PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Hillburn (ranked 2814 p4p, 2494 weight class) and Dimche Rajcevski (ranked 313 p4p, 285 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hillburn
vs
Rajcevski

192 cm
20
220
3 - 1 - 0

191 cm
20
214
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bobby Hillburn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dimche Rajcevski!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hillburn throws a jab but it's blocked by Rajcevski.
Rajcevski looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rajcevski looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Rajcevski keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hillburn.
Hillburn lands a high kick!
Rajcevski swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Rajcevski throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hillburn tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rajcevski is in Hillburn's guard.
Rajcevski trying to control but Hillburn is working from the bottom.
Rajcevski controlling from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hillburn is controlling Rajcevski's posture.
Hillburn is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hillburn looking for a guillotine here but Rajcevski defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hillburn keeping moving, preventing Rajcevski from controlling successfully.
Rajcevski might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hillburn haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Hillburn has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rajcevski closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hillburn circles away.
Rajcevski takes a swing at Hillburn's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rajcevski fails with a takedown attempt.
Bobby Hillburn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dimche Rajcevski.
Rajcevski fails with a takedown attempt.
Hillburn throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rajcevski with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rajcevski fails with the takedown.
Hillburn throwing a counter right hand but Rajcevski manages to avoid it.
Rajcevski shoots and misses
and Hillburn counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rajcevski tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Hillburn counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rajcevski is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hillburn keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rajcevski's head.
Rajcevski manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hillburn manages to get himself to full guard.

Rajcevski drops back looking for a leg! Hillburn is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hillburn manages to kick Rajcevski off! Rajcevski jumps back into Hillburn's guard.
Hillburn is looking to stand up but Rajcevski isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hillburn wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Hillburn wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Rajcevski is now in half guard.
Rajcevski stops Hillburn from getting back to his feet.

Rajcevski seems to be looking for submissions.
Rajcevski wants to take a breather but Hillburn is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rajcevski is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hillburn wants to control the action here but instead Rajcevski manages to pass to full mount!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bobby Hillburn will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Rajcevski throws a series of punches but Hillburn moves out of range.
Hillburn is looking to counter punch.
Hillburn looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Rajcevski lands a slapping body shot.
Rajcevski shoots in for a double leg but Hillburn sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rajcevski shoots for a takedown but Hillburn saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Dimche Rajcevski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rajcevski shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hillburn but Hillburn pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hillburn fires out a quick counter leg kick but Rajcevski just manages to avoid it.
Bobby Hillburn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dimche Rajcevski.
Rajcevski walks into a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hillburn lands a glancing blow to the side of Rajcevski's head.

Rajcevski closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hillburn to the mat! Hillburn manages to get full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rajcevski trying to control but Hillburn is working from the bottom.
Hillburn doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rajcevski trying to control the position from guard on top but Hillburn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hillburn has Rajcevski pulled in close to control his posture.
Hillburn keeping moving, preventing Rajcevski from controlling successfully.

Hillburn looking for subs off his back but Rajcevski has passed one foot through into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rajcevski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hillburn keeps working.
Rajcevski is pressing down on Hillburn's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hillburn is holding on for now.
Hillburn knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rajcevski on the ground.
Hillburn trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Rajcevski manages to pass to mount!

Rajcevski looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Hillburn manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Rajcevski is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hillburn is defending against the submission attempts here by Rajcevski.

Rajcevski is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hillburn has managed to free his arm - good work.

Hillburn looking for a kimura from the bottom but Rajcevski passes into side control!

Rajcevski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hillburn on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hillburn tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rajcevski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hillburn is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rajcevski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hillburn keeps working.
Hillburn throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hillburn struggling a bit here.
Rajcevski passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Hillburn!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dimche Rajcevski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rajcevski shoots in for a takedown but Hillburn shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hillburn is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Rajcevski fails with the takedown
and Hillburn counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Rajcevski darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hillburn pushes Rajcevski off but Rajcevski dives into side control.
Rajcevski trying to control the position but Hillburn is working away.

Rajcevski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hillburn is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hillburn is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rajcevski is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rajcevski tries for a kimura but Hillburn is defending well.
Hillburn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Hillburn is being controlled here.
Hillburn gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Rajcevski tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hillburn is wriggling around trying to escape.

Rajcevski has hold of an arm here, looking to extend it. He's committed to the armbar attempt here! Will he get it?! Yes! Hillburn is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:36 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Dimche Rajcevski!
An out of breath Dimche Rajcevski thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.