PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ezekiel Broomsdale (ranked 2371 p4p, 2318 weight class) and Hjalmar Raak (ranked 265 p4p, 258 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Broomsdale might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Masta. Ezekiel Broomsdale could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Hjalmar Raak's chin.

Broomsdale
vs
Raak

189 cm
30
186
19 - 11 - 0

191 cm
27
197
8 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Solid chin

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ezekiel Broomsdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Hjalmar Raak!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, John Roberts and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Broomsdale finds it's way through Raak's defenses.
Broomsdale goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Raak lands with an overhand left.
Broomsdale throws a leg kick but Raak checks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Raak! But no joy.
Broomsdale throws a sloppy head kick and Raak moves out of range easily.
Broomsdale goes for a double leg but Raak avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Raak continues to drive forward.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Raak takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Broomsdale lands a hook that snaps the head of Raak backwards.
Broomsdale has Raak pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Raak manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Raak scores with a shoulder strike.
Broomsdale lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Raak backwards.
Raak stalling against the cage.
Broomsdale has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Raak avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezekiel Broomsdale. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raak pushes Broomsdale back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Raak lands a shot to the body.
Broomsdale has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Raak after a bit of a struggle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broomsdale throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Raaks head.
Raak is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Broomsdale looking for a takedown.
Raak scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Raak working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Raak manages to break the clinch.
Raak tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Broomsdale manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Raak rushes Broomsdale and presses him up against the cage.
Raak swings wildly with an uppercut but Broomsdale uses good head movement to avoid it.
Raak prevents a takedown attempt there.
Raak misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Raak's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Broomsdale just misses with a elbow thrown towards Raak's brow.
Broomsdale tries to pull guard but Raak forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Broomsdale lands an elbow just above Raak 's eye.
Raak lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raak throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Broomsdale blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Raak tries to work over Broomsdale's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Raak working aggressively here.
Broomsdale is looking to take this one to the mat.

Raak has picked Broomsdale up - he's going for a ride! Raak dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Broomsdale is looking to improve his position.
Raak trying to mount his opponent but Broomsdale defends it.
Broomsdale wants to control the action here but instead Raak manages to pass to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raak stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Raak takes one to the side of the head.
Broomsdale misses with an uppercut. Raak saw that one coming.
Raak throws a jab but it's blocked by Broomsdale.
Raak slips a straight right by Broomsdale.
Hjalmar Raak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Broomsdale darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Raak misses with a hook. Broomsdale ducked under it nicely.
Raak throws the kick towards the body but Broomsdale avoids it.
Raak misses with a shot to the body

and Broomsdale moves into the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Broomsdale throws an elbow but misses.
Raak taking a breather.

Broomsdale pulls Raak into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Broomsdale wants to sweep here but Raak controlling him for the moment.
Raak controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Broomsdale keeping full guard, as Raak tries to pass.
Broomsdale looking to hit a scissor sweep but Raak is one step ahead there.
Raak is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Raak advances to half guard.
Broomsdale trying to hold on to Raak's head to control him but Raak postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hjalmar Raak dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Raak is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Broomsdale circles away from the clinch attempt.
Broomsdale keeps Raak at a distance using the push kick.
A punch lands to the side of Broomsdale 's head but he takes it in his stride.
An inside leg kick from Broomsdale misses.
Ezekiel Broomsdale is winning the standup battle so far.
Broomsdale throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Raak avoids the head kick by Broomsdale.
Raak takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Broomsdale throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A punch combination from Raak misses.
Raak lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Broomsdale tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Raak replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Broomsdale blocks it well.
Raak walks into a straight right hand from Broomsdale.
Raak wants to clinch up but Broomsdale keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raak throws a poor cross that misses

and Broomsdale moves into the clinch.
Raak blocks an elbow strike from Broomsdale.
Broomsdale misses with a hook to the ribs.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Broomsdale gets through Raak's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Broomsdale throws an elbow but it misses.
Broomsdale lands an elbow just above Raak 's eye.
Raak trying to stall but Broomsdale improves his position.
Broomsdale makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Raak pulls Broomsdale into guard.
Broomsdale engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Raak is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raak is trying to control the position but Broomsdale postures up.
Raak avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Broomsdale lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Broomsdale looking to sit in guard and control but Raak gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Raak wants to control from the top but Broomsdale keeps moving.
Raak being controlled here momentarily.
Raak won't allow Broomsdale to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Broomsdale is controlling Raak's posture.
Broomsdale wants to improve his position but instead Raak has moved into half guard.
Raak keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Raak is pressing down on Broomsdale's thigh, looking to free his foot. Broomsdale is holding on for now.
Broomsdale wants to get back to full guard.
Broomsdale makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Broomsdale.
Raak slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Hjalmar Raak has got the better of the ground game so far.
Broomsdale keeping moving, preventing Raak from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Raak looking to pass the guard.
Raak forces his way into half guard.
Raak seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Broomsdale does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Broomsdale controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Broomsdale is looking for a sweep. Raak is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Raak trying to pass the guard but Broomsdale defending well.
Broomsdale controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Broomsdale gets back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ezekiel Broomsdale dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Raak misses the jab.
Broomsdale is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Raak.
Raak throws a head kick but Broomsdale moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Raak.
Broomsdale swings widly with a right hand
and Raak counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Raak stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Broomsdale.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Raak manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raak blocks the body kick.
Broomsdale bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Raak ducks under a wild hook from Broomsdale.
Raak keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broomsdale gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Raak.
Raak lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Broomsdale dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Raak. That did some damage!
Raak ducks under a wild hook from Broomsdale.
Raak appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Raak scores with a shot to the body.
Broomsdale's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Raak connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Broomsdale scrambles back to his feet.
Raak swings widly with a right hand
and Raak takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hjalmar Raak is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Raak misses the shot to the body.
Broomsdale throws a hook but Raak avoids it easily.
Raak throws a head kick but Broomsdale moves out of range.
Broomsdale throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Broomsdale moves into range and clinches up with Raak.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Broomsdale throws an elbow but it misses.
Broomsdale looks to throw an elbow but misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
With the fighters up against the cage, Broomsdale throws an elbow but misses.
Raak scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Broomsdale.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Raak creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ezekiel Broomsdale has scored more points in the clinch so far.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Broomsdale just misses with a elbow thrown towards Raak's brow.
Broomsdale taking a breather.
Broomsdale tries to stall but Raak uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Raak scores with a nice hook to the head.
Broomsdale looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Broomsdale throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Raak blocks the elbow strike.
Raak misses with a short punch on the inside.
Raak tries for a takedown but Broomsdale manages to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raak misses with a punch to the body.
Raak blocking some punches.
Broomsdale comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Raak is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Broomsdale goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Raak misses with a punch to the body.

Raak manages to break the clinch.

Broomsdale clinches.
Broomsdale looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Broomsdale lands a hook to the side of the head.

Raak breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Raak's jab looks to have found its range, popping Broomsdale under the eye.
Broomsdale swings widly with a right hand
and Raak counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Broomsdale throws a head kick but Raak moves out of range.
A big right from Broomsdale misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Raak! But no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Broomsdale lands a nice looking body kick.
A head kick from Raak lands but Broomsdale takes it in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body kick there by Broomsdale.
Broomsdale misses with a leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Broomsdale.
Raak connects with a looping right hand.
Broomsdale goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Raak misses with a leg kick.
Broomsdale tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Raak manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Raak takes one to the side of the head.

Broomsdale tries to keep at a distance but Raak has taken the fight into the clinch.
Broomsdale misses with an elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Hjalmar Raak.
I think Raak has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ezekiel Broomsdale!
Ezekiel Broomsdale thanked the fans post fight for their support.