Paul Slowinski v. Andre Meunier Fight Video

From this past Saturday, November 13 in Australia, here is the main event of Knees of Fury 31 - K-1 veteran Paul Slowinski v. Andre "The Giant" Meunier.  Slowinski has not had an extremely high profile year on an international level, although he has remained highly active in Australia, going 5-3 so far this year, with all but 2 of those fights taking place in Australia.  Meunier is a popular Austrlian fighter with pro boxing experience. 

This is a perfect example of what happens when you pair an intelligent veteran with a fighter still developing his technique.  Meunier is obviously rattled by Slowinski's heavy low kicks at the start, and over commits himself to avoiding taking more damage to his legs, making two major mistakes in the process.  First, he repeatedly drops his hands in an effort to block Slowinski's kicks.  This not only leaves his head exposed, it also is a good way to sustain an arm injury.  Second, when moving away from Slowinski's attack, he only focuses on moving his legs out of range, causing him to jump back with his legs, but leaving his head and upper body forward.  At the same time that he jumps back, he drops his hands.  Both of these defensive moves leave Meunier with his hands down, his head exposed. 

Slowinski reads this perfectly.  He throws a punch to get Meunier moving (the punch is hard to see from this angle as the referee partially blocks it), and steps forward with a kick.  Meunier anticipates another leg kick, drops his hands, and Slowinski drills him with a clean, unprotected shot to the head, knocking the big man out cold.  Beautiful use of reading an opponent's defenses there.