PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Borisov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tane Te Rauparaha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Borisov comes to the cage accompanied by Blunt - The Iron Maiden. The crowd seem to be enjoying Te Rauparaha's choice of entrance music: Get Ready - Concord Dawn ft Scribe. Tane Te Rauparaha has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ivan Borisov's chin.

Borisov
vs
Te Rauparaha

188 cm
27
195 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

190 cm
26
190 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Australian Xtreme - 159 Energy + Stamina!

Ka-POW 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 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ivan Borisov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tane Te Rauparaha!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Eliza Hachem and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Te Rauparaha feints and then cracks Borisov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Borisov down.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Te Rauparaha enables Borisov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Te Rauparaha manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Te Rauparaha utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Te Rauparaha wants to stand and escape but Borisov is having none of it.
Borisov looking to pass the guard.
Te Rauparaha has momentary wrist control but Borisov slips an elbow through the middle.
Te Rauparaha wants to stand but Borisov is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Borisov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Te Rauparaha works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Te Rauparaha wants to stand and escape but Borisov is having none of it.
Borisov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Borisov trying to control the position from guard on top but Te Rauparaha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Borisov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Borisov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Te Rauparaha is keeping the position for now.
Borisov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Borisov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Te Rauparaha can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Borisov controls the pace.
Te Rauparaha can't keep his opponent in guard - Borisov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Borisov seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Borisov.
Te Rauparaha won't allow Borisov to pass to mount.
Borisov passes the guard and advances to mount!
Borisov misses with a head shot.
Borisov landing strikes from the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Te Rauparaha tries to hold on but Borisov pushes him away.
Borisov controlling from the full mount.
Te Rauparaha working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borisov landing punches.
Te Rauparaha really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Borisov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Te Rauparaha manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.
Borisov throwing shots but Te Rauparaha is blocking nicely.
Borisov moves nicely into side control.
Borisov takes a little break here. Te Rauparaha wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Te Rauparaha managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Borisov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Borisov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Borisov taking a breather here.
Borisov is looking to take a break and control but Te Rauparaha is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Borisov taking a break here but Te Rauparaha is having none of it and regains half guard.
Borisov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Te Rauparaha!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Borisov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Borisov throws a jab but it's blocked by Te Rauparaha.
Borisov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Borisov swings for the body but Te Rauparaha moves out of range.
Nice jab there from Te Rauparaha.
Borisov misses with an uppercut.
Both fighters circling a little - Te Rauparaha finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Te Rauparaha looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Borisov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Borisov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Borisov trying to control the action but Te Rauparaha is working from the bottom.
Te Rauparaha is trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borisov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Te Rauparaha to see if he's OK.
Te Rauparaha pushes Borisov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Borisov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Borisov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Borisov working the ground and pound.
Te Rauparaha managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Borisov.
Borisov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The strikes coming from Borisov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Te Rauparaha tries to escape but Borisov is in control.
Borisov controlling the position.
Te Rauparaha is not content to let Borisov control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha wants to control but Borisov postures up.
Borisov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Te Rauparaha is trying to improve his position.
Borisov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Te Rauparaha trying to remain calm as Borisov controls from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borisov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Borisov lands a nice forearm strike.
Borisov scoring with punches from side control.
Borisov trying to control the action but Te Rauparaha is working from the bottom.
Borisov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Te Rauparaha is trying to control Borisov's posture but Borisov avoids it.
Borisov misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Borisov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Borisov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Te Rauparaha sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Te Rauparaha is trying to buck Borisov off.
Te Rauparaha takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Te Rauparaha taking a bit of punishment here - Borisov scoring with strikes.
Te Rauparaha taking punishment in the form of punches.
Borisov is looking to take a break and control but Te Rauparaha is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Te Rauparaha managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Borisov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Borisov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Borisov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Borisov slips a jab and a cross from Te Rauparaha.
Borisov with a hook.
Borisov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Te Rauparaha wants to clinch up but Borisov keeps it at a distance.
Te Rauparaha takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The fighters circling - Borisov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Te Rauparaha wants to clinch

and Borisov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Te Rauparaha won't be happy with that.
Borisov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Borisov working the head and body with strikes.
Borisov controlling the position.

Borisov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha taking a bit of punishment here - Borisov scoring with strikes.
Borisov tries to score with some ground and pound. Te Rauparaha controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Borisov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Te Rauparaha defending against the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borisov throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Te Rauparaha works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Te Rauparaha is looking to control Borisov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Te Rauparaha avoid being mounted?
Borisov working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Te Rauparaha's thigh. Te Rauparaha counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Borisov wants to control from the top but Te Rauparaha keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha keeping full guard, as Borisov tries to pass.
Tane Te Rauparaha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Borisov trying to control but Te Rauparaha is working from the bottom.
Te Rauparaha wants to stand but Borisov is controlling the position.
Borisov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Te Rauparaha wants to stand and escape but Borisov is having none of it.
Te Rauparaha working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Borisov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Borisov forces his way into half guard.
Borisov passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Te Rauparaha!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Borisov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Borisov landing strikes from the mount and Te Rauparaha is in trouble!
Te Rauparaha is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Te Rauparaha takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Te Rauparaha is bucking up trying to escape but Borisov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Borisov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Borisov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Borisov!