New Official KCMMA Heavyweight Rankings

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1.  Rob Phillipus
2.  David Hammons
3.  Derek Bohi
4.  Shane Grant
5.  Michael Tharp
6.  Jacob Combs
7.  Charles Penn
8.  Rey Inriquez
9.  Brandon Huckaby
10.Josh Brooks

Watch List:  Calab Eads, Brandon Cottrell, Derek Holly


INVICTUS 2 tonight! Interview with Main Event contender Jett Jones and copy of updated fight card.

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Contributor: Dave Jackson
Photography: Jerry Chavez

KCMMA.com ranked #2 Jett Jones fights in the main event against a very tough Henry Lindsay this Friday Night at 1Zero8’s promotion, Invictus 2.  It will be held at Shriners Ararat Temple in Kansas City, Missouri.  Tickets will be available at the door.  

KCMMA sat down with Jett Jones for an interview discussing his upcoming fight.  According to Jett, this will be his last amateur fight before turning professional.  

Really, Jett Jones needs no introduction.  He is staple in the Kansas City MMA scene.  He is probably in more fight entourages than anyone in Kansas City.  He is also a cornerman to many many fighters.  If you need to know who he is, all you have to do is look at any fight promotion around Kansas City and look for the most prominent mohawk.  100-1 odds says that it will be Jett.  

INTERVIEW WITH JETT JONES 
So, for me, the natural first question was:

Why the Mohawk?  
Jett:  My nephew, when he was 2, wanted a mohawk so we both got one.  Now its trademark, no one would recognize me without it.  

KCMMA: How did you get into the sport?  
Jett:  I grew up in Orange County California in a tough area.  Being one of the only white kids in the neighborhood, I had to learn how to hold my own.  My Dad always taught us that you never start fights, but you always finish them, and you always protect your family and friends.  

About six years ago, I was in a really bad accident where I was not hurt, but it changed me and made me think about my future.  I thought, I need to get back in shape and try out for an arena football team or something.  So, I went to the gym, Title Boxing and was hitting the bags when an area team boxing coach was recruiting me to come fight for him.  I went to the practice a few times, but at boxing class, there was also a Jiu Jitsu class going on.  I was really drawn to that.  I tried that out.  The coach said that he had a tournament coming up and he would appreciate people competing in it.  I had only two weeks experience but took first in both gi and no gi for my weight division.  From there, I was hooked.  


KCMMA:   What's your favorite strike/submission to use in any fight?  
Jett:  No doubt, knees to face.   


KCMMA:  Who is your biggest inspiration?
Jett:   MMA wise it would be Chuck Liddell, of course.  But, my father, Lloyd Jones, is my ultimate inspiration.  He passed away in 2006.  He was a football player for Jets and Redskins in the NFL and a great all around athlete.  I believe that I got my mental toughness from him.   

KCMMA:  What about Flash Gordon, I ask because of his tattoo?  
Jett:  Oh, that is part of my dad.   He got the nickname Flash” from his days as a track star setting school records at Brigham Young University.  
KCMMA:  Obvious next question, was he Mormon?  
Jett:  No, I don’t know how he ended up there.  
(Dang, this interviewed rocked, but if Jett was a fighting Mormon with a Mohawk?  Now, I don’t know why, but that would have made this interview stellar)


KCMMA:  Which team are you training with in preparation for your next bout?  
Jett:  AJJ is my home.  I have been there almost since I got into this sport, but I also train with Caveman Crew, Grindhouse, and 68 sports.  I have friends in many gyms around here.  

KCMMA:  Do you like to stand with your opponents or take them to the ground?  
Jett:  I work on all of it, but I would say standing up.  

KCMMA:  What does it mean (for you) to be a fighter?  In other words, When you tell people that you are a fighter, what is their reaction?  How do you explain why you like doing this?
I try to stay away from looking like a bully and wearing Tapout shirts. I don’t think it’s all about show.   I love the competition.  Have you seen 300?  Leonidas?  That’s my dad; that’s me.   It’s not “I am trained to be a fighter.”  It’s who I am.  I am a barbarian.  It’s my mindset.  If I were a gladiator in the old days, I would fight to the death.  

KCMMA:  What holes do you see in Henry Lindsay’s game?  
Jett:  I really don’t know a ton about him except that he ended his last fight with a flying knee.  He has some stand-up that I will have to contend with.  

KCMMA:  If you could have one dream fight with anyone, who would it be?  
Jett:  I would love to fight Chris Leban.  He has the one hit knockout power.  I don’t know, he just belongs on a soap opera.  


Where do you see yourself in the next 5 yrears.  
Jett:  At the minimum, in Strikforce or Bellator, but would like to see the UFC in the next five years.  

KCMMA:  What do you have to do to go there?  
Jett:  Well, currently, I run 12 miles a week.  I train with some of the top MMA people around.  If I am not at the gym, I am doing a bunch plyometrics in my backyard.  I guess, I will have to step that up.

FIGHT CARD FOR TONIGHT

Austin Evans vs Gabe Franklin 205lbs
Dominic Cantu vs Dustin Hill 155lbs
Ryan Painter vs. Sean Johnston 185lbs
Cody Trevino vs Travis Moore 135lbs
James Thayer vs Elias Parenti 155lbs
Tony Carrasco vs Johnnie Roades 35lbs
Rigo Aquirre vs Andrew Lawson 145lbs
Jared Wilburn vs Danny Mccullough 170lbs
Anthony Fredericks vs Chris Otterstein 155lbs
Francisco Carrasco vs Joe Perry 145lbs
LeMichael Hopkins vs P.J. O'Neil 155lbs
Jake Holsey vs David Hughes 170lbs
Zach Long vs Zack Ely 170 lbs
Adrian Pena vs Sean Johnston 185lbs
Hans Finkemeier vs Sean Fitzgerald 145lbs
Cody Kreitler vs Jason McIntosh 135lbs
Lonnie Tull vs Billy Benz 135lb Title
Stepahn Sweet vs Kelly Odneal 145lb Title
Roy Kontos vs Eric Ulleberg 170lb Title
Henry Lindsey vs Jett Jones 185lb Title

Clash in The Cage, TFF, May 4th Full Results and some Kansas City MMA gossip

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Clash in The Cage Results, as reported by Donnie Barnett














Cassie Walker125 GRAP Laticia Vargas--Winner, Vargas, Decision

Thomas Parkinson 155KB Jordan Cabra --Kickboxing--Parkinson via KO

Kyleb Collins 155 David Tate--Winner Kyleb Collins

Stephen Bridger 155 Logan Taylor--Winner Logan Taylor

Eric Catron VS Kevin Berry--Winner Kevin Berry

Shawn Skyler 135 Brody Roberts--Brody Roberts winner

Stephen O. 135KB Chance Camocho..Stephen O. Winner, TKO

Borden vs. Lan Lamberty-  140 GRAP --Borden, Winner, Rear Naked Choke

Andy Skinner vrs Brent Hopkins--Winner--Andy Skinner via Rear Naked Choke 

James Truesdell vrs Dave Smith-- winner Dave Smith by arm bar 

Henry Brewer 160 Robert Basney--Basney via Darce

Quincy Jackson 145KB Justin Danforth--Justin Danforth TKO

Jared Fricke 135 Title Raul Romero-  Jared Frick winner via Rear Naked Choke

Dakota Robinson vs.  205 Danny Klick--Danny Klick TKO

John Ford 155 US Title Jeremiah Denson--Jeremiah Denson win 3rd round Tap out

Kansas City Fighting Alliance Fight Card and Q&A with Super Duper Bobby Cooper. Professional fighter who is starring at Kansas City Fighting Alliance against Ted Worthington

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Contributor: Dave Jackson

Full Updated Fight Card for Kansas City Fighting Alliance 2 after the interview.  

This is going to be one of the best pro-am events to be held in Kansas City in a while.  Some exciting fights and some great match-ups that include Bellator and Ultimate Fighter contestant Eric Marriot, Bellator and Strikeforce veteran Brian Davidson, and an always exciting Bobby Cooper, who we just interviewed. 

Among the amateurs, you have a professional caliber Jason Witt (KCMMA ranked #1 at 170) dropping to 155 to face-off against rising star Eric Grant (KCMMA ranked #5).  This fight alone looks to be worth the price of admission.  Yet, there are still another eight amateur fights with some great match-ups.  

 If you have ever been to a live professional event, you know what all the excitement is all about.  If you have never been to a live event, this is one to be at for sure.  The tickets are a great price considering there will be professional fighters at this event, and considering the venue with every seat being a great seat.  

We sat down with Bobby Cooper to find out what he thinks about MMA, his carreer, and his upcoming fight.  Here it is.  

KCMMA: How did you get in to the sport?
SUPER DUPER: I got into the sport with Jose Vega. We went to high school together and had been great friends and when he started fighting and he encouraged me to try it out. 

KCMMA:   What's your favorite strike/submission to use in any fight?
SUPER DUPER: I think the Jab is the most important piece to my game. It sets up all of the fun things people like to see me do. Especially all the kicks I throw. Half of them would not land if it weren't for my set ups with my jab. My favorite submission would have to be the triangle.... I dont believe there's any better submission. Once you are in a good triangle it's basically game over! 

KCMMA: Who is your biggest inspiration?
SUPER DUPER:  My biggest inspiration in the fight game would have to be James Krause. This dude is straight up the biggest gym junkie i know! He's an amazing fighter that has had some unfortunate situations happen in his rise to make it big. After each one of these not so pleasant situations, he bounces back and just trains harder and learns more. How can you not look up to someone like that?


KCMMA:  Which team are you training with in preparation for your next bout? Who is intrumental in your preparation?  
SUPER DUPER:   In preparation to this fight, I've been training at Grindhouse in Lee's Summit and Firstblood MMA out of Knob Noster. James Krause and Jose Vega have been really important in my preperation by drilling me over gameplans forcing me to work harder. They both take extra time out of their own training and schedules to make sure im doing what i need to do to succeed. 


KCMMA: Do you like to stand with your opponents or take them to the ground?
SUPER DUPER:   Oh i like to stand for sure!! Anyone that has watched me fight knows that. I haven't had a fight yet that I've lost on my feet. I believe I am the best MMA welterweight striker in the area and enjoy oppurtunities to prove it and would enjoy fighting anyone that wants to think otherwise. 

KCMMA: What does it mean (for you) to be a fighter? In other words, When you tell people that you are a fighter, what is their reaction? How do you explain why you like doing this?
SUPER DUPER:   To me fighting is all about the sport, and the fact that, after high school and college, that I felt like I wasn't done being an athlete. I'm a hard worker, very athletic, and very talented person and I'd really hate myself if I did nothing with it. So when people ask me why do I like fighting or why do I like getting punched in the face the fact of the matter is I really don't like getting punched in the face but I love the competition and what it does for me. Plus the paychecks are pretty nice. 

KCMMA: What holes do you see in Ted Worthington's game?
SUPER DUPER: Ted Worthington is a game opponent. If you watch any of his fights, you see that he always comes in shape and hes damn near impossible to knock out. I think his biggest hole is hes too sloppy in his brawling. He takes the fact that he feels he can't be hurt and doesnt mine letting go of technique and getting punched. And I, for one, will be happy to punch him and look for that KO. 

KCMMA: What separates you from every other fighter in your division?
SUPER DUPER: I think the main thing that seperates me from most in my division is the fact that I'll take any fight. You ask any big show promotor around here, (Titan, VFC, RFA, KC Fighting Alliance) Ive told them get me on the show and give me your best welterweight. I can make a fight out of anyone. I dont believe theres anyone that can just come in and walk through me. I havnt been finished in my pro career and theirs a reason for that. 

9. If you could have one dream fight with anyone, who would it be?
SUPER DUPER: Honestly I dont have a dream fight. I dont think there's anyone that I'm like "MAN, I really want to fight him". I just take whoever management throws in front of me next and i fight them. Obviously id like to fight anyone in the UFC just for the chance to show my skills. I feel like there are many of 170 pounders in the UFC right now that I'm better than and I'm getting better and better everyday.  
10. What do you want to be remembered for at the end of your career? 
SUPER DUPER: When I'm done I want to be remembered as the guy who always brought it... Never backed down from anyone, never back down from a fight because of the thought of maybe losing, and just be remembered for the excitement brought to the fans watching me. That's what the sport is all about and that's what being an athlete is all about.


FIGHT CARD FOR KANSAS CITY FIGHTING ALLIANCE
----- Pro Card -------
Brian Davidson vs Charlie Dubray

Eric Marriott vs Chris Barnes

Bobby Cooper vs Ted Worthington

------ Amateur Card ------ 
Zach Hubbard vs Todd Hess
Eric Grant vs Jason Witt
Jeremy Smith vs Levi Thompson
Brie Grimes vs Jina Cole
Yazan Hajeh vs James Thayer
Miguel Morgan vs Brent Hopkins
Jay Kalahurka vs Justin Lawrence
Tevin Burnett vs Lamichael Hopkins
Sam Blanton vs Ray Miller

Interviews with #5 Marques Jackson and #7 Trey Johnson about their upcoming fight at Kansas City Fighting Alliance 2

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KCMMA headed to Grindhouse gym in Lee's Summit, MO to get an interview with KC Native professional MMA fighter Brian Davidson about his upcoming fight where he is the main event at Kansas City Fighting Alliance 2 at Truman Memorial Building in Independence, MO.  Brian had something come up and couldn’t meet, but promised an interview this Friday at his Grappling Tournament.  

However, we caught up with the other fighter we came to see, Marques Jackson, who will be the main event of the amateur card at Kansas City Fighting Alliance 2.  Marques and I trained striking with James Krause as the instructor. Also in attendence during this session was newest UFC fighter and KC fighter Tim Elliot and his wife, who is also a professional fighter.  Also, professional MMA fighter and Kansas City native  Zak Cummings was there and is a total beast.  I learned how to go for a ride in a triangle sweep and get darc’d.  

During the session Marques was able to display some of his smooth transitions from striking to the double leg takedowns.  I have to admit, Marques is elusively fast.  He is a super nice guy too.  I have known him for awhile, but never had the opportunity to train with him.  I can tell he would be a big asset to the Grindhouse gym with his great attitude and willingness to help out.  

After training and rolling with some guys at Grindhouse, I shot a little footage of Marques Jackson sparring with Zak Cummings and sat down with Marques for a quick interview.  He discusses his opponent and has a few words.  After watching the video, make sure you catch Trey Johson’s response to this video.  Here it is:


“I’m not into talking trash, but I have seen Marques fight.  He doesn’t think I have as good of wrestling as me.  That’s fine with me, I’m not trying to turn this into a wrestling match.  This is MMA.  Wherever it goes is cool.”  Says Trey Johnson.

Trey is a rising star in amateur MMA in Kansas City.  Our website has him ranked at #7 in KC with a record of 4-1.  Since his second fight with a very tough Tony Cardello, Johnson has been on KCMMA.com’s radar.  Although it was a loss, it was a very impressive performance against a very strong opponent.  

Talking to Trey, Its hard to believe that he is just 18 years old.  He has already have five fights, and his head seems to be squarely on his shoulders and he knows the direction he wants to go.  “I see this as I have nothing to lose.  Even if I lose, it will only help me reach me my ultimate goals.  When I lost to Tony, I learned what I needed to work on.  This is the level I want to learn this stuff at”.  

I ask all young amateurs this: “Do you see yourself in the UFC one day”.  Reserved in his manner, he finally told me that “yeah, I do.  I look up to fighters like Rory MacDonald and Jon Jones.  I feel like I work hard; I have the right team; and my coach, Dustin Garrens, pushes me to be my best.  And, my dad is my strength and conditioning coach”.  He has a plan, and the people to make that happen. By the way, Trey is very respectful to his parents.  “They have been everything to me”.  
KCMMA’s take on this fight:  

Both (#7)Trey Johnson and (#5) Marques Jackson have really good striking and both have some great wrestling.  However, rarely have we seen either on their back so it will be very interesting to see who wins the takedown war.  Both have heavy hands and it could end in a moments notice, but it will be conditioning and heart that dictates who wins this fight.  In any case, expect a war at Truman Memorial Building, Kansas City Fight Alliance on April 27th.  


Official KCMMA 185 Pound Rankings!!

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For other rankings, please go here.  This will also explain some of the rules


1)  Chad Williams

2)  Jett Jones

3)  Jason Perrotta

4)  Phil Morgan

5)  Marques Jackson

6)  Tony Cardello

7)  Trey Johnson

8)  Roland Cormack

9)  Steven Harris

10)Travis Courter

Inactive:  Robbie Ray, Military, Ryan Painter, Jeremy Miller, Moved to Pro: Henry Chionuma.  Formerly Ranked, Elijah Lindstedt and Andy Fleming

Official KCMMA 185 Pound Rankings!!

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For other rankings, please go here.  This will also explain some of the rules


1)  Chad Williams

2)  Jett Jones

3)  Jason Perrotta

4)  Phil Jones

5)  Marques Jackson

6)  Tony Cardello

7)  Trey Johnson

8)  Roland Cormack

9)  Steven Harris

10)Travis Courter

Inactive:  Robbie Ray, Military, Ryan Painter, Jeremy Miller, Moved to Pro: Henry Chionuma.  Formerly Ranked, Elijah Lindstedt and Andy Fleming

Another take on James Krause’s Fight on UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter Live

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Contributor: Dave Jackson
Photos: Copyrights, Jerry Chavez


Carma and Kapone don’t give a s#*t.  James Krause’s pit bull and boxer were just happy to see dad.  Shynell doesn’t care that he lost, she was just happy to see her newly wed husband.  It was everyone else who had the opinions on Krause’s controversial and devastating loss on the biggest stage in mixed marial arts.    

After trying out for The Ultimate Fighter show twice before, James Krause finally made the show that has made the sport of MMA and UFC explode.  This was a dream come true for the Kansas City native Krause family.  All of the hard work in the gym and training were finally paying off.  Now this was Krause’s time to shine and show the world why he is one of the world’s elite mixed-martial artists.  

This all came to a crashing halt on Friday, March 16th.  In a new format, Fox Entertainment brought UFC and the show The Ultimate Fighter to their sister channel, FX.  32 fighter in 16 fights would fight to be on the rest of the show and be in the house for reality television.  

The event would take place live in front of millions on national television and would include fighters from all walks of life and disciplines.  And, this would be the largest television audience for this show ever.  

Each fight would consist of only one five minute round.  A sanctioned fight is usually three five minute rounds.  Basically, each fighter had five minutes of war to prove that they belong in “the house.”    This venue was brutal.  Five minutes?  Is that enough for these fighters to prove that they belong in mixed martial arts premier league of the UFC?  It doesn’t matter, that is the cold hard truth of reality television.  

Mistakes were bound to happen.

Twitter and Facebook lit up when they announced that Krause would be fighting next.  Who would he be fighting?   Krause who was 13-4 would face off against another Missouri native in Justin Lawrence (3-0).  To most this seemed like a great match-up for Krause.  Veteran vs. little known rookie so to speak.  

Discussing the events with Krause the other day, he said “I knew Justin was solid.  I have held mits for him before a fight”.  Being that they were both from Missouri, they were bound to know each other.  “I knew he had some serious kick boxing”.  However, James says, “I was not the least bit scared to fight him”.  

The bell rung and both fighters came out a little cautious.  The taller James was getting his feel for the range with a few missed or barely grazing jabs, and Justin with an entertaining roundhouse whiff.  James continued stalking Justing backing him up and landing a nice jab.  It was on and Justin landed a nice combination and shot in for the double leg take down.  

Timeout.  This is where the controversy starts.  
James Krause just got KTFO.  

As one fan puts it, “There was no way that Krause loses like that”.  Something was wrong, WAY wrong,  and people who know James Krause and his capabilities were going to dissect this fight to see what happened.  Others, not so familiar with Krause, just chalked it up as another loss.

James Krause
(KCMMA’s disclaimer: we are operating out of a biased state for our Kansas City native fighter. although we believe that what we are saying is accurate).  

In real time on television, it appeared to be a vicious perfectly executed take down.  However, video shows that the top of Lawrence’s head landed squarely on Krause’s chin.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1DK1qzmzu4 .  Some say that there was no head butt, but watch the video again.  Slow it down.  It is clear there was a head butt.  

Theory- at this point, he was knocked out and the punches from Lawrence swarming on top for the finish woke Krause back up.  Krause  explains that “I remember nothing from that point until I got back into the locker room.”  Many experts will tell you that when you are knocked out, you can operate on autopilot.  He woke up from the punches in a dazed state.   Also in the mix was an illegal knee to the face of a downed opponent.  However, although it obviously didn’t help, it also was not “the” damning factor.  

Krause was able to stand back up, but it was clear that something was wrong.  He was wobbling James explains that “my ankle was messed up from it buckling at the point I got knocked out from the headbutt.”  

From this point, Krause just looks like he was getting “handled” by a swarming Justin Lawrence.  Like any good MMA fighter, Lawrence went in for the kill and finished the fight.  He did not let James recover and rightfully so.  He did what he was trained to do.

It needs to be made clear here that there should be no blame placed on Justin Lawrence.  It was an accidental head butt.  It was just that--Accidental.  Justin did the right thing and Justin won the fight.  Putting blame on Justin Lawrence is not the contention here.  

This is also not excuses made from Krause or for Krause.  It is simply what happened.  He was ready to just accept defeat.  In fact, Krause had no idea what happened.  “I thought he must have hit me with an overhand right.  I have never been hit that hard.  In 19 professional fights, I have never been knocked out and have only been knocked down once, so it was new to me.”  

It wasn’t until Krause was told to watch the fight and look at the possible illegal knee to see if that might have been what did the damage.  After slowing the fight down, he was able to see for himself where the damage came from.  The fight definitely hit a turning point at the time of the take down and accidental headbutt.  

“I know Justin Lawrence didn’t mean to.  It is just something that happens”, says Krause.  

However, KCMMA chooses to explore what should have happened.  Accidents do and will always happen.  It is the nature of this sport.  However, there are rules that are designed to make it a little more fair to the injured athlete.  

In a perfectly regulated fight, when any sort of accidental blow occurs, the referee should be there to pause the fight and allow the fighter five minutes to recover.  

Steve Mazzagatti, a very experienced, but notorious mixed martial arts referee is well known for such mistakes.  It is well documented the mistakes this particular referee has made.  We could go on and on about the different controversies over this referee, but just don’t have the time for this article.  If you want, though, just google it and you will find plenty.

The simple fact here is that he failed to recognize this infraction and halt the fight.  At the very least, Krause should have been given five minutes to recover.  

The Five minute recovery was not awarded and many believe that Krause was “robbed” of his shot at making it on the show.  

Of course there are also those who choose to believe that Krause just took a beating and he, his friends, and fans are just making excuses.  They contend that he slammed his chin into the top of Lawrence’s head and should just accept the loss and move on.  

Some of these people were those Krause considered friends and fans.  Now that he lost, his so-called fans and friends are there to point out what he did wrong and how he could have won this fight.  They were all backing Krause when he was up.  However, they were nowhere to be found after he has lost his fight on TUF Live on FX.  

In the interview, Krause asked if I saw his tweet: “When the shit hits the fan you find out who’s down to ride and who wants a free ride, real quick”.  

It definitely hit the fan Krause, but there are many here in Kansas City who will see you back at the top and are “down to ride”.  
Fighter James Krause

Although, there are many people who were shocked, it is clear that most know that James will get his shot again someday.  Like the persistence it took to get on the show, The Ultimate Fighter, he will look at this as just another setback and keep training for the next big opportunity.

"To hell with circumstances, I create opportunities."  Bruce Lee


While in seclusion inside of of The Ultimate Fighter Live on FX training camp, he knew he could count on-Shynel (His wife), his Grindhouse crew (his gym), some friends, and last but not least, Carmen and Kapone (his dogs).  

Krause was on the biggest stage, and was nervous about letting people down.  However, you know there are some who will always be there supporting you..  In a Facebook post after the fight, Shynel Krause demonstrates that support.  “Got 4 hours of sleep last night and getting ready to pick my babe James Krause up from the airport.  Today is one of those bittersweet days.”  Carma and Kapone just licked him to death when he got home!!