PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rik McRae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Liebenn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnny Liebenn struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.3lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Rik McRae could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Johnny Liebenn's chin.

McRae
vs
Liebenn

189 cm
21
198 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

195 cm
20
193 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Hell's Kitchen Clothing

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rik McRae!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johnny Liebenn!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McRae misses with a kick to the body.

McRae drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McRae sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Liebenn's guard.
Liebenn wants to improve his position but McRae is controlling well.
McRae is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

McRae is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Liebenn has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liebenn is desperately trying to improve his position but McRae has a good base and remains in mount.
Liebenn is trying to escape the mount but McRae keeps good control and instead manages to take Liebenn's back.
Will McRae go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

McRae is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Liebenn has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

McRae has got one arm under Liebenn's chin. This could be trouble... Liebenn trying to control the other hand but McRae gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Liebenn has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rik McRae!