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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Malik El Shabazz (ranked 1522 p4p, 199 weight class) and Steven Steele (ranked 1780 p4p, 234 weight class). Steele has chosen Bloody Sunday as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!
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| 185 cm
20
190 lbs
5 - 0 - 0 |
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184 cm
26
197 lbs
4 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Great elbows
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Malik El Shabazz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steven Steele!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Robert Douchet and Alec Ball.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
El Shabazz thows a body kick. Steele tries to catch it but that hurt him.
El Shabazz lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Steele fails with an attempt to clinch.
Steele tries for a takedown but El Shabazz circles away easily
and El Shabazz counters with a body kick that stops Steele in his tracks momentarily.
Steele tries to clinch but fails miserably
and El Shabazz counters with a stiff right hand.
Steele's hands are dropping dangerously low here and El Shabazz connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Steele scrambles back to his feet.
Steele looks to throw a body kick
and Steele takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Steele moves in looking to clinch but El Shabazz pushes him off.
We've been told by El Shabazz's head coaches at Q Club that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
El Shabazz scores with a push kick.
A head kick misses from El Shabazz.
Steele is looking to clinch but El Shabazz is avoiding it.
Steele tries to close the distance and clinch but El Shabazz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Steele stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from El Shabazz.
Steele looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Steven Steele seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steele moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
El Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
El Shabazz avoids the elbow strike from Steele, against the cage.
El Shabazz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Steele moves out of range of the body kick.
El Shabazz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Malik El Shabazz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That kick from El Shabazz tenderised Steele's leg. Steele is trying to keep his angry face on.
Steele has El Shabazz up against the cage in a clinch.
Steele pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Steele pushes off an throws an elbow but El Shabazz leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Steele throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Steele throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
El Shabazz tries to circle away but Steele has him pinned against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Steele just misses with a elbow thrown towards El Shabazz's brow.
Steele looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Steele is looking for a takedown up against the cage. El Shabazz gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
El Shabazz stalls.
Steele keeps control of El Shabazz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
El Shabazz avoids a wild elbow strike from Steele.
El Shabazz stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
El Shabazz blocks the elbow strike.
Steele throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Steele looks to throw an elbow but misses.
El Shabazz misses with a knee to the head.
El Shabazz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
El Shabazz blocks the elbow strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Steele keeps the fight in the clinch, despite El Shabazz's efforts to push away.
Steele wants a takedown but no success here.
Malik El Shabazz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steven Steele.
El Shabazz blocks an elbow strike from Steele.
El Shabazz blocks an elbow strike.
El Shabazz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
El Shabazz scores with a nice head shot.
El Shabazz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Steele tries to clinch but El Shabazz is having none of it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele wants to clinch.
A quick step to the side and El Shabazz tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Steele moves into the clinch successfully.
El Shabazz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
El Shabazz lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
El Shabazz cracks a nice hook into Steele's ribs.
Steele tries to clinch up.
A little feinted left hand from El Shabazz on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Steele tries to close the distance and clinch up but El Shabazz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
El Shabazz circles away from the clinch attempt.
El Shabazz lands a head kick. Steele smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Steele takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Steele fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
El Shabazz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
El Shabazz missing with a left hand there. Steele was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A right-left combo lands from El Shabazz.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
El Shabazz scores with a punch to the head.
El Shabazz keeps the fight on the outside.
Steele shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts El Shabazz as he jumps to the side.
A decent looking cross lands there for El Shabazz.
Steele tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. El Shabazz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
El Shabazz was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Malik El Shabazz 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.
A chopping leg kick lands by El Shabazz.
El Shabazz swats away the attempt to clinch by Steele.
El Shabazz tried to counter with a leg kick but Steele avoided it.
El Shabazz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Steele was well out of range. Poor timing from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Steele takes the fight into the clinch.
El Shabazz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
El Shabazz blocks an elbow strike.
Steele misses with an elbow strike.
El Shabazz takes an elbow to the forehead.
It looks like Malik El Shabazz has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Steele pushes off an throws an elbow but El Shabazz leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
El Shabazz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steele can do to turn this around?
Steele misses with an elbow over the top.
El Shabazz connects with a knee to the head.
Steele creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Steele pushes off an throws an elbow but El Shabazz leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
El Shabazz tries a knee to the head but Steele blocks it.
El Shabazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Steele blocks it with crossed arms.
That's one minute gone in the round.
El Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Steele takes a knee right on the jaw!
Steele has El Shabazz pressed against the cage, preventing El Shabazz from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
El Shabazz is trying to break the clinch but Steele is controlling him.
El Shabazz throws a knee to the head but misses.
El Shabazz landing knees to the head.
El Shabazz blocks an elbow strike.
Steele pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
El Shabazz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
El Shabazz lands a nice leg kick that just misses Steele's sensitive parts.
Steele tries to clinch up.
Steele tries to clinch but El Shabazz moves out of range.
It looked like El Shabazz wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
El Shabazz thumps Steele with a low kick.
El Shabazz throws a head kick that half lands.
Steele clinches up with El Shabazz and pushes him back against the cage.
Steven Steele seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Steele throws an elbow but it misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but Steele blocks with his arms.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steele misses with a short punch on the inside.
El Shabazz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Steele throws an elbow but it misses.
El Shabazz blocks the elbow strike.
A knee to the head by El Shabazz.
Steele takes a knee right on the jaw!
El Shabazz tries a knee to the head but Steele blocks it.
Steele looks to throw an elbow but misses.
El Shabazz blocks the elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Steele throws an elbow but misses.
El Shabazz tries to break free but Steele pushes him back against the cage.
El Shabazz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
El Shabazz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
El Shabazz jabs at Steele's body.
El Shabazz pushes Steele away with a front kick.
Steele goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steele is looking to clinch.
Steele moves to clinch but El Shabazz breaks away
and El Shabazz counters with a slapping leg kick.
El Shabazz throws a head kick but Steele moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by El Shabazz.
El Shabazz explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
El Shabazz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
El Shabazz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Steele moves into range and clinches up with El Shabazz.
El Shabazz avoids the elbow strike from Steele, against the cage.
Steele pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
El Shabazz blocks the elbow strike.
El Shabazz avoids a wild elbow strike from Steele.
El Shabazz utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
El Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but Steele blocks with his arms.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz is fighting off a takedown attempt but Steele is just too persistent for him and manages to trip El Shabazz to the mat. El Shabazz regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steele won't allow El Shabazz to sweep him here.
Steele is fighting to break El Shabazz's control of his arms but El Shabazz is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Steele postures up.
El Shabazz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Steele's guard.
El Shabazz trying to control but Steele is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Malik El Shabazz dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Malik El Shabazz's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
El Shabazz lands a nice looking body shot.
El Shabazz cracks Steele with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
El Shabazz connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Steele's hands.
El Shabazz circles away from the clinch attempt
and El Shabazz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
El Shabazz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
El Shabazz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Shabazz uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Steele has time to react.
El Shabazz lands a head kick!
El Shabazz fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Steele fails with an attempt to clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele checks the leg kick.
El Shabazz scores with a jab.
El Shabazz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
El Shabazz scores with a kick to the midsection.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from El Shabazz lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Steele has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Steele and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A big left from El Shabazz misses.
Steele takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Steele avoids the head kick by El Shabazz.
Steele's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Steele is looking to clinch but El Shabazz is avoiding it.
Steele slips under a jab from El Shabazz.
Steele has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz throws a body punch but Steele moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from El Shabazz.
A telegraphed right hand from El Shabazz misses the target.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steele tries to clinch up but El Shabazz circles away and keeps his distance.
Steele has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Steele there as he acknowledges the shot.
El Shabazz throws a nice outside leg kick.
Steele walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
El Shabazz lands a glancing blow to the side of Steele's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Steele tries to close the distance and clinch up but El Shabazz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Steele takes a shot to the body in his stride.
That kick from El Shabazz tenderised Steele's leg. Steele is trying to keep his angry face on.
El Shabazz throws a lazy uppercut
and Steele counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Steele prevents El Shabazz from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steele stands up from half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz throws a leg kick but Steele sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Steele takes the fight into the clinch.
El Shabazz avoids a wild elbow strike from Steele.
Steele lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
El Shabazz is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Steele pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
El Shabazz blocks the elbow strike.
Steele lands an elbow just above El Shabazz 's eye.
Steele prevents El Shabazz from breaking the clinch.
El Shabazz tries to break free but Steele pushes him back against the cage.
Steele gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Steele misses with a hook from the clinch.
Steele throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Steele avoiding damage as El Shabazz throws knees to the body.
El Shabazz is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Steele throws an elbow but it's blocked.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele looks to throw an elbow but misses.
El Shabazz tries to stall but Steele uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Steele creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Steele throws an elbow but it's blocked.
El Shabazz dodges an elbow strike from Steele.
Steele prevents El Shabazz from breaking the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Steele pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
El Shabazz blocks an elbow strike.
Steele pushes off an throws an elbow but El Shabazz leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
El Shabazz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
El Shabazz dodges an elbow strike from Steele.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
El Shabazz scores with a knee to the head.
It looks like Steven Steele has been cut.
El Shabazz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
El Shabazz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
El Shabazz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Steele has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
El Shabazz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Malik El Shabazz clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Steele has taken the fight to the clinch.
El Shabazz avoiding damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
El Shabazz avoids a wild elbow strike from Steele.
El Shabazz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Steele has dropped down and is working for a takedown. El Shabazz is trying to keep an underhook but Steele manages to get the takedown into half guard.
El Shabazz gets full guard.
Steven Steele has got the better of the ground game so far.
El Shabazz manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Steele manages to get himself to full guard.
El Shabazz not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Shabazz looking to pass the guard.
El Shabazz engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Steele looking to hit a scissor sweep but El Shabazz is one step ahead there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
El Shabazz being controlled here momentarily.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Steele can do anything to dispel that myth.
El Shabazz trying to control the position from guard on top but Steele is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
El Shabazz passes into half guard.
El Shabazz trying to control from half guard but Steele is working away.
El Shabazz is taking a breather. Steele 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.
El Shabazz trying to control from half guard but Steele is working away.
That's two 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.
El Shabazz looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Steele is trying to get back to full guard.
El Shabazz looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
El Shabazz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Steele keeps working.
Still in half guard, El Shabazz seems content to control.
El Shabazz is trying to control. Steele wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Steele preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Steele looking to score a takedown here. El Shabazz is defending well but Steele drives through and ends up in El Shabazz's guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz trying to control the position here.
El Shabazz looking to control.
Steele won't allow El Shabazz to sweep him here.
El Shabazz is trying to control the position but Steele postures up.
El Shabazz wants to sweep here but Steele controlling him for the moment.
El Shabazz is pulling down on Steele's head. It's preventing any offense from Steele, at least for the moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Steele moves in looking to clinch but El Shabazz pushes him off.
El Shabazz goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Steele ducks under a wild hook from El Shabazz.
Steele fails with an attempt to clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Steele wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Steven Steele will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Steele takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Steele clinches.
El Shabazz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Steele avoiding damage as El Shabazz throws knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Steele creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Steele throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Steele can't get the takedown.
Steele throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Shabazz tries a knee to the head but Steele blocks it.
El Shabazz throws a knee to the head but misses.
El Shabazz blocks an elbow strike from Steele.
El Shabazz blocks an elbow strike from Steele.
El Shabazz lands a knee to the head.
Steele throws an elbow but it misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Steele misses with an elbow strike.
El Shabazz blocks the elbow strike.
Steele lands a nice elbow.
El Shabazz blocks an elbow strike.
El Shabazz throws a knee to the head but misses.
Steele has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. El Shabazz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Steele lands an elbow that stopped El Shabazz in his tracks for a moment.
El Shabazz is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
El Shabazz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
El Shabazz avoids the elbow strike from Steele, against the cage.
El Shabazz breaks the clinch.
Steele on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by El Shabazz. El Shabazz obviously looking to wear him down.
El Shabazz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Steele looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
El Shabazz throws a counter high kick but Steele was just alert enough to avoid it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Steele manages to avoid it.
El Shabazz throws a hook but Steele blocks it.
El Shabazz lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Steele is looking to clinch but El Shabazz is avoiding it.
Steele moves out of range of the strikes.
El Shabazz throws a good cross that connects.
Steele fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
El Shabazz swats away the attempt to clinch by Steele.
El Shabazz misses with a low kick as Steele jumps back.
Steele doesn't manage to clinch there - El Shabazz circles away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from El Shabazz does it's job there.
El Shabazz scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from El Shabazz.
Steele has a takedown stuffed.
El Shabazz looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Malik El Shabazz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steven Steele.
Nice body punch from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Steele has taken the fight to the clinch.
El Shabazz blocks an elbow strike from Steele.
El Shabazz landing knees to the head.
Steele has hold of one of El Shabazz's legs. El Shabazz is fighting the takedown attempt but Steele gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
El Shabazz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Steele is one step ahead there.
Steven Steele has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
El Shabazz looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
El Shabazz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
El Shabazz has control of Steele's left arm, preventing Steele from doing any damage.
El Shabazz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
And that's the end of the fight!
Malik El Shabazz showed his dominance in that final round.
I think El Shabazz 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 49:46
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 50:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malik El Shabazz!
Malik El Shabazz retains his middleweight title!
After the big win, Malik El Shabazz made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Sportivité and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
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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
54% |
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