PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Rae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damien Newsome (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rae
vs
Newsome

193 cm
22
196 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

199 cm
26
195 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

ADCC Champion
Basic striking
Heavy handed

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Rae!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Damien Newsome!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Bruno Hogan and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Newsome shoots in for a takedown but Rae shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Newsome avoids the head kick by Rae.
Rae misses with a looping right.
Newsome takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Damien Newsome seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Newsome drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Good leg kick by Rae there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Newsome shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rae as he avoids it easily.
Rae bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Newsome's head backwards.
Rae keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rae throws a right hand that Newsome ducks under and follows up with a left that Newsome also avoids with ease.
Rae stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rae is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Newsome misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
James Rae has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damien Newsome.
Newsome moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rae feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Newsome's calf.
Rae cracks Newsome with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Newsome moves forwards but Rae connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Newsome closes the distance and clinches up with Rae, looking for a takedown. Newsome pushes Rae against the cage but Rae circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rae connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Newsome looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rae.
A head kick misses from Rae.
Newsome takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Newsome shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rae defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newsome fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rae.
Some wild striking there from Newsome.
Newsome walks into a stiff left hand from Rae.
Rae turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Newsome looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Rae looking for submissions off his back.
Rae regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rae has Newsome pulled in close to control his posture.
Rae working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Newsome.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rae wants to sweep but no luck.
Newsome has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Newsome postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rae is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Newsome, into his guard.

Newsome has his foot on Rae's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rae works his way back into a safe position though.

Newsome looking for a guillotine here but Rae defends easily.

Rae gets to his feet - Newsome follows without any prompting.
Newsome takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
James Rae is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rae scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Newsome walks into a left hand.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rae, right into the meat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newsome takes one to the side of the head.
Rae throws a nice outside leg kick.
Newsome drops his hands momentarily and Rae takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Rae smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rae is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Newsome walks into a jab.

Newsome is rocked!
Newsome takes one on the button.
Newsome is still on wobbly legs! Can Rae finish him?
A left and a right from Rae both land. Nice combination.
Rae scores with a leg kick.
Rae connects with a jab and follows up with a big overhand right! Oh that's hurt Newsome! He's out on his feet! Rae rushes in and drops Newsome with another big right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). James Rae!