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Pulse 88 - Tszyu vs Kruglov II PBP Commentary |
Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shin Murakami (ranked 19322 p4p, 976 weight class) and Jack Lester (ranked 18164 p4p, 961 weight class). Lester has chosen Can't be touched as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 170 cm
30
170 lbs
5 - 10 - 0 |
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175 cm
27
176 lbs
6 - 16 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
5 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shin Murakami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
6 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Lester!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Fujiwara.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murakami gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A head kick misses from Murakami.
Murakami darts in and clinches Lester up against the cage.
Murakami blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Murakami is trying to maintain a safe position but Lester gets an underhook and turns Murakami into the cage.
Murakami just leaning against Lester, taking a breather.
Murakami tries to pull guard but Lester forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Lester lands an elbow just above Murakami 's eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lester tries a knee to the head but Murakami blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lester.
Lester tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Murakami manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Lester lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Lester lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Murakami blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Lester fails to land.
Stalling in the clinch from Murakami.
Lester throws a punch but it's blocked by Murakami.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lester is fighting off a takedown attempt but Murakami is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Lester to the mat. Lester regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Lester kicks Murakami off and gets to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murakami tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Murakami's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Lester connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Murakami scrambles back to his feet.
Nice jab there from Lester.
Murakami looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lester scores with a hook.
A left lands for Lester.
Lester throws out a powerful jab.
Lester connects with a body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Lester as Murakami shoots in.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Lester, as that shot connected.
Lester scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lester clobbers Murakami with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Jack Lester is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murakami takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Murakami lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Lester lands a nice looking body shot.
Murakami gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lester.
The fighters circle momentarily. Lester darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Jack Lester seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lester stalks Murakami and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Murakami's face. Murakami staggers backwards, shaken.
Good exchange - Lester coming out on top.
Murakami is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lester lands with a right hand.
Murakami takes a swing at Lester's ribcage but misses.
Murakami fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shin Murakami. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lester misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lester moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lester misses with a series of wild punches.
Lester throws a body shot but no joy.
Murakami is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lester sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jab from Lester.
Lester lands a jab-cross combination.
Lester scores with a jab to the head.
Lester lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A shot to the liver by Lester. Beautiful body shot.
Lester connects with a crisp jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lester misses with a combination
and Murakami counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Murakami has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Murakami there as he acknowledges the shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Jack Lester dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Murakami takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Lester tests Murakami's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jack Lester seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Murakami darts in trying to clinch
and Lester counters with a two punch combo.
Murakami fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Murakami is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murakami takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lester thuds a left hand into Murakami's body.
Murakami darts in trying to clinch
and Lester counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lester scores with a decent looking hook.
Murakami tries to clinch up.
Lester might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Lester jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nice jab there from Lester.
Lester connects with the punch.
Murakami ducks right into an uppercut from Lester.
Lester has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Lester scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Lester lands a head shot.
Murakami swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lester slips a jab and a cross from Murakami.
Murakami fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murakami throws a right and a left that Lester avoids nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lester throws a right and a left that Murakami avoids nicely.
Murakami wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Murakami ducks right into an uppercut from Lester.
Murakami tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lester swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lester throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Lester connects with a looping right hand.
Murakami tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lester doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Murakami takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Lester lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Good standup being displayed there by Lester as he connects with a hook.
Lester misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Murakami.
Murakami on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lester misses with a wild body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Lester darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Lester thuds a left hand into Murakami's body.
Murakami closes the distance and clinches up with Lester, looking for a takedown. Murakami pushes Lester against the cage but Lester circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shin Murakami. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Murakami tries to clinch but Lester is having none of it.
Shin Murakami is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lester digs a good body shot into Murakami's ribs.
Lester throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Murakami on the side of the head.
Lester keeps the fight on the outside.
Murakami takes one to the side of the head.
Lester getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Lester looks to land a combination but Murakami avoids it well.
Murakami tries to counter by clinching up but Lester breaks away and moves out of range.
Murakami walks into a left hand.
Lester circles away from the clinch attempt
and Lester counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lester lands with a right hand.
Lester misses with a body shot
and Murakami counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Murakami takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Murakami tries to clinch but Lester moves out of range.
Lester takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Murakami takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The fighters circling - Murakami throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Murakami throws a sloppy head kick and Lester moves out of range easily.
Lester changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lester fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Murakami looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Lester ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Murakami tries to clinch up
and Lester counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Murakami thinking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Jack Lester showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Murakami shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lester pinned against the cage. Lester gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lester stalks Murakami and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Murakami's face. Murakami staggers backwards, shaken.
Lester throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Murakami stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Murakami dodges the punch combination from Lester.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lester misses the shot to the body.
Lester looks to land a combination. Murakami sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Lester lands a jab to the head.
Left hook, right uppercut from Lester.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lester with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Lester misses with a jab, cross combination.
A shot to the liver by Lester. Beautiful body shot.
Lester scores with a sloppy right hand. Murakami should have avoided that one.
Lester scores with a nice head shot.
Lester slaps away a takedown attempt from Murakami, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lester scores with a one two! Murakami had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheers as Lester lands an impressive looking overhand right. Murakami doesn't seem phased though.
Lester misses with a few strikes there.
Murakami has closed the distance and engaged Lester in a clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murakami.
Murakami is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lester to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shin Murakami. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lester throws an elbow but it misses.
Lester keeps control of Murakami as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Murakami breaks the clinch.
Murakami scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Murakami fails in his attempt to clinch.
Murakami takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Lester scores with a jab to the jaw.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lester works the jab nicely.
Murakami looks for a takedown but Lester sprawls well.
A decent looking cross lands there for Lester.
Murakami takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lester showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Murakami.
Murakami tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lester defends well and Murakami ends up having to push Lester into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
As Murakami backs off Lester throws a huge counter combo but Murakami manages to avoid it all.
Murakami tries to clinch there but Lester circles away.
Murakami moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Lester bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lester lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lester with a nice cross.
Murakami throws a lazy head kick
and Lester counters by clinching up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Murakami is looking for a takedown.
Murakami is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lester is defending well for now.
Murakami is trying to push Lester away but Lester has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Murakami fails to pull guard.
Lester lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Lester lands with a light punch inside.
And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Lester comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lester has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 26:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 26:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Lester!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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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
71% |
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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thorn Drysdale (ranked 6200 p4p, 521 weight class) and Yuki Shojo (ranked 3137 p4p, 306 weight class). This should be fireworks!
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| 167 cm
24
149 lbs
1 - 1 - 0 |
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165 cm
24
140 lbs
13 - 5 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick |
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Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thorn Drysdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuki Shojo!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Hirohito Nitta.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Drysdale misses the target.
A jab from Shojo does it's job there.
A jab from Drysdale misses.
Drysdale throws a lazy right hand but Shojo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Drysdale throws a one two combo.
Shojo rushes Drysdale and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Shojo manages to break the clinch.
Drysdale takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Drysdale throws a right hand that Shojo ducks under and follows up with a left that Shojo also avoids with ease.
Drysdale rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Shojo counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Shojo feints and then cracks Drysdale's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Drysdale down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shojo connects with a body shot.
Drysdale tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shojo was well out of range. Poor timing from Drysdale.
Shojo has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Shojo closes the distance and pushes Drysdale back into the cage.
Shojo connects with a knee to the head.
Drysdale lands a right hand.
Shojo scores with a nice hook to the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Drysdale misses with some punches.
Drysdale misses with some punches.
Shojo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shojo is stalling here.
Drysdale misses with a punch on the inside.
Drysdale tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shojo's elbow.
Shojo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shojo lands a knee to the body.
Shojo scores a nice knee to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Drysdale fails to land.
Shojo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shojo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shojo tries to work over Drysdale's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shojo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Drysdale takes one on the chin but seems OK.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shojo scores with a sloppy right hand. Drysdale should have avoided that one.
Drysdale throws a shot to the body.
Yuki Shojo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shojo tries to clinch
and Drysdale counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shojo clinches with his opponent.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shojo.
Shojo lands with a left to the head.
Drysdale misses with some punches.
Drysdale swings wildly with an uppercut but Shojo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Drysdale misses with a short punch on the inside.
Drysdale lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Shojo backwards.
Drysdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shojo lands with a light punch inside.
Drysdale doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shojo throws a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch on the inside from Drysdale fails to land.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale swings wildly with an uppercut but Shojo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shojo is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Shojo breaks the clinch.
Shojo moves out of range of the strikes.
Drysdale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Drysdale throws a jab but it's blocked by Shojo.
Shojo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shojo lands a right hook to the body.
Shojo moves into the clinch successfully.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Shojo obliges.
Shojo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Shojo blocks an uppercut.
Drysdale goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good body shot from Drysdale.
Shojo crunches a lovely knee into Drysdale's ribcage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojo landing knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Drysdale fails to land.
Drysdale throws a head punch that misses.
Drysdale swings wildly with an uppercut but Shojo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Drysdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shojo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shojo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drysdale swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Drysdale moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Shojo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Shojo clinches up with Drysdale and pushes him back against the cage.
Shojo unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shojo digs a right hand underneath Drysdale's ribcage. Drysdale let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shojo is struggling to control the position.
Shojo has Drysdale pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Yuki Shojo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Drysdale takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Shojo darts in and clinches Drysdale up against the cage.
Shojo lands a good knee to the midsection. Drysdale won't want to take too many of those.
Shojo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shojo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Drysdale takes a knee to the side of the body.
Shojo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Drysdale's elbow.
Shojo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Drysdale up against the cage.
Shojo blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shojo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shojo.
Shojo lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shojo landing some nice looking knees to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Shojo lands a knee to the body.
Drysdale swings wildly with an uppercut but Shojo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Knees to the body from Shojo.
Drysdale swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shojo blocks an uppercut.
Drysdale misses with a punch on the inside.
Shojo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Drysdale lands a right hand.
Shojo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Shojo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shojo has managed to clinch.
Drysdale tries a body shot but Shojo blocks it.
Shojo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Shojo slowing the pace effectively.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shojo.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale lands with a right to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Shojo.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shojo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shojo utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Shojo.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shojo.
Shojo unloads a knee to the mid-section. Drysdale lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Drysdale letting Shojo take a breather here.
Yuki Shojo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Drysdale.
Shojo effectively controlling the action here.
Drysdale tries to throw a body punch but Shojo avoids it by throwing Drysdale back against the cage.
Drysdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drysdale takes a knee to the side of the body.
Drysdale misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Drysdale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Drysdale can't find room to land a body shot as Shojo controls the action.
Drysdale misses with a punch on the inside.
Shojo scores with a hook to the body.
Shojo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Drysdale in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Shojo.
Shojo lands a knee to the body.
Shojo lands a knee to the head.
Shojo digs a right hand underneath Drysdale's ribcage. Drysdale let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Come on Shojo - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nice body punch from Shojo.
Shojo tries a body shot but Drysdale blocks it.
Shojo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Drysdale in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojo presses Drysdale against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Drysdale throws a punch but it's blocked by Shojo.
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!
Shojo effectively controlling the action here.
Shojo lands a knee to the body.
Drysdale tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shojo's elbow.
A hook to the body from Shojo.
A nice right hand lands inside from Shojo.
Shojo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Drysdale backwards.
Shojo lands a body shot in the clinch.
Shojo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Shojo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shojo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Shojo jabs Drysdale to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shojo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Yuki Shojo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!
Drysdale walks forward, straight into a front kick from Shojo.
Drysdale thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shojo lets loose with a powerful body kick. Drysdale will feel that in the morning.
Shojo misses with a kick to the body.
Shojo pushes Drysdale up against the cage in a clinch.
Shojo blocking some punches.
The referee calls for Shojo to work.
Shojo crunches a lovely knee into Drysdale's ribcage.
Shojo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Drysdale misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shojo prevents a body shot from Drysdale.
Shojo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shojo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Drysdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Drysdale working aggressively here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Drysdale.
Shojo lands a left hand.
Shojo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shojo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drysdale was well out of range. Poor timing from Shojo.
A little feinted left hand from Drysdale on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Shojo scores with a crisp jab that stopped Drysdale in his tracks.
Yuki Shojo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shojo clinches.
Shojo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shojo cracks Drysdale with a right hand to the side of the head.
Drysdale misses with a wild combination.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Shojo unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Shojo dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Thorn Drysdale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shojo is leaning against Drysdale and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Drysdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shojo lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shojo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shojo digs a right hand underneath Drysdale's ribcage. Drysdale let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shojo stalls.
Shojo stalling the fight.
Yuki Shojo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Drysdale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shojo slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch on the inside from Drysdale fails to land.
Shojo controlling the action here for a moment.
Shojo is pushing Drysdale up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Yuki Shojo.
Shojo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Drysdale manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shojo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Drysdale.
Shojo sizes up Drysdale with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Shojo slips a jab from Drysdale.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shojo! But no joy.
Shojo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Drysdale.
Drysdale takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Shojo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Drysdale momentarily.
Shojo on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Shojo scores with a leg kick.
Drysdale misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Shojo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shojo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Shojo lands with an uppercut that bounces Drysdale off the cage and back into range.
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!
Drysdale misses with a right hand
and Shojo counters with a slapping leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shojo tries to clinch up but Drysdale circles away and keeps his distance.
Shojo darts in and clinches Drysdale up against the cage.
Drysdale digs a right hand underneath Shojo's ribcage. Shojo let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Drysdale swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shojo landing knees to the head.
Shojo pressing his opponent against the cage.
Drysdale lands a left hand.
Drysdale lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Drysdale has a couple of punches blocked by Shojo.
Shojo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shojo works on Drysdale's body with a couple of short punches.
Shojo works on Drysdale's body with a couple of short punches.
And that's the end of the fight!
Yuki Shojo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shojo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuki Shojo!
Yuki Shojo made sure to mention his sponsor, Lion Fightwear in his post fight interview.
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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
68% |
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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Berg Captain Hook (ranked 5383 p4p, 570 weight class) and Joseph Parker (ranked 2845 p4p, 327 weight class). Parker has chosen Roots Manuva - Again and Again as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 190 cm
30
266 lbs
7 - 8 - 0 |
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193 cm
29
227 lbs
11 - 4 - 0 |
BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Berg Captain Hook!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joseph Parker!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Sosuke Kotani and Ren Mimura.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Parker does no damage.
Parker looks to land a combination but Captain Hook avoids it well.
Parker listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Parker misses with a series of wild punches.
Captain Hook tries to clinch there but Parker circles away.
Captain Hook misses with a few strikes there.
Parker changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Captain Hook throws a right and a left that Parker avoids nicely.
Captain Hook rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Parker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jab by Parker.
Captain Hook gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Captain Hook misses with a body kick.
Parker changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Parker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Parker dodges the punch combination from Captain Hook.
Captain Hook's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Captain Hook duly obliges.
Captain Hook misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Captain Hook tries to bum rush Parker with a series of wild strikes but Parker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Parker lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Parker misses with a few strikes there.
Captain Hook seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Parker drops Captain Hook with a left and a right! Oh, Captain Hook is hurt - Parker dives into side control looking to finish!
Captain Hook is rocked!
Captain Hook tries to buck Parker off but Parker is having none of it.
Oh Captain Hook is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Captain Hook wants to control but Parker postures up.
Captain Hook seems to have got his legs back now.
Captain Hook is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Captain Hook manages to get back to half guard.
Captain Hook controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Captain Hook is trying to get back to full guard.
Captain Hook trying to control from the bottom.
Parker prevents Captain Hook from improving his position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Captain Hook has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Parker escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Parker!
Captain Hook tries to buck Parker off but Parker is having none of it.
Parker decides to stand back up.
Parker lands with a cross.
Parker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Captain Hook, pushing him back against the cage.
Captain Hook is trying to break the clinch but Parker is controlling him.
Parker looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Parker scores with a shot to the side of Captain Hook's head.
Captain Hook manages to break the clinch.
Parker throws a shot from downtown. Captain Hook moves away and avoids it.
Captain Hook swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A combination from Captain Hook does no damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Parker misses.
Captain Hook tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Parker was well out of range. Poor timing from Captain Hook.
No joy there for Parker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Captain Hook throws a right hand that Parker ducks under and follows up with a left that Parker also avoids with ease.
Parker drops Captain Hook with a right and a left! Parker comes rushing in but Captain Hook regains his composure and manages to keep Parker in guard.
It looks like Berg Captain Hook has been cut.
Captain Hook is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Parker stands and steps away. Captain Hook gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Captain Hook cracks Parker with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Captain Hook swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Captain Hook swinging wildly here.
Captain Hook rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Parker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Joseph Parker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Captain Hook closes the distance and clinches.
Captain Hook has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Parker prevents the takedown attempt.
Parker lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Captain Hook is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Parker to keep the fight standing.
Parker breaks from the clinch.
Captain Hook misses with a hook.
Parker throws a right hand that Captain Hook ducks under and follows up with a left that Captain Hook also avoids with ease.
Parker comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Captain Hook is breathing heavily.
Captain Hook throws a right and a left that Parker avoids nicely.
Captain Hook fails in his attempt to clinch.
Parker throws a jab but it's blocked by Captain Hook.
Parker throws a series of punches but Captain Hook moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Parker, as that shot connected.
Parker lands with a right and another and another! Captain Hook is in big trouble! Parker lands again and this time it's lights out for Captain Hook! A quality knockout there for Parker.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Joseph Parker!
An intense looking Joseph Parker took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'I'm waiting for you, Olajide.'.
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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
65% |
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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jako Day (ranked 3206 p4p, 454 weight class) and Sol Kwon (ranked 1863 p4p, 279 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!
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| 189 cm
29
206 lbs
11 - 7 - 0 |
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188 cm
20
215 lbs
2 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Excellent 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
11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jako Day!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sol Kwon!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Kenichi Hosakawa.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kwon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Day avoids the body shot from Kwon.
A quick step to the side and Day tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A slapping leg kick lands for Day.
Day swinging wildly here.
Kwon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Day throws a leg kick but Kwon sees it coming and checks it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Kwon misses its intended target.
Day showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kwon.
Day misses with a right hand
letting Kwon counter with a right hand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kwon throws a series of punches but Day moves out of range.
Kwon darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
It looks like Jako Day has been cut.
Day tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kwon was well out of range. Poor timing from Day.
Kwon cracks a nice hook into Day's ribs.
Day uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kwon.
Kwon will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kwon throws out a loose jab but Day uses good head movement to avoid it.
Day throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kwon sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kwon swings for the body but Day moves out of range.
Day throwing a counter right hand but Kwon manages to avoid it.
Day looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwon scores with a shot to the body.
Day misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kwon loads up on a big right hand but Day slips the punch.
Day throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Day staying out of range there.
Day walks into a left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kwon misses with a straight right.
Day defending well as Kwon loads up on a big left hand.
Kwon slips a straight right by Day.
Kwon lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Kwon.
Sol Kwon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kwon thuds a left hand into Day's body.
Kwon misses with a right hand
and Day counters with a two punch combo.
Kwon takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Day finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kwon cracks Day with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Kwon has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Day to stand back up!
Day is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kwon lands with a shot to the body.
Oh Day is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kwon lands an uppercut, right on the button! Day tumbles backwards into the cage, staring vacantly into space! He's got no idea where he is, who he is or what day it is... Poor guy.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Sol Kwon!
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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
48% |
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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mad Dog Malone (ranked 1958 p4p, 255 weight class) and Kimbo Spice (ranked 4507 p4p, 520 weight class). Malone's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Bad Boys - Inner Circle. Spice has chosen Grayson Sanders – Beautiful Crime as his entrance music. Kimbo Spice is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.
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| 181 cm
23
190 lbs
4 - 1 - 0 |
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183 cm
33
185 lbs
10 - 10 - 0 |
Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Knockout power |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mad Dog Malone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kimbo Spice!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spice takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice cross by Malone.
Nice body punch from Malone.
A shot to the liver by Malone. Beautiful body shot.
Malone throws a sloppy head kick
and Spice decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Malone's guard.
Malone looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Spice slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Malone on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Malone tries to get out of the position.
Malone can't do much from the bottom here.
Malone is trying to work for a sweep but Spice has mounted him!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Malone really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Spice jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Malone is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Malone and Spice has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Spice looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Spice advances to mount.
Malone sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Malone keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spice is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Malone has managed to free his arm - good work.
Malone controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Spice seems to be working for a kimura but Malone defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Malone is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Spice pulls his head out easily.
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.
Malone is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Malone is defending against the submission attempts here by Spice.
Malone is looking for a sweep. Spice is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Spice is working for a kimura but Malone is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are battling for position here. Malone manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
That's four 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.
Spice stops Malone from standing up.
Spice slips nicely into half guard.
Spice is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Malone has managed to free his arm - good work.
Malone wants to improve his position but Spice is controlling well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Malone trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Kimbo Spice will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Malone lands a jab to Spice's midsection.
Malone definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Spice misses with a combination
and Malone counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Spice thinking.
Malone fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Spice has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Malone lands with a nice body punch.
Malone throws a push kick but Spice slaps the foot to one side.
Malone throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Spice on the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spice swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Spice darts in looking for a takedown but Malone gets double underhooks and turns Spice into the cage.
Malone scores with a leg kick.
Mad Dog Malone is winning the standup battle so far.
Malone throws a body kick that misses
and Spice counters with a single leg into guard. Malone didn't expect that.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Spice postures up.
Malone 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.
Spice works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Spice is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Malone is just riding it out for now. Spice eventually gives up the hold.
Spice is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Malone is just riding it out for now. Spice eventually gives up the hold.
Malone trying to control but Spice postures up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Spice is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Malone defends it well.
Malone is looking for a sweep. Spice is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Spice is thwarting Malone's attempts to control the position.
Spice has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spice working for a submission but Malone is keeping him at bay.
Spice has hold of Malone's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Malone manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Malone really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Malone tries to hold on but Spice pushes him away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Malone is wriggling around trying to escape.
Malone is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Spice is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Malone is surviving well by controlling Spice's body position as best he can.
Malone wants to control but Spice is having none of it.
Kimbo Spice has got the better of the ground game so far.
Spice looking to secure an arm triangle but Malone defends it well.
Spice swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Malone is now in Spice's guard. A big mistake from Spice there, giving up the dominant position!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Spice is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Kimbo Spice will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Spice on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Malone. Malone obviously looking to wear him down.
Malone works the jab nicely.
Malone misses with a body shot.
Spice takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A jab from Malone finds it's way through Spice's defenses.
Malone lands a jab.
Malone uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Spice is rocked!
Malone lands a lovely overhand right.
Spice is still on wobbly legs! Can Malone finish him?
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Malone, right into the meat.
Malone avoids a punch combination nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Malone connects with a solid leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Malone drops Spice with a huge uppercut! Spice drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Malone is raining down punches and the ref stops the fight! This one is all over!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:06 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mad Dog Malone!
A relieved looking Mad Dog Malone 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
40% |
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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Martyn Ford (ranked 3123 p4p, 447 weight class) and Francisco Escobar (ranked 1780 p4p, 265 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 175 cm
32
218 lbs
14 - 7 - 1 |
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185 cm
33
220 lbs
8 - 10 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
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 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Martyn Ford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Francisco Escobar!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shirou Masuda and Yasuomi Hirokawa.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ford misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ford gets tackled into the cage by Escobar. Escobar maintains the clinch.
Escobar is leaning against Ford and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ford jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Escobar walks away with a smile on his face. Ford gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Escobar instigates a clinch.
Ford tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Escobar just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martyn Ford. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Escobar lands a shot to the body.
Escobar stalling.
Escobar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ford 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.
Escobar shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ford eats them both and turns towards Escobar to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Escobar moves into the clinch.
Ford jumps guard but Escobar turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ford tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Escobar smiles and moves away.
Escobar gets in close and instigates a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ford is trying to pull guard but Escobar has him pressed against the cage.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Escobar 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.
Escobar tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ford avoids it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ford avoids it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Escobar.
Ford jumps guard but Escobar stands there with Ford around his waist. Ford gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ford managing to block the knees to the body from Escobar.
Escobar lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Escobar is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Escobar is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ford has managed to free his arm - good work.
Escobar is trying to work for a kimura but Ford is defending well.
Escobar is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Escobar tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ford knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ford is looking for a sweep. Escobar is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ford wants to control but Escobar is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Escobar is looking to take a break and control but Ford is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Escobar looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Escobar prevents Ford from improving his position.
Escobar is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ford defends it well.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar prevents Ford from improving his position.
Ford is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Escobar pulls his head out easily.
Ford wants to control but Escobar is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Escobar is stalling here. Ford is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Escobar seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Ford has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Escobar is trying to improve his position.
Ford has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Escobar!
Escobar wants to hold on but Ford pushes him away.
Ford can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Escobar is looking to escape.
Escobar is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ford wants to take his opponent's back but Escobar doesn't allow it.
Ford tries to control but Escobar wriggling away.
Escobar bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Ford keeping moving, preventing Escobar from controlling successfully.
Escobar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ford is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Escobar is aware though and is defending well.
Escobar wants to control from the top but Ford keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Escobar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Francisco Escobar dominated that round.
That's time! Ford's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Escobar gets a clinch.
Escobar has clasped his hands together around Ford's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Ford can't do much from the bottom here.
Escobar working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Escobar working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ford is trying to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ford is trying to get back to half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ford knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Escobar tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Escobar looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Escobar wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ford, who protects the arm well.
Escobar is trying to get an arm triangle but Ford is defending well.
Ford tries to improve position but can't.
Escobar thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Escobar looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Ford is avoiding damage well.
Ford tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Escobar wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Escobar wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ford, who protects the arm well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar wants to control but Ford is keeping him busy.
Escobar tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Escobar has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Escobar wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ford, who protects the arm well.
Ford tries to buck Escobar off but Escobar is having none of it.
Ford can't do much from the bottom here.
Escobar goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ford has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Escobar but great work by Ford.
Ford tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Francisco Escobar has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ford wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Escobar, who protects the arm well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar is trying to control Ford's posture but Ford avoids it.
Ford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Escobar keeps working.
Escobar is trying to improve his position.
Escobar stops Ford from passing to mount.
You can see the frustration on Escobar's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Escobar prevents Ford from improving position.
Escobar regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Francisco Escobar 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. This is the final round!
Escobar gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ford jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Escobar walks away with a smile on his face. Ford gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ford shoots in and drives through. Escobar sprawls well.
Escobar closes the distance and clinches.
Ford is fighting off a takedown attempt but Escobar is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Ford to the mat. Ford regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Ford avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ford is trying to keep Escobar in close.
Escobar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ford swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Escobar won't allow Ford to sweep him here.
Ford keeping moving, preventing Escobar from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Ford sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Escobar is looking for a kimura but Ford is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Escobar to get the leverage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar is working for a kimura but Ford is defending it quite comfortably.
Escobar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ford defending well though.
Ford is looking for a sweep. Escobar is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Escobar is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ford defends it well.
Escobar is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ford defends it well.
Escobar is thwarting Ford's attempts to control the position.
Ford is looking to improve his position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ford is in trouble now - Escobar has advanced to mount!
Ford tries to reverse the position but Escobar maintains control.
Ford bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Escobar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Escobar managing to control the position.
Escobar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ford trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Escobar throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ford wants to control from the top but Escobar keeps moving.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Ford frees his head nicely. Oh but Escobar has switched to an armbar! Ford is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Francisco Escobar!
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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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Undercard bout
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Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Aldo (ranked 832 p4p, 117 weight class) and Jorge Santos (ranked 2274 p4p, 297 weight class). Jorge Santos struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.0lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 182 cm
25
190 lbs
15 - 4 - 0 |
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188 cm
23
204 lbs
3 - 4 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anderson Aldo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jorge Santos!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Taro Takaoka and Kenichi Hosakawa.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santos throws an overhand right that lands on Aldo's shoulder, as Aldo tries to avoid the shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Aldo misses the target.
Santos has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Aldo is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Aldo slips under a jab from Santos.
Jorge Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santos misses with an uppercut
and Aldo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice uppercut lands for Santos. That snapped Aldo's head back.
Nice uppercut lands for Santos. That snapped Aldo's head back.
Santos fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Aldo sprawls well initially but Santos persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Santos slips a nice elbow through Aldo's hands, connecting with Aldo's forehead.
Santos sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Aldo defending well though.
Santos is stalling here. Aldo is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Santos seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Aldo has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
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!
Santos tries to buck Aldo off but Aldo is having none of it.
Aldo wants to control but Santos is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Santos's shoulder. That is not cool.
Santos has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Santos manages to work his way to half guard, despite Aldo's best efforts.
Aldo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Aldo tries to stand but can't do so whilst Santos controls his leg.
Santos preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Santos tries to roll over but Aldo keeps him under control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Santos keeping hold of Aldo's head, controlling as best he can.
Well, if Aldo 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.
Aldo prevents Santos from improving his position.
Santos controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Santos wants to control but Aldo is keeping busy.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos keeping control of the position.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Aldo misses with a looping right.
Santos pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aldo is looking to counter punch.
Santos dips to his left and cracks Aldo with an uppercut!
A big left from Santos misses.
Santos throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Aldo on the side of the head.
Santos keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Aldo.
Santos lands a really nice looking cross but Aldo seems unphased.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos cracks Aldo with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Anderson Aldo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Santos scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Santos scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Aldo gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Santos to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aldo wants to sweep here but Santos controlling him for the moment.
Santos working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Aldo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Aldo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Santos manages to get himself to full guard.
Santos is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Jorge Santos dominated that round.
That's time! Aldo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Aldo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Santos.
Santos shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Aldo eats them both and turns towards Santos to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Santos misses with a takedown attempt
and Aldo counters with a good low kick that Santos was not able to check.
Aldo tests Santos's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Santos looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aldo is fending him off so far but Santos persists. Nope, Aldo circles away and we're back to standing.
An attempted straight right counter from Aldo misses the target.
Santos fails to land the takedown.
Anderson Aldo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorge Santos.
Aldo blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aldo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Aldo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Santos misses with a jab, cross combination.
An attempted straight right counter from Aldo misses the target.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Santos there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Santos misses the shot to the body.
A quick step to the side and Aldo tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd cheers as Santos lands an impressive looking overhand right. Aldo doesn't seem phased though.
Santos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Santos misses with a kick to the body
and Aldo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Santos fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Aldo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Aldo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Santos misses with a body punch
and Santos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Santos throws a shot from downtown. Aldo moves away and avoids it.
Santos misses with a looping left.
Aldo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Santos connects with a good right hand that stumbles Aldo. Aldo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Aldo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Santos can pounce on him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos misses with a straight right.
Aldo seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Santos throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Santos throws a right hand that misses
and Aldo counters with a stiff right hand.
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!
Aldo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Santos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aldo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Aldo blocks a jab.
Aldo seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Aldo blocks a jab.
Santos is looking to chop away at Aldo's legs.
Santos shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Santos looks to throw the jab but Aldo is out of range.
Santos tries to bum rush Aldo with a series of wild strikes but Aldo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Aldo looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Santos shoots in for a takedown but Aldo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Aldo bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Santos's head backwards.
Santos works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nice sprawl there from Aldo as Santos shoots in.
Aldo appears to be looking for a big counter.
A big left from Santos misses.
Santos misses with a right hand
and Aldo counters with a nice body shot.
Aldo is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Santos is breathing heavily.
Santos just misses with a punch to the body.
Aldo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Santos lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo lands a jab to Santos's midsection.
Santos misses the jab.
A clash of legs there as Aldo blocks the low kick.
Aldo appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Aldo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It looked like Aldo was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Santos shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Aldo but Aldo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A quick step to the side and Aldo tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santos throws a big shot that misses.
Aldo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Aldo is looking to clinch.
Aldo checks a leg kick nicely.
Santos feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Aldos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Jorge Santos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Aldo slips a straight right by Santos.
Aldo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Santos looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Aldo!
Aldo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Santos's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Aldo is controlling Santos's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Santos thows a huge punch but Aldo dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aldo is not content to let Santos control the position.
Santos drops an elbow to the side of Aldo's head.
Aldo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Aldo is staying active underneath Santos, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Aldo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Santos.
Aldo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Santos looking to pass the guard.
Santos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Santos won't allow Aldo to sweep him here.
Santos slips nicely into half guard.
Anderson Aldo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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.
Santos not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Aldo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Aldo is not content to let Santos control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santos is thwarting Aldo's attempts to control the position.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Santos is trying hard to land a takedown here. Aldo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Santos uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Aldo.
Santos feints and then cracks Aldo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Aldo down.
Aldo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Santos sees it coming and avoids it easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Aldo sneaks out the side door and pushes Santos away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Aldo 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.
Santos misses with a leg kick.
Aldo appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Santos fails to land the takedown.
Aldo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Santos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aldo slips a jab from Santos.
Aldo slips a jab from Santos.
Aldo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Santos scores with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aldo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Santos tries a head kick but it misses.
Santos will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Santos misses with a straight left.
Good work by Aldo as he checks the leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Aldo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Santos lands with a straight right. Aldo didn't see that one coming.
Santos misses with a hook. Aldo ducked under it nicely.
Aldo fires out a quick counter leg kick but Santos just manages to avoid it.
Santos misses with a looping right.
Santos tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Aldo defends well and Santos ends up having to push Aldo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And that's the end of the fight!
Jorge Santos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Santos 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jorge Santos!
After winning the bout, Jorge Santos thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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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
45% |
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Co-main event
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Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Seun Adedji (ranked 1417 p4p, 217 weight class) and Marlo Stanfield (ranked 2270 p4p, 347 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 175 cm
24
175 lbs
13 - 4 - 0 |
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178 cm
25
169 lbs
15 - 7 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Seun Adedji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marlo Stanfield!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stanfield slips a jab from Adedji.
Stanfield lands with a hook. Adedji tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Adedji swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stanfield.
Adedji connects with a body shot that sends Stanfield's belly button to the back.
Seun Adedji seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stanfield steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Adedji.
Adedji misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Stanfield counters with a straight right hand.
Stanfield throws a leg kick but Adedji moved away.
Adedji takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Adedji circles away from the clinch attempt
and Adedji cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Adedji ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stanfield moves away.
Adedji takes the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stanfield lands on the inside with an uppercut.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Adedji lands a nice uppercut.
Adedji blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stanfield gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Stanfield preventing the sweep.
Stanfield seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Stanfield working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Stanfield pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Adedji is keeping the position for now.
Stanfield trying to control but Adedji is working from the bottom.
Stanfield seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adedji is working an open guard so Stanfield takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Adedji swings widly with a right hand
and Stanfield counters with a straight right hand.
Stanfield drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Stanfield shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Stanfield showed some decent athleticism there.
Adedji has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
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!
Stanfield seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Adedji does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Adedji keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield trying to control the pace.
Stanfield throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stanfield is pressing down on Adedji's thigh, looking to free his foot. Adedji is holding on for now.
Stanfield lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Stanfield takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Adedji taking some punishment here, with Stanfield in his half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adedji has hold of Stanfield's hands but Stanfield slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stanfield content to control rather than advance.
Stanfield tries to pass to full mount but Adedji defends it.
Stanfield keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Let's hope that Stanfield has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Adedji trying to control here.
Stanfield trying to mount his opponent but Adedji defends it.
Stanfield with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Marlo Stanfield dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Adedji steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stanfield.
Stanfield uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Adedji.
Stanfield feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Stanfield throws a strike but Adedji rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Adedji avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stanfield keeping moving, preventing Adedji from controlling successfully.
Stanfield has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stanfield has an active guard here but Adedji has managed to pass into half guard.
Stanfield wants to improve his position but Adedji is controlling well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanfield trying to control but Adedji postures up.
Stanfield tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Adedji has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Stanfield working to try and regain half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Adedji avoids the attempt from Stanfield to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Adedji is stalling here but it's allowed Stanfield to get half guard.
Marlo Stanfield has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stanfield trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Stanfield is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield working to try and regain half guard.
Adedji looking to control but Stanfield is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Stanfield sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Stanfield is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Adedji's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Adedji's back!
Adedji tries to escape the position.
Stanfield slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Well, with Stanfield on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Adedji is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
That's four minutes gone in the round.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Stanfield.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Stanfield's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Adedji tries to escape the position.
Stanfield controls the position.
Stanfield misses with punches from the back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stanfield tries to get the hooks in deep but Adedji pushed the leg off.
Stanfield lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Stanfield slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Marlo Stanfield showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Adedji works Stanfield's body with a nice hook.
A slow jab from Adedji misses its intended target.
Adedji avoids the head kick by Stanfield.
Stanfield fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stanfield slips a jab from Adedji.
Stanfield ducks under a wild hook from Adedji.
Stanfield scores with a nice strike.
Stanfield takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Adedji avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stanfield tries to bum rush Adedji with a series of wild strikes but Adedji uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A jab from Adedji finds it's way through Stanfield's defenses.
Adedji throws an off balance right hand
and Stanfield counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Adedji throws a right hand that misses
and Stanfield counters with a leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Adedji waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stanfield.
A swing and a miss from Adedji.
Stanfield displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Adedji throws out the jab.
Stanfield misses with a head kick.
Stanfield throws a head kick that misses.
Adedji throwing a counter right hand but Stanfield manages to avoid it.
Adedji works the jab nicely.
Adedji just misses with a punch to the body.
Stanfield throws a head kick that misses
and Adedji counters with a nice uppercut.
A jab from Adedji misses.
Stanfield let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Stanfield swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Adedji.
Stanfield ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A decent looking cross lands there for Stanfield.
Stanfield misses with an uppercut
and Adedji counters with a right hand to the body.
Seun Adedji has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adedji moves to clinch but Stanfield breaks away
and Stanfield connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Adedji misses with a looping left.
Stanfield defending well as Adedji loads up on a big left hand.
Adedji lands with an uppercut that bounces Stanfield off the cage and back into range.
Adedji moves out of range of the strikes.
Stanfield ducks under a wild hook from Adedji.
Stanfield takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stanfield wants to slow Adedji down by chopping away at his legs.
Adedji was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Adedji looks to throw the jab but Stanfield is out of range.
Stanfield throws a fast counter high kick but Adedji manages to duck under it in time.
The crowd cheers as Adedji lands an impressive looking overhand right. Stanfield doesn't seem phased though.
Stanfield scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield throws a sloppy head kick
and Adedji counters with a stiff right hand.
Adedji moves away from the strike by Stanfield.
Adedji appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Adedji jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stanfield connects with a right hand. Adedji shakes it off.
Adedji looks to throw the jab but Stanfield is out of range.
Stanfield looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Adedji moves out of range as Stanfield strikes.
Stanfield ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It seemed like Stanfield was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Adedji swings for the body but Stanfield moves out of range.
Adedji throws a poor cross that misses
and Stanfield counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Adedji is rocked!
Stanfield blocks a jab.
Oh Adedji is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stanfield circles and sees the opportunity to plant his feet and throw a really nice straight left hand that drops Adedji to the canvas! Adedji doesn't know where he is but he's trying to survive - Stanfield keeps piling on the pressure and forces the referee to step in! This one is aaaaaall over!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Marlo Stanfield!
A relieved looking Marlo Stanfield 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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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
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FIGHT
RATING
55% |
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Main event
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Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anton Kruglov (ranked 361 p4p, 51 weight class) and Kostya Tszyu (ranked 197 p4p, 27 weight class). Tszyu has chosen Till the End of Time as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 171 cm
26
176 lbs
16 - 5 - 1 |
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185 cm
24
186 lbs
15 - 1 - 3 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
16 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anton Kruglov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
15 - 1 - 3, fighting out of New York, Kostya Tszyu!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Ren Mimura.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kruglov scores with a push kick.
Kruglov blocks a head kick by Tszyu.
Tszyu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tszyu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kruglov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A clash of legs there as Kruglov blocks the low kick.
Kruglov avoids the head kick by Tszyu.
A swing and a miss from Tszyu.
The crowd cheers as Tszyu lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kruglov doesn't seem phased though.
Tszyu slips under a jab.
Kruglov clinches up against the cage.
Kruglov lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Tszyu fails to land.
Tszyu lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tszyu lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kruglov backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tszyu.
Tszyu works on Kruglov's body with a couple of short punches.
Tszyu swings wildly with an uppercut but Kruglov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tszyu tries to work over Kruglov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruglov lands a right hand.
Kruglov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kruglov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tszyu misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Kruglov.
Kruglov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kruglov working aggressively here.
Tszyu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tszyu tries a head kick but it misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tszyu.
Kruglov missing with a left hand there. Tszyu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tszyu misses the shot to the body.
Kruglov is looking to counter the offense by Tszyu and move into the clinch.
Kruglov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tszyu throws out the jab.
A low kick from Kruglov is predictable there
and Tszyu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tszyu looks to score with a jab to the body but Kruglov is just out of range.
Kruglov avoids the body shot from Tszyu.
Tszyu looks to land a right hand but Kruglov moved out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov tries to bum rush Tszyu with a series of wild strikes but Tszyu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kruglov is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice uppercut lands for Kruglov. That snapped Tszyu's head back.
Kruglov gets a clinch.
Kruglov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tszyu blocks it with crossed arms.
Kruglov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tszyu throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kruglov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tszyu backwards.
Kruglov slows down the pace here.
Tszyu manages to break the clinch.
Tszyu lands a really nice looking cross but Kruglov seems unphased.
Tszyu connects with a body shot that sends Kruglov's belly button to the back.
Nice body punch from Tszyu.
Kruglov tries to close the distance and clinch but Tszyu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tszyu appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A head kick from Tszyu lands but Kruglov takes it in his stride.
Kruglov scores with a jab to the jaw.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov throws a hook but Tszyu avoids it easily.
Tszyu swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tszyu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tszyu looks to land a left hand but Kruglov moved out of range nicely.
Kruglov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tszyu was well out of range. Poor timing from Kruglov.
Tszyu gets tackled into the cage by Kruglov. Kruglov maintains the clinch.
Tszyu misses with some punches.
Kruglov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tszyu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Tszyu.
Tszyu tries to throw a body punch but Kruglov avoids it by throwing Tszyu back against the cage.
Tszyu lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kruglov.
A hook to the body from Tszyu.
Tszyu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tszyu misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tszyu.
Tszyu breaks the clinch.
Kruglov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kruglov slips under a jab from Tszyu.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kruglov throws a shot from downtown. Tszyu moves away and avoids it.
Tszyu tries a quick counter leg kick but Kruglov is wise to it.
Tszyu lands a slapping body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kruglov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tszyu.
Tszyu scores with a spinning back kick!
Tszyu throws a lazy right hand but Kruglov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kruglov misses with a double jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tszyu. That's going to slow Kruglov down.
Kruglov slips under a jab.
Tszyu's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kruglov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Tszyu scrambles back to his feet.
Kruglov swinging wildly here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kruglov misses with a body shot.
Kruglov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tszyu swings for the body but Kruglov moves out of range.
Kruglov throws a poor cross that misses
and Tszyu counters with a low kick, right behind Kruglov 's knee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kostya Tszyu dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Kruglov blocks a head kick by Tszyu.
Tszyu throws a hook but Kruglov blocks it.
Kruglov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kruglov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kruglov wants to clinch.
Kruglov throws an off balance right hand
letting Tszyu counter with a right hand.
Tszyu misses with a head kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Kruglov blocks the leg kick.
Tszyu blocks a low kick nicely.
Tszyu is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kruglov with a body shot.
Tszyu misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kruglov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tszyu with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kruglov to score with a decent uppercut.
Kruglov moves out of range of the leg kick from Tszyu.
Kruglov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Tszyu scores with a body shot.
Kruglov misses with a series of wild punches.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruglov digs a good body shot into Tszyu's ribs.
Tszyu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tszyu connects with the punch.
Kruglov moves forwards but Tszyu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tszyu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kruglov.
Kruglov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tszyu! But no joy.
Tszyu catches Kruglov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tszyu sizes up Kruglov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kruglov takes a jab right on the kisser.
A low kick from Tszyu misses
and Kruglov counters by clinching up.
Kruglov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Tszyu tries a body shot but Kruglov blocks it.
Tszyu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tszyu swings wildly with an uppercut but Kruglov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kruglov blocks an uppercut.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov working aggressively here.
Tszyu scores with a hook to the body.
Kruglov missing with knees to the body.
Kruglov effectively controlling the action here.
Tszyu lands with a right to the head.
Tszyu breaks the clinch.
The fighters circling - Tszyu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tszyu lands with an overhand left.
Kruglov slips a jab and a cross from Tszyu.
Kruglov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kruglov connects with a crisp jab.
Tszyu slips under a jab.
Kruglov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tszyu.
Tszyu just misses with a punch to the body.
Tszyu misses with a head kick.
Kruglov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Tszyu just manages to avoid it.
Kruglov just misses with a punch to the body.
Tszyu now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu misses the jab.
Tszyu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kruglov manages to avoid it.
Tszyu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kruglov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kruglov lands a jab to the nose.
Kruglov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kruglov is looking to clinch but Tszyu is avoiding it.
Kruglov tries to clinch there but Tszyu circles away.
Tszyu throws a hook but Kruglov avoids it easily.
Kruglov looks to score with a jab to the body but Tszyu is just out of range.
Tszyu keeps the fight on the outside.
A good leg kick by Tszyu.
Tszyu takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kostya Tszyu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tszyu is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Tszyu tests Kruglov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kruglov misses with a hook.
It seemed like Tszyu was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Tszyu lands a glancing blow to the side of Kruglov's head.
Kruglov looks to throw the jab but Tszyu is out of range.
Tszyu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kruglov can pounce on him.
Kruglov throws a series of punches but Tszyu moves out of range.
Kruglov scores with a punch to the head.
A jab from Kruglov does it's job there.
Kruglov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tszyu can't find room to land a body shot as Kruglov controls the action.
Kruglov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tszyu has a couple of punches blocked by Kruglov.
Tszyu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kruglov's elbow.
Kruglov lands with a right to the head.
Tszyu tries to throw a body punch but Kruglov avoids it by throwing Tszyu back against the cage.
Kruglov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kruglov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tszyu blocks an uppercut.
Kruglov lands with a light punch inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Kostya Tszyu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Tszyu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kruglov.
Tszyu swings for the body but Kruglov moves out of range.
Tszyu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kruglov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Tszyu manages to circle out of the way.
Tszyu feints and then cracks Kruglov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kruglov down.
Kruglov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kruglov blocks a leg kick.
Kruglov 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.
Tszyu throws a leg kick but Kruglov moved away.
Tszyu throws a jab when Kruglov was well out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Kruglov misses the target.
Kruglov misses with a hook. Tszyu ducked under it nicely.
Kruglov moves away from the strike by Tszyu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A good leg kick by Kruglov.
Tszyu misses with a wild combination.
Kostya Tszyu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good leg kick by Tszyu there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tszyu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kruglov throws out the jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tszyu! But no joy.
Kruglov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tszyu. Kruglov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kruglov has Tszyu up against the cage in a clinch.
Kruglov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tszyu is working Kruglov over against the cage.
A short left from Kruglov.
Tszyu lands a left hand.
Kruglov prevents Tszyu from breaking the clinch.
Kruglov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tszyu throws a head punch that misses.
Tszyu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kruglov loads up on a big right hand but Tszyu slips the punch.
Tszyu moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tszyu loads up on a big right hand but Kruglov slips the punch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Tszyu darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu blocks the body kick.
Tszyu swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kruglov gets a clinch.
Tszyu lands an uppercut.
Tszyu misses with a punch on the inside.
Tszyu trying to land knees to the body.
Kruglov working aggressively here.
Tszyu gets through Kruglov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kruglov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tszyu.
A short left from Tszyu.
Kruglov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tszyu has a couple of punches blocked by Kruglov.
Tszyu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kruglov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tszyu is trying to break free.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kruglov.
A short uppercut from Tszyu.
Tszyu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Tszyu fails to land.
Tszyu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kruglovs head.
Tszyu looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Still in the clinch, Tszyu scores with a nice short uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Tszyu.
Tszyu missing with knees to the body.
Kruglov lands with a light punch inside.
Tszyu lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kruglov backwards.
Tszyu lands a left hand.
Tszyu misses with the head strike.
Tszyu misses with some punches.
Tszyu on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tszyu tries to throw a body punch but Kruglov avoids it by throwing Tszyu back against the cage.
Kruglov stalling the fight.
Tszyu lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tszyu manages to break the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circling - Kruglov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kruglov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tszyu.
Nice defenses there by Kruglov.
Kruglov is looking to counter the offense by Tszyu and move into the clinch.
Tszyu throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kruglov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tszyu scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice jab there from Tszyu.
Kruglov cracks Tszyu with a good jab.
Kruglov ducks right into an uppercut from Tszyu.
Tszyu throws a head kick but Kruglov moves out of range.
Tszyu is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Kruglov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tszyu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kruglov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kruglov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tszyu has time to react.
Kruglov throws a head kick that misses.
Kruglov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tszyu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kostya Tszyu really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Tszyu misses with a low kick.
Tszyu throws a body punch but Kruglov moves out of range.
Kruglov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Tszyu just manages to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Kruglov.
Kruglov throws a head kick that misses
and Tszyu counters with a left to the body.
Tszyu throws the left hand but Kruglov avoids the punch easily.
That kick from Tszyu tenderised Kruglov's leg. Kruglov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kruglov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Tszyu lands a jab.
Kruglov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tszyu scores with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kruglov throws out a powerful jab.
Kruglov misses with a lunging right hand
and Kruglov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tszyu misses with an uppercut
and Kruglov counters with a right hand to the body.
Tszyu scores with a hook to the body. Kruglov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tszyu lands with a good body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruglov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tszyu blocks a jab.
Kruglov rushes Tszyu and presses him up against the cage.
Tszyu lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kruglov or not.
A short right from Kruglov.
Tszyu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kruglov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tszyu blocks an uppercut.
Kruglov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tszyu lands a nice uppercut.
Tszyu working aggressively here.
Tszyu stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Tszyu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tszyu manages to break the clinch.
Tszyu stalks Kruglov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kruglov's face. Kruglov staggers backwards, shaken.
Kruglov moves forwards but Tszyu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tszyu throws a head kick but Kruglov moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Kruglov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kruglov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tszyu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kruglov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tszyu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tszyu misses with a wild body shot.
Tszyu clobbers Kruglov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Tszyu checks a leg kick.
Tszyu lands a jab-cross combination.
Tszyu throws a right and a left that Kruglov avoids nicely.
Tszyu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kruglov is looking to counter the offense by Tszyu and move into the clinch.
Tszyu ducks under a wild hook from Kruglov.
Tszyu thinks about the counter body kick.
Kruglov misses with a hook to the body
and Tszyu makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kruglov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kruglov misses with a straight left.
Tszyu swings widly with a right hand
and Kruglov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tszyu looks to score with a jab to the body but Kruglov is just out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tszyu.
A lazy left from Kruglov finds it's target.
Kruglov throws a hook but Tszyu avoids it easily.
Tszyu feints a counter leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kruglov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Tszyu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tszyu fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kruglov on the side of the head.
Kruglov misses with a low kick.
Tszyu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kruglov forces Tszyu back against the cage and clinches.
A nice left hand lands by Tszyu.
Kostya Tszyu seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kruglov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tszyu lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kruglov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tszyu backwards.
Tszyu can't find room to land a body shot as Kruglov controls the action.
Tszyu is trying to force a seperation but Kruglov has the dominant position.
Tszyu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kruglov blocking some punches.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu lands a nice uppercut.
Kruglov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Tszyu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tszyu tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tszyu throws a head punch that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tszyu as Kruglov tries to tie him up.
A hook to the body from Tszyu.
Tszyu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tszyu throws a leg kick but Kruglov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kruglov lands with a straight right. Tszyu didn't see that one coming.
Tszyu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tszyu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kruglov.
Tszyu throws the left hand but Kruglov avoids the punch easily.
And Kruglov counters with a quick kick to the body but Tszyu blocks it.
Tszyu swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kruglov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kostya Tszyu dominated that fourth 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. And we move into the final round!
Kruglov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tszyu to score with a decent uppercut.
Tszyu connects with a high kick.
Tszyu lands a nice looking body shot.
Kruglov misses with an uppercut.
Kruglov avoids the body shot from Tszyu.
An attempted straight right counter from Kruglov misses the target.
Kruglov throws a body shot but no joy.
Kruglov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tszyu lands a jab to Kruglov's midsection.
Tszyu misses with a body shot.
Tszyu takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kruglov!
Kruglov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tszyu moves away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A cross from Kruglov lands.
Tszyu throws a head kick that misses
enabling Kruglov to counter with a crisp jab.
Tszyu connects with a body shot that sends Kruglov's belly button to the back.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruglov moves in looking to clinch but Tszyu pushes him off.
Kruglov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tszyu connects with a right hand. Kruglov shakes it off.
Tszyu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kruglov.
Tszyu misses with a body shot.
Tszyu lands with an overhand left.
Kruglov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tszyu moves out of range of the strikes.
Kruglov checks a leg kick.
Tszyu moves out of range of the leg kick from Kruglov.
Tszyu wants to land a leg kick but Kruglov is out of range.
Kruglov thuds his right hand into Tszyu's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tszyu throws a head kick that misses.
Kruglov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tszyu.
Kostya Tszyu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kruglov.
Tszyu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kruglov wants to land a leg kick but Tszyu is out of range.
Kruglov swings for the body but Tszyu moves out of range.
Kruglov throws an overhand right that lands on Tszyu's shoulder, as Tszyu tries to avoid the shot.
Kruglov throws out a powerful jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kruglov misses with a hook. Tszyu ducked under it nicely.
Tszyu wants to slow Kruglov down by chopping away at his legs.
Tszyu connects with a body shot.
Tszyu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kruglov.
Kruglov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Anton Kruglov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kruglov throws a shot from downtown. Tszyu moves away and avoids it.
Tszyu looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kruglov throws a lazy right hand but Tszyu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It seemed like Tszyu was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kruglov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tszyu counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Tszyu.
A jab from Tszyu misses.
Kruglov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kruglov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kruglov blocks a body shot from Tszyu.
Kruglov can't find room to land a body shot as Tszyu controls the action.
Tszyu blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tszyu.
Kruglov swings wildly with an uppercut but Tszyu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kruglov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kruglov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kruglov misses with a punch on the inside.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tszyu has a couple of punches blocked by Kruglov.
Kruglov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tszyu backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tszyu.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kruglov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tszyu throws a head punch that misses.
Kruglov missing with knees to the body.
Tszyu misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Kruglov on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kruglov struggles to land a body shot inside as Tszyu controls his hands.
Tszyu lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kruglov.
Kruglov misses with a knee to the head.
Kruglov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kruglov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
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 Anton Kruglov.
I think Tszyu 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 46:49
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kostya Tszyu! Kostya Tszyu retains his middleweight title!
A very excited looking Kostya Tszyu made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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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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