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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Riccuito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Svyatoslav Vakarchuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riccuito comes to the cage accompanied by walk hard . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 193 cm
35
262 lbs
26 - 14 - 1 |
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190 cm
30
250 lbs
12 - 8 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Excellent grappler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
26 - 14 - 1, fighting out of New York, Mark Riccuito!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jorge Garcia and David Schapiro.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riccuito clinches.
Riccuito is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Vakarchuk is defending well for now.
Vakarchuk manages to pull guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Vakarchuk escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Riccuito gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Vakarchuk is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Riccuito stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Riccuito dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Riccuito instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vakarchuk drags the fight down to the ground.
Riccuito postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vakarchuk escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Riccuito gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Vakarchuk escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Riccuito gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Vakarchuk looking for a guillotine here but Riccuito defends easily.
Riccuito trying to stand up but can't free himself from Vakarchuk's guard.
Our spies down at at Russian Top Team Elite Gym inform us that Vakarchuk has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Riccuito gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Riccuito is looking to clinch.
Vakarchuk tries to keep at a distance but Riccuito has taken the fight into the clinch.
Riccuito misses with a hook to the ribs.
Vakarchuk is trying to pull guard but Riccuito has him pressed against the cage.
Riccuito misses with an elbow strike.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vakarchuk blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Riccuito throws a punch but it's blocked by Vakarchuk.
Vakarchuk jumps guard and drags Riccuito to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Vakarchuk looking for a sweep. Not yet Vakarchuk, not yet.
Vakarchuk is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Vakarchuk is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Riccuito defends well.
Riccuito wants to stand but Vakarchuk is controlling his posture from full guard.
Vakarchuk working for a triangle but Riccuito defends it easily.
Vakarchuk has his foot on Riccuito's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Riccuito works his way back into a safe position though.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riccuito stands up from Vakarchuk's guard - Riccuito perhaps looking for a knockout.
Riccuito thumps Vakarchuk with a low kick.
Riccuito fails with an attempt to clinch.
And Vakarchuk tries to counter it with a takedown but Riccuito pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Vakarchuk misses with a takedown attempt - Riccuito sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vakarchuk circles away from the clinch attempt
and Vakarchuk cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Riccuito wants to clinch up but Vakarchuk keeps it at a distance.
A nice side step and Vakarchuk releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Riccuito moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Vakarchuk shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Riccuito but Riccuito pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mark Riccuito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Svyatoslav Vakarchuk.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vakarchuk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Riccuito fails in his attempt to clinch.
Riccuito has managed to clinch.
Vakarchuk jumps guard and drags Riccuito to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Riccuito stopping the sweep attempt from Vakarchuk.
Vakarchuk controls Riccuito momentarily but Riccuito frees himself.
Vakarchuk is looking for a triangle but Riccuito pushes his legs off easily.
Riccuito stands up and waves to Vakarchuk to follow him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Riccuito has taken the fight to the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Mark Riccuito will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!
Riccuito misses with a body shot.
Vakarchuk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vakarchuk keeps the fight on the outside.
Vakarchuk feints the counter takedown.
Riccuito leaves Vakarchuk with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Riccuito delivers a nice body kick.
Riccuito cracks Vakarchuk with a good jab.
Riccuito fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vakarchuk let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vakarchuk fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Riccuito to the ground. Vakarchuk is now in Riccuito's guard.
Svyatoslav Vakarchuk has got the better of the ground game so far.
Riccuito is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Vakarchuk distracts Riccuito with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Riccuito pushes Vakarchuk off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Riccuito has Vakarchuk up against the cage in a clinch.
Vakarchuk blocks an elbow strike.
Riccuito throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Riccuito tries to work over Vakarchuk's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vakarchuk on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vakarchuk.
Riccuito tries to land knees in the clinch but Vakarchuk avoids the damage to the body.
Vakarchuk jumps guard.
Riccuito gets to his feet - Vakarchuk follows without any prompting.
Riccuito displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vakarchuk.
Mark Riccuito seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Vakarchuk.
Riccuito tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Vakarchuk manages to circle out of the way.
Mark Riccuito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Svyatoslav Vakarchuk.
Vakarchuk shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Riccuito as he avoids it easily.
Riccuito wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Riccuito moves in looking to clinch but Vakarchuk pushes him off.
Riccuito doesn't manage to clinch there - Vakarchuk circles away.
Vakarchuk tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Riccuito is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Riccuito tries to close the distance and clinch but Vakarchuk swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Riccuito looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vakarchuk with the counter takedown but Riccuito avoids it easily.
Riccuito misses with a hook.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Vakarchuk! But no joy.
Vakarchuk shoots for a takedown but Riccuito saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Riccuito appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riccuito tries to clinch but Vakarchuk is having none of it.
Riccuito tries to clinch
and Vakarchuk counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Riccuito fails with an attempt to clinch.
Riccuito throws a series of punches but Vakarchuk avoids them all with ease.
Vakarchuk changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Riccuito tries to close the distance and clinch but Vakarchuk swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vakarchuk changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Vakarchuk drives through and clinches with Riccuito against the cage.
Vakarchuk is trying to pull guard but Riccuito has him pressed against the cage.
Riccuito misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vakarchuk jumps guard but Riccuito turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Riccuito scores with a hook to the body.
Riccuito misses with some punches.
Riccuito misses with a shot to the kidneys.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vakarchuk managing to block the knees to the body from Riccuito.
Vakarchuk blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Riccuito fails to land.
Vakarchuk pulls Riccuito into guard.
Vakarchuk looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Riccuito wants to stand but Vakarchuk has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Riccuito decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Vakarchuk, up you get!
Riccuito fakes the leg kick and cracks Vakarchuk in the body.
Vakarchuk takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Riccuito tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vakarchuk closes this distance looking for a takedown but Riccuito circles away.
Riccuito is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Vakarchuk.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Mark Riccuito dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Riccuito tries to close the distance and clinch but Vakarchuk swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Riccuito throws a leg kick but Vakarchuk moved away.
Riccuito rushes Vakarchuk and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Riccuito fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vakarchuk fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Riccuito misses with a punch on the inside.
Riccuito tries to throw a body punch but Vakarchuk avoids it by throwing Riccuito back against the cage.
Riccuito gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
It looks like Svyatoslav Vakarchuk has been cut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Riccuito.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vakarchuk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Riccuito smiles and moves away.
Vakarchuk closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Riccuito to the mat! Riccuito manages to get full guard.
Riccuito has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Vakarchuk off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mark Riccuito is winning the standup battle so far.
Riccuito tries to clinch but Vakarchuk moves out of range.
Riccuito is looking to clinch.
A little jabbing left from Vakarchuk on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Vakarchuk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Riccuito is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vakarchuk can do to turn this around?
Riccuito tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Vakarchuk manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vakarchuk is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Vakarchuk fails with the takedown.
Mark Riccuito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Svyatoslav Vakarchuk.
Riccuito connects with a nice looking jab.
Vakarchuk swats away the attempt to clinch by Riccuito.
Vakarchuk is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Riccuito tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vakarchuk swats him away and circles back towards the center.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vakarchuk keeps the fight on the outside.
Riccuito tries to clinch there but Vakarchuk circles away.
Riccuito tries to clinch up but Vakarchuk circles away and keeps his distance.
Vakarchuk wants to counter the offense by Riccuito and move into the clinch position.
Vakarchuk keeps the fight on the outside.
Riccuito is looking to clinch.
Riccuito tries to clinch but Vakarchuk is having none of it.
Riccuito scores with a one two! Vakarchuk had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Riccuito tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Vakarchuk manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vakarchuk tries to counter by closing the distance.
Vakarchuk swats away the attempt to clinch by Riccuito.
Mark Riccuito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Riccuito fails with an attempt to clinch.
Riccuito darts in and clinches Vakarchuk up against the cage.
Mark Riccuito has scored more points in the clinch so far.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vakarchuk on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Riccuito goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Riccuito scores with a hook to the body.
Riccuito misses with a short punch on the inside.
Riccuito has a couple of punches blocked by Vakarchuk.
Riccuito fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Riccuito struggles to land a body shot inside as Vakarchuk controls his hands.
Riccuito misses with a short punch on the inside.
Riccuito comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Vakarchuk drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vakarchuk takes a knee to the side of the body.
Vakarchuk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riccuito scores a nice knee to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vakarchuk.
Riccuito scores with a nice hook to the head.
Riccuito throws an elbow but it misses.
Vakarchuk blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vakarchuk works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vakarchuk stops Riccuito from standing up.
The fighters are working up against the cage. Riccuito manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Riccuito lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
That has opened up Svyatoslav Vakarchuk's cut even more.
Riccuito doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Mark Riccuito clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Svyatoslav Vakarchuk's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Riccuito wants to clinch.
Riccuito tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vakarchuk feints the counter takedown.
Riccuito slips under a jab.
Riccuito tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vakarchuk paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Vakarchuk looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Riccuito tries to clinch but Vakarchuk moves away
and Vakarchuk counters with a takedown into side control.
Riccuito defending against the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riccuito pushes Vakarchuk away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Vakarchuk gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Vakarchuk goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Riccuito has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Vakarchuk but great work by Riccuito.
Vakarchuk tries to buck Riccuito off but Riccuito is having none of it.
Riccuito stands up.
Riccuito tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Vakarchuk manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vakarchuk now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Vakarchuk shoots in for a takedown but Riccuito shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vakarchuk swats away the attempt to clinch by Riccuito.
Riccuito wants to clinch.
And Vakarchuk tries to counter it with a takedown but Riccuito pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Riccuito tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Riccuito wants to clinch but Vakarchuk slips to the side
and Vakarchuk counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Riccuito keeping moving, preventing Vakarchuk from controlling successfully.
Riccuito wants to get back to his feet but Vakarchuk is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Vakarchuk looking to pass the guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vakarchuk works over Riccuito with some ground and pound from guard.
Riccuito wants to stand up but Vakarchuk is controlling him.
Vakarchuk is in close to Riccuito's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Vakarchuk makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Vakarchuk working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Riccuito wants to stand and escape but Vakarchuk is having none of it.
Vakarchuk works over Riccuito with some ground and pound from guard.
Vakarchuk is stalling in the full guard.
Vakarchuk connects with a couple of short punches.
Vakarchuk trying to control the position from guard on top but Riccuito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vakarchuk scoring with some ground and pound.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vakarchuk throws a big right hand that misses.
Vakarchuk trying to control but Riccuito is working from the bottom.
Vakarchuk content to stall in guard here.
Riccuito is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Vakarchuk keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Riccuito's head.
Riccuito scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Vakarchuk circles away from the clinch attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riccuito tries to clinch but Vakarchuk moves out of range.
Vakarchuk drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Riccuito defends it well.
Riccuito stuffs the takedown.
Riccuito is looking to clinch.
Riccuito tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Riccuito stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Riccuito wants it to stay on the feet.
Vakarchuk just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromRiccuito.
Mark Riccuito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Svyatoslav Vakarchuk.
Riccuito tries to clinch but Vakarchuk moves out of range.
And Vakarchuk tries to counter it with a takedown but Riccuito pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Riccuito tries to clinch there but Vakarchuk circles away.
Riccuito throws a lazy right hand but Vakarchuk sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vakarchuk avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Riccuito rushes Vakarchuk and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Riccuito.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Svyatoslav Vakarchuk will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Svyatoslav Vakarchuk's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Riccuito swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Vakarchuk moves into the clinch.
Vakarchuk dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Vakarchuk changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Riccuito fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Riccuito throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Vakarchuk on the side of the head.
Riccuito moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Riccuito tries to work over Vakarchuk's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vakarchuk jumps guard but Riccuito stands there with Vakarchuk around his waist. Vakarchuk gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Vakarchuk blocking some punches.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Vakarchuk is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Mark Riccuito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Svyatoslav Vakarchuk.
Riccuito gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Riccuito lands a damaging elbow.
Vakarchuk managing to block the knees to the body from Riccuito.
Riccuito is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Vakarchuk is defending well for now.
Vakarchuk is trying to pull guard but Riccuito has him pressed against the cage.
Riccuito gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Vakarchuk on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Riccuito.
Vakarchuk managing to block the knees to the body from Riccuito.
Vakarchuk avoids a wild elbow strike from Riccuito.
Mark Riccuito is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riccuito tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vakarchuk tries to pull guard but Riccuito forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Vakarchuk pulls Riccuito into guard.
Riccuito got a little sloppy there for a moment and Vakarchuk has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Riccuito has managed to get both his arms back between Vakarchuk's legs - danger averted.
Riccuito decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Vakarchuk, up you get!
Riccuito misses with a body kick.
Riccuito fails in his attempt to clinch.
A little jabbing left from Vakarchuk on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Vakarchuk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Riccuito throws out the jab.
Vakarchuk is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Riccuito gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vakarchuk jumps guard but Riccuito stands there with Vakarchuk around his waist. Vakarchuk gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Riccuito.
Vakarchuk pulls guard successfully.
Riccuito has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Vakarchuk is proving hard to escape from.
Vakarchuk looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Vakarchuk trying to keep a closed guard but Riccuito is proving a slippery customer.
Riccuito has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Vakarchuk is proving hard to escape from.
Vakarchuk looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vakarchuk doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Vakarchuk has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Riccuito stopping the sweep attempt from Vakarchuk.
Vakarchuk throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Riccuito decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Vakarchuk, up you get!
Riccuito tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Vakarchuk manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Vakarchuk.
Riccuito looks to clinch
enabling Vakarchuk to counter with a crisp jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Riccuito looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Svyatoslav Vakarchuk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vakarchuk closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Riccuito quickly recovers to half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Riccuito showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Riccuito has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 49:46
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 49:46
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Riccuito!
Mark Riccuito retains his heavyweight title!
Mark Riccuito spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.
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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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