BYB Extreme Fighting Series Announces BYB 16: Desert Brawl, the First-Ever  Bare Knuckle Boxing Event in the Gulf-Region

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BYB Extreme Fighting Series Announces BYB 16: Desert Brawl, the First-Ever  Bare Knuckle Boxing Event in the Gulf-Region

BYB 16 in Association with CoreSports will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in the United Arab Emirates

Dubai, UAE – After closing 2022 out with historical firsts, including the first-ever sanctioned women’s bare knuckle matches in the United Kingdom and South Carolina’s first-ever bare knuckle fighting event, BYB CEO Gregory Bloom announced today that the US-based BYB Extreme Fighting Series will host the first-ever bare knuckle boxing event in the Gulf-region.  BYB 16: Desert Brawl will take place St. Patrick’s Day weekend at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in the United Arab Emirates in the heart of the city’s Irish Village.

The historic night of fights will be held in association with CoreSports, a UAE-born and based international sports event company and broadcasting platform. Since its launch in 2018, CoreSports has prided itself on providing sports fans worldwide with exclusive content from Strongman and Powerlifting to Boxing, MMA and ArmWrestling.  

“BYB promised to bring bare knuckle boxing to a mainstream, global audience, and BYB 16 will be the next step in doing just that,” said Bloom. “The UAE has fast become a cultural hub and international destination for sports and entertainment. Through BYB 16 and our partnership with CoreSports, BYB will spread its reach at that of bare knuckle boxing to not only the UAE, but to countries throughout the region, as well as to parts of Europe and South Asia.”

BYB 16 tickets will be available later this week.  You can sign up to watch BYB 16 Live at: app.coresports.tv/signup.

In the coming days and weeks, BYB will be announcing more details on the event, as well as the remaining schedule of shows – both domestic and abroad – for the 2023 year.  BYB’s next show, BYB 15; Broward Brawl takes place Friday, February 3 in Miramar, FL.

For more information, follow @bybextreme and @coresportsworld on social media. 

ABOUT BYB

Originating in South Florida with backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BYB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle boxing into a more structured product for a wider, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BYB has worked diligently to grow the reach of bare knuckle boxing on both a domestic and international level, hosting events in Wyoming, Mississippi, Florida and London, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States globally to expand the fanbase growing sport of bare knuckle boxing. For more information on BYB, visit bybextreme.com and follow @bybextreme on social.

ABOUT CORESPORTS

CoreSports is a UAE born and based international sports event company and broadcasting platform specializing in developing and delivering sporting projects from the point of conception to the point of execution. Launched in 2018, Coresports prides itself on providing sports fans worldwide with exclusive content from Strongman and Powerlifting to Boxing, MMA and ArmWrestling.  With an impressive ever growing subscription base of over 100,000 active subscribers, Coresports is now partnering with BYB Extreme; adding Bare Knuckle Boxing to its repertoire, continuing to provide fans unforgettable action packed live and streaming experiences.

Coming off Historic 2022 BYB Announces Series of Initiatives Slated for 2023

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Coming off Historic 2022 BYB Announces Series of Initiatives Slated for 2023

Miami, FL – Born in the backyard of Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris at his renowned Greenhouse in West Perrine, developed by visionary Miami businessman Mike Vazquez, and now lead by combat sports veteran Gregory Bloom, the Miami-based BYB Extreme Fighting Series announced today a number of initiatives slated for 2023 on the heels of its historic 2022.

Bloom, who took over CEO duties this past September from Vazquez, announced today that BYB will open its 2023 campaign at the Miramar National Guard Armory on February 3, and laid out plans for subsequent events.

Said Bloom, “2022 was an incredible year for our company, and 2023 is already looking to dwarf those accomplishments.  After our kickoff at home in South Florida this February, in the first half of 2023, BYB will put on a pair of international shows on two separate continents, an exhibition in a new state and in one of the country’s top DMAs, and roll out a handful of disruptive partnerships that are sure to realign the fight sports landscape.” 

Since 2015, BYB has created a blueprint for upstart combat sports to position themselves for mainstream popularity, without sacrificing the lessons learned via its community-based roots in poverty-riddled West Perrine. 

“In those early days,” Harris says, “the backyard was a way for the community to come together in a healthy and respectful way.  We harnessed aggression and frustration that was festering in the neighborhood and turned it into a positive. Whether we are in South Florida, Carolina or London, that attitude and commitment continues today.”

Said Vazquez, “The sport comes first. From top to bottom, our leadership team is composed of individuals with a track record of success and respectability in sports, entertainment and business. Taking cues from Dada’s early days at the Greenhouse and lessons learned from decades of experience, BYB has developed its own home-grown stars, taking a slow, long-term and strategic approach to roll-out and growth, and is positioning our brand and talent to flourish for years to come.”  

He added, “BYB matches are built to bring out the best in competitors and, in turn, the sport.  Spectators leave our shows knowing they were at a genuine sporting event with bonafide athletes. The quick, action-filled rounds and matches in the smallest fighting surface in combat sports are structured to leave viewers – in the arena or watching around the world – entertained.” 

With the full-time involvement of Bloom, who previously served as BYB’s counsel and has almost 20 years of combat sports experience, BYB is committed to positioning itself as not just a leader in bare knuckle fighting, but in combat sports.   

Among 2022’s historic highlights alluded to above, BYB:

  • hosted the first-ever sanctioned women’s bare knuckle event in UK history;
  • hosted he first-ever women’s championship match in UK History;
  • hosted the first-ever bare knuckle fighting event in South Carolina history;
  • broadcasted on OTT and OTA platforms through Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Stadium 
  • hosted the return of live professional sports to Trump National Doral Miami following the PGA’s withdraw in 2016;
  • saw three executives – Vazquez, Harris and Matchmaker Mel Valenzuela – inducted into the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame in Belfast, NY.

Said Harris, “Each year and each show builds upon those before it and the foundation we laid right here in Miami.  We are committed to doing the very best by our competitors, fans and partners, and I couldn’t be more proud of the legacy we are building and the history we are making.”  

BYB 15: Broward Brawl will be held February 3 at the Miramar National Guard Armory, 5001 Flamingo Rd, Miramar, FL 33025.  Tickets are on-sale now at bybtickets.com

ABOUT GREGORY BLOOM

Bloom is a partner at the sports and entertainment law firm of ChaseLawyers and has almost twenty years experience in the world of combat sports. During that time period, he has represented multiple Olympic medalists, top-ranked fighters and world-champions in both boxing and MMA, and has helped them negotiate lucrative agreements with entities such as UFC, Bellator, Strikeforce, Top Rank, Matchroom, Probellum and PBC. He also worked for nine (9) years as general counsel for world- renowned MMA organization Combate Global, and during that time assisted them in their securing of major media deals with internationally recognized television and streaming platforms such as ESPN, Univision, Telemundo, Televisa, NBC Sports and Eurosport.  Additionally, Mr. Bloom has also worked as a licensed promoter for the past six (6) years, and he has successfully promoted over seventy (70) live events throughout the world. 

ABOUT BYB

Originating in South Florida with backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BYB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle boxing into a more structured product for a wider, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BYB has worked diligently to grow the reach of bare knuckle boxing on both a domestic and international level, hosting events in Wyoming, Mississippi, Florida and London, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States globally to expand the fanbase growing sport of bare knuckle boxing. For more information on BYB, visit bybextreme.com and follow @bybextreme on social.

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BYB 14 Carolina Brawl Results: Sam Liera defeats LT Nelson for the BYB Interim Super Middleweight Title

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Rock Hill, SC – In South Carolina’s first ever bare knuckle fighting event, Sam Liera overcame a 3rd round eye poke and a pair of knockdowns in the 5th to win the BYB Interim Super Middleweight title over LT Nelson, setting up a unifying match with BYB Super Middleweight champ Jose “The GOAT” Fernandez in 2023.
 
In the co-main event, hometown fighter Joshua Oxendine finished Christopher Gonzalez with a vicious body shot KO in the 1st round.
 
Brandon Birr defeated Kendell Ward in the first ever bare knuckle fighting event contest in South Carolina history via 2nd Round TKO.
 
Ryan Jett improved to 1-1 in the Trigon with a 1st round KO of Nathan Mitchell.
 
Andre Ewell made his Trigon debut in impressive fashion with a 17-second KO of Nick Villar.
 
BKB’s Jordan Tompkins defeated Nick Campbell by 1st round KO.
 
Trevor Ollison took out Roger Hunnell with a 1st round TKO.
 
Manuel De La Torre outslugged Henry Williams for a 5-round unanimous decision.
 
Tylor Sigmon made easy work of Cody Jenkins winning via 2nd Round TKO.
 
ABOUT BYB
Originating in South Florida with backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BYB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle boxing into a more structured product for a wider, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BYB has worked diligently to grow the reach of bare knuckle boxing on both a domestic and international level, hosting events in Wyoming, Mississippi, Florida and London, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States globally to expand the fanbase growing sport of bare knuckle boxing. For more information on BYB, visit bybextreme.com and follow @bybextreme on social.

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BYB 14 Carolina Brawl Fight Week Info

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BYB 14 Carolina Brawl will take place December 9 at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Last month, the South Carolina State Athletic Commission legalized bare knuckle fighting events in the state. BYB 14 will be the first such event in the Carolinas. Undefeated super middleweights LT “Smash” Nelson and Sam “The Caveman” Liera will face off in the main event for the BYB Interim Super Middleweight title. The winner will face BYB Super Middleweight champion Jose “The GOAT” Fernandez in 2023 upon Fernandez’s return to action following surgery.  To purchase tickets, visit bybtickets.com.

BYB 14 will be broadcast live on pay-per-view at combatcast.tv/byb.

Other fights include*:
 

WELTERWEIGHTS
Joshua Oxendine (Fighting Out of Pembroke, North Carolina) vs. Christopher Gonzalez (Fighting Out of Dade City, Florida by way of Passaic, New Jersey)
 
SUPERMIDDLEWEIGHTS
Ryan Jett (Fighting Out of Charlotte, North Carolina) vs. Nathan Mitchell (Fighting Out of Batesville, Mississippi)
 
WELTERWEIGHTS
Andre Ewell (Fighting Out of Riverside, California) vs. Nick Villar (Fighting Out of Glastonbury, Connecticut)
 
LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHTS
Nick Campbell (Fighting out of Spartanburg, South Carolina) vs. Jordan Tompkins (BKB – Fighting out of London, England)
 
LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHTS
Roger Hunnell (Fighting Out of Tazewell, Virginia) vs. Trevor Ollison (Fighting Out of Hot Springs, Arkansas)
 
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Manuel De La Torre (Fighting Out Fullerton, California) vs. Henry Williams (Fighting Out of Clearwater, Florida)
 
SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Brandon Birr (Fighting Out of Cleveland, Ohio) vs. Kendell Ward (Fighting Out of Nampa, Idaho)

ABOUT BYB
Originating in South Florida with backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BYB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle boxing into a more structured product for a wider, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BYB has worked diligently to grow the reach of bare knuckle boxing on both a domestic and international level, hosting events in Wyoming, Mississippi, Florida and London, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States globally to expand the fanbase growing sport of bare knuckle boxing. For more information on BYB, visit bybextreme.com and follow @bybextreme on social.

*Fight card subject to change.

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Meet Joshua Oxendine: Charlotte Gym Owner, Marine Veteran, Minister, and the Lumbee Tribe’s First Professional Fighter 

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Meet Joshua Oxendine: Charlotte Gym Owner, Marine Veteran, Minister, and the Lumbee Tribe’s First Professional Fighter 

Oxendine to Face Dusty Little in Co-Main Event of BYB 14: Carolina Brawl, Carolina’s First Bare Knuckle Fighting Event

Rock Hill, SC – “I like to baptize my opponents in the ring,” fighter and minister Joshua “Preacherman” Oxendine half-joked ahead of his December 9th matchup against Dusty Little at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center.  

The Carolina-based brawler is a renaissance man of sorts, carving his own unique path in life.  As a Marine wounded in combat, it took Oxendine the better part of two years and countless surgeries to learn to walk and run again, nursed back to health by his high school sweetheart Bricella, whom he married at age 19. 

Oxendine, 28, started boxing at age 14 and took up MMA at 19. Upon turning professional, he became the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina’s first professional fighter. In 2021, he and Bricella opened OxFitness, a functional training, kickboxing and boxing gym at 1916 Sardis Road North in Charlotte, with a mission to serve as a family-oriented facility to change the lives of people in the community and build a place where everyone feels welcomed.

Oxendine has been ministering with Casa De Avivamiento/House of Revival since 2019, and is currently working towards BA in Christian Ministries at Liberty University.

Said Oxendine, “As much as I love laying hands on people in the ring, it brings me even greater joy knowing I can use my passions to leave a positive impact on my community and the world.”

BYB 14 Carolina Brawl will take place December 9 at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Tickets are available at bybtickets.com. Last month, the South Carolina State Athletic Commission legalized bare knuckle fighting events in the state.  BYB 14 will be the first such event in the Carolinas. Undefeated super middleweights LT “Smash” Nelson and Sam “The Caveman” Liera will face off in the main event for the BYB Interim Super Middleweight. The winner will face BYB Super Middleweight champion Jose “The GOAT” Fernandez in 2023 upon Fernandez’s return to  action following surgery. 

ABOUT BYB

Originating in South Florida with backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BYB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle boxing into a more structured product for a wider, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BYB has worked diligently to grow the reach of bare knuckle boxing on both a domestic and international level, hosting events in Wyoming, Mississippi, Florida and London, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States globally to expand the fanbase growing sport of bare knuckle boxing. For more information on BYB, visit bybextreme.com and follow @bybextreme on social.

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BYB 13 Tampa Brawl For It All Results

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A Pair of New Champions Crowned at BYB 13: Tampa Brawl For It All
Desmond Green defeats three-time BKB champion Scott McHugh to be crowned the inaugural BYB Middleweight Champion along with the Police Gazette Diamond Belt.
DJ Linderman stops Tony Lopez on a TKO/DS after the 6th Round to win BYB Heavyweight Title.   
Tampa, FL – BYB returned to the Florida State Fairgrounds on Saturday, November 19 with BYB 13 Tampa Brawl For It All featuring 9 hard-hitting bare knuckle brawls. 

  • Desmond Green knockedout Scott McHugh in the 3rd Round to become the inaugural BYB Middleweight Champion and claim the Police Gazette Diamond Belt.
  • Doctors stopped the match before fighters came out for the 7th and DJ Linderman defeated champion Tony Lopez by TKO for the BYB Heavyweight belt.
  • Monica Medina defeated Jessica Link by UD after 5 in a super featherweight women’s battle.  
  • Ukraine’s Bovar Khanakov defeated Isaac Freeman by unanimous decision in a 5-Round slugfest.  
  • Christopher Gonzalez picked up his first win in the Trigon besting John Birdsong by 1st Round KO.
  • Julio Tanori shocked and thrilled the crowd with a 2nd Round KO over Toby Misech.
  • Cub Hawkins continued his impressive run in the Trigon, remaining undefeated with a 1st Round KO over newcomer Garrett Call.
  • Art Parker defeated Matt Strickland by 1st Round TKO in a battle of heavyweights. 
  • Jarome Hatch opened the night with a 1st Round TKO over Scott O’Shaughnessy.

BYB Extreme Again Partners with Vet Tix to Offer 250 Free Event Tickets to November 19th’s BYB 13 Brawl For It All

by Press Releases

Tampa, FL – Continuing its long-standing partnership and support of the organization, BYB announced today that it will be gifting veterans and service members 250 tickets to November 19’s BYB 13: Tampa Brawl For It All event through VetTix.org. Vet Tix provides tickets to currently-serving Military and Veterans from all branches, as well as to immediate family of troops KIA.

Said BYB President Mike Vazquez, “Veteran’s Day is a reminder to us all of what is really important. Through Vet Tix, we are able to show a small gesture of our appreciation to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. We are proud that a large part of our audience is composed of military members, and love the level of energy and support they bring to our shows.”

BYB 13: Tampa Brawl For It All will take place at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, November 19. Those qualified under the categories listed above who are interested in attending can visit VetsTix.org to reserve their tickets.

ABOUT BYB

Originating in South Florida with backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BYB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle boxing into a more structured product for a wider, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BYB has worked diligently to grow the reach of bare knuckle boxing on both a domestic and international level, hosting events in Wyoming, Mississippi, Florida and London, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States globally to expand the fanbase growing sport of bare knuckle boxing. For more information on BYB, visit bybextreme.com and follow @bybextreme on social.

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BYB Announces Main Event for BYB 14: Carolina Brawl

by Press Releases

BYB Announces Main Event for BYB 14: Carolina Brawl

In a battle of undefeated brawlers, Lorawnt-t “Smash” Nelson takes on Sam “The Caveman” Liera for the BYB Interim Super Middleweight Championship.

Rock Hill, SC – BYB announced today that undefeated super middleweights LT “Smash” Nelson and Sam “The Caveman” Liera will face off in the main event of South Carolina’s first ever bare knuckle fighting event for the BYB Interim Super Middleweight. The winner will face BYB Super Middleweight champion Jose “The GOAT” Fernandez in 2023 upon Fernandez’s return to  action following surgery. 

BYB 14 Carolina Brawl will take place December 9 at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Tickets are available at bybtickets.com.  Last month, the South Carolina State Athletic Commission legalized bare knuckle fighting events in the state.  BYB 14 will be the first such event in the Carolinas. 

ABOUT BYB
Originating in South Florida with backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BYB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle fighting into a more structured product for a wider, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BYB has worked diligently to grow the reach of bare knuckle fighting on both a domestic and international level, hosting events in Wyoming, Mississippi, Florida and London, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States globally to expand the fanbase growing sport of bare knuckle fighting. For more information on BYB, visit bybextreme.com and follow @bybextreme on social.

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Ukrainian Soldier, Bare Knuckle Fighter Bovar “The Gladiator” Khanakov Opens Up about War’s Impact on Hometown of Mariupol, Tumultuous Upbringing that Lead Him to Boxing, US Debut and More

by Press Releases

Miami, Florida – This week, BYB Extreme host and former fighter Erin Toughill sat with Bovar “The Gladiator” Khanakov, a Ukrainian soldier who fled Mariupol following the Russian Federation’s attack on the city and settled in Sacramento to pursue his combat career.  Khanakov will make his US debut on Saturday, November 19 at BYB 13: Tampa Brawl for it All at the Florida State Fairgrounds against Isaac “Puma” Freeman in a middleweight matchup.  

Khanakov opened up about the war, leaving his hometown of Mariupol after it was “destroyed by the Russian Federation,” his tumultuous upbringing that brought him to fighting, his training in Sacramento with a team that includes Urijah Faber and Viacheslav (Slava) Borshchev, what to expect in his November 19 BYB debut, and more.  Below are quotes and clips.  You can view the full episode here. 

On leaving war-destroyed Mariupol, Ukraine

“I came [to the US] because in my country there is war.  The Russian Federation destroyed my city…destroyed my home.  I didn’t plan to come to America, but because of the situation with my country, I came to America…My city, Mariupol, is all destroyed.  One [hundred] thousand people dead in my country.  This is very terrible.”  [CLIP]

“About 100,000 civilians died as a result of Russia’s attack on my city of Mariupol. We didn’t have Nazis and we lived well. Every day they destroy my country and continue to kill civilians from all types of missiles.” 

On training with and support of UFC stars Urijah Faber and (Slava) Borshchev at Alpha Male in Sacramento

“I have the best gym, Alpha Male. Urijah Faber helped me follow my dream. My manager called. He helped me to find the gym.  He introduced me to Urijah. Viacheslav (Slava) Borshchev supported me. Supported my family…gave me toys for my kid.  Now he’s training with me.  He is one of the best strikers in the world, a kickboxing world champion.  Urijah is allowing me to train in the gym and giving me all that I need.” [CLIP]

On his motivation to fight

“When I was 5-6 years old, my father drank a lot. He smashed my mother.  I see this when I was a little boy.  I wanted to protect my mother.  I went to the boxing gym.  My motivation – protect my mother…He is around my home and I was prepared to box him.  For 5 years, I trained very hard.  My father now he doesn’t smash my mother.  This is a part of life. So I train like a warrior. Sometimes I fight with my father at home.  This is my life.” [CLIP]

On his opponent Isaac Freeman

“I have a lot of experience in bare knuckle. Boxing and bare knuckle are two different sports.  There’s difference in preparing for this battle. My opponent is a boxer and I know he prepares like a boxer. But bare knuckle is not boxing…I don’t like to talk, I want to show you.  You’ll remember me.”  

“I am prepared.  I want to show America who are Ukrainian fighters.”

In addition to Khanakov-Freeman, BYB 13 will feature 10 hard-hitting fights including a pair of high profile title matches. BYB’s Desmond Green will take on BKB’s Scott McHugh for both the BYB Middleweight title and the Police Gazette World Diamond Belt. Tony Lopez, undefeated in the Trigon, makes his first heavyweight title defense as he takes on challenger DJ Linderman. 

To buy tickets, visit bybtickets.com.  The event will be broadcast live and exclusively on the Stadium App and WatchStadium.com, with prime time, multi-night replays to air on Stadium’s over the top (OTT) and over the air (OTA) platforms. To download the Stadium

ABOUT BYB

Originating in South Florida with backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BYB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle fighting into a more structured product for a wider, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BYB has worked diligently to grow the reach of bare knuckle fighting on both a domestic and international level, hosting events in Wyoming, Mississippi, Florida and London, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States globally to expand the fanbase growing sport of bare knuckle fighting. For more information on BYB, visit bybextreme.com and follow @bybextreme on social.

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