.
Space can't find room to land a body shot as Thiago controls the action.
Space has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Thiago is trying to keep an underhook but Space manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Space is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Well, if Space is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Space wants to control but Thiago is keeping him busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thiago makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Thiago.
Space has gone for a leg lock! Thiago slips out almost immediately though and dives into Space's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Space looking to control.
Space is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Space is pulling down on Thiago's head to control his posture.
Thiago pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Space is keeping the position for now.
Space bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thiago's guard.
Space is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Space has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Thiago looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Our spies down at at Tosen's Home for Lost Boys inform us that Thiago has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Space wants to control from the top but Thiago keeps moving.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Space won't allow Thiago to sweep him here.
Space drops back, looking for a kneebar! Thiago looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Thiago looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Thiago!
Space is looking for a sweep.
Space gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Thiago with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Space holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Space is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Thiago's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Thiago's back!
Thiago showing good submission defense here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thiago controlling Space 's hands.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Thiago defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Space's arms.
Thiago tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Space goes for an armbar but Thiago turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Thiago.
Space is trying to keep Thiago in close.
Space wants to hit a switch here but Thiago passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Space there!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Space is trying to escape the mount.
Space wants to control but Thiago is having none of it.
Space doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Space tries to get back to half guard but can't.
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 Kevin Space will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Space slips a jab and a cross from Thiago.
Thiago bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Space throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Thiago to counter with a crisp jab.
It looks like Kevin Space has been cut.
A big left from Space misses.
Space steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thiago.
No luck for Space with that takedown attempt.
Thiago was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Space shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Space is looking to advance position but Thiago won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thiago is looking to control Space's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Thiago avoid being mounted?
That's one minute gone in the round.
Space is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Thiago is just riding it out for now. Space eventually gives up the hold.
Space prevents Thiago from improving his position.
Space is stalling here. Thiago is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Space seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Thiago has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Space being controlled for a moment.
You can see the frustration on Space's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Space holds on to Thiago's head and controls the position momentarily.
Kevin Space overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
You can see the frustration on Space's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Thiago is staying tight to Space's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Who's going to make the next move?
Space is trying to improve his position.
Space manages to get back to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thiago trying to control the action but Space is working from the bottom.
Space keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Space manages to get to full guard.
Space is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Space has Thiago pulled in close to control his posture.
Space continues to stall.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Thiago is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Space jabs Thiago right on the nose. Thiago blinks but takes it well.
Space misses with a looping right.
Space throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Space gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Thiago counter with a right hand.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Space throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Thiago tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Space is in Thiago's guard.
Space slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Space is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Thiago is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Thiago has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Kevin Space will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kevin Space's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Thiago slaps away a takedown attempt from Space, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Space thows a leg kick but Thiago checks it
and Thiago counters with a nice body kick.
Space goes for a double leg but Thiago avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Thiago continues to drive forward.
Thiago displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Space throws out the jab.
Thiago works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Space misses with a hook
and Thiago cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Space closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Thiago is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Space is pressing down on Thiago's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thiago is holding on for now.
Thiago is defending against the submission attempts here by Space.
Space working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Thiago's thigh. Thiago counters though and makes it back to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Thiago holds on and takes a little breather.
Space trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Space not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Space wants to control from the top but Thiago keeps moving.
Space is looking to pass into half guard but Thiago pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Thiago is in guard.
Space looking to control.
Thiago Thiago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Space is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Thiago is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Thiago controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Space is trying to keep Thiago in close.
Thiago is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Thiago stopping the sweep attempt from Space.
Space wants to hit a switch here but Thiago passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Space there!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Space is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kevin Space is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Poor strikes thrown by Thiago there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Space tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Space tries to lock up and control but Thiago gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Thiago sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Thiago is looking to work his way around to Space's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Space tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Thiago is trying to take his opponent's back.
Space is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Space has given up his back.
Space trying to control the hands but Thiago won't let him.
Space is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Space just trying to survive but Thiago is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thiago keeps control of the position easily here as Space tries to buck him off.
You can see the frustration on Space's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Thiago comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Space 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kevin Space!
Kevin Space decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
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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
32% |
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