First off, let me say this was a great tactical fight. You have Buakaw, at the time (and still today, IMO) the ATG best in K-1 Max's short history, in his absolute prime at 25 years old. Buakaw was coming off his 2nd K-1 Max GP title victory and a 15 fight unbeaten streak. Then you have Petrosyan who was a few months away from turning 22. He was already 25-1-1 in kickboxing but IMO he was still a little green as a fighter. Enjoy the fight, and be sure to post your scorecards when you're done. :good Part 1: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2_cPkRhDeg&feature=related[/ame] Part 2: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKSyhXyKN1M&feature=related[/ame] Ignore the announcers, who are acting like total douchebags and ignoring the fight half the time. It's more enjoyable to watch on mute, tbh.
In terms of the significance of this fight: IMO the draw with a prime Buakaw is the most impressive fight on Petrosyan's resume, much more so than beating a slightly faded Souwer for the title. When I saw it on his record I was very impressed, but after watching this fight I am not so sure anymore. Personally, I scored this fight 3 rounds to 1 for Buakaw, with 1 even. I was pretty surprised in terms of the verdict, though most rounds were close. Also, a rematch today would not be nearly as significant for Petrosyan. Buakaw is a couple of years past his best nowadays after over 200 pro fights, a win over a 2011 Buakaw is not the same as one over a 2007 Buakaw would have been.
buakaw deserved the win, if it had been in thailand where kicks count for more he would have won it clearly with superior kicks and knees. round 1 Buakaw round 2 Buakaw round 3 Buakaw round 4 Petrosyan round 5 ... hard to say.. so Ill just gift it to Petrosyan thats 3 to 2 for Buakaw. Petro did better in the latter rounds with landing punches (not many) and pushed buakaw back more buakaw was not as active in these rounds, but still I think it was close but clearly a buakaw victory. Buakaw is in my opinion, the best of the k-1 middleweights, he got robbed a lot in Japan a Europe and it's because he is Thai. K-1 pecking order: Buakaw>Petrosyan>Souwer>Masato>Kraus>Sato. Though Petro can surpass him if K-1 has an event this year and Petro wins the tournemt for the third time in a row.
Great post, I agree man. Buakaw just seemed to have done a little more damage and landed a little better with both his kicks AND his knees. Petrosyan is a great fighter and I am so glad he stepped up to face a prime Buakaw and gave us a good performance, but the draw was too generous for him IMO.
