PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Frank Wedge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergie Rafendek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Wedge
vs
Rafendek

175 cm
21
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Frank Wedge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sergie Rafendek!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rafendek loads up on a big right hand but Wedge slips the punch.

Wedge clinches up against the cage.
Wedge using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Wedge breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wedge shoots in for a double leg but Rafendek sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rafendek misses with an uppercut

and Wedge counters by moving into the clinch.

Wedge pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wedge throws a series of punches but Rafendek avoids them all with ease.

Wedge moves into the clinch.

Wedge manages to break the clinch.

Wedge moves into the clinch successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rafendek is trying to break free.
Wedge prevents a body shot from Rafendek.

Wedge pulls guard.
Rafendek wants to stand and escape but instead Wedge has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Wedge is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafendek wants to stand but Wedge is controlling the position.
Wedge controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Wedge postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wedge's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Frank Wedge wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Rafendek scores with the left hand. Wedge knows he should have avoided that one.
Rafendek thuds his right hand into Wedge's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Wedge will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rafendek lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wedge circles away quickly and effectively.
Rafendek throws a hook to the side of Wedge's head but Wedge sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Wedge moves out of range of the strikes.
Wedge ducks under a wild hook from Rafendek.
Wedge shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rafendek but Rafendek pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Wedge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wedge fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rafendek stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Wedge tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rafendek paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rafendek throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wedge.
Rafendek moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wedge uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rafendek.
A big right from Rafendek misses.
Rafendek bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Wedge's head backwards.
Wedge is breathing heavily.
Good exchange - Rafendek coming out on top.
Wedge throws a head kick that misses.
Rafendek lunges at Wedge with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Wedge's hand.
Sergie Rafendek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rafendek connects with a right hand. Wedge shakes it off.
Wedge with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rafendek to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice uppercut lands for Rafendek. That snapped Wedge's head back.
Sergie Rafendek is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rafendek connects with a crisp jab.
Rafendek cracks Wedge with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Wedge is defended easily by Rafendek.
Rafendek connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Rafendek both land. Nice combination.
Rafendek scores with a nice right hand.
Rafendek misses with a lunging right hand

and Wedge counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Wedge wants to control from the top but Rafendek keeps moving.
Wedge won't allow Rafendek to get back to his feet.
Rafendek preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rafendek wants to get back to his feet but Wedge is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Frank Wedge will probably get the nod.
That's time! Wedge's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rafendek's jab looks to have found its range, popping Wedge under the eye.

Wedge gets a double leg takedown into Rafendek's guard.
Wedge looking to pass the guard.
Wedge not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Wedge prevents Rafendek from getting back to his feet.
Wedge stays in close to Rafendek's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Frank Wedge just wasn't active enough.
Wedge tries to land a front kick but Rafendek steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A slow jab from Rafendek misses its intended target.
Wedge ducks under a wild hook from Rafendek.
Good leg kick by Wedge there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rafendek throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Wedge pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Frank Wedge is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rafendek throws an overhand right that lands on Wedge's shoulder, as Wedge tries to avoid the shot.

Wedge moves into the clinch successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wedge drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rafendek pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rafendek lands a really nice looking cross but Wedge seems unphased.
Wedge looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rafendek is fending him off so far but Wedge persists. Nope, Rafendek circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Rafendek throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rafendek throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rafendek swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rafendek bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Wedge's head.
Nice straight punches there by Rafendek. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rafendek.
Rafendek listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rafendek throws a right hand that Wedge ducks under and follows up with a left that Wedge also avoids with ease.
Nice defenses there by Wedge.
Rafendek takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Wedge takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rafendek goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rafendek might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Rafendek misses with a few strikes there.
Rafendek throws a right and a left that Wedge avoids nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Rafendek. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rafendek works the jab nicely.
A jab from Rafendek does it's job there.
Wedge keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rafendek.
Wedge looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rafendek keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Wedge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rafendek fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Rafendek scores with a one two! Wedge had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rafendek stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rafendek throws a jab when Wedge was well out of range.
Rafendek lands a jab.
Rafendek lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wedge circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice shot lands for Rafendek.
A telegraphed right hand from Rafendek misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafendek catches Wedge with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Wedge uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rafendek.
Wedge with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rafendek to score with a decent uppercut.
Rafendek misses with an uppercut. Wedge saw that one coming.
Rafendek misses with an uppercut.
Rafendek throws out a powerful jab.
Wedge walks into a jab.
Rafendek fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Rafendek looks to throw the jab but Wedge is out of range.
Rafendek connects with a single shot there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rafendek misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rafendek throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rafendek stalks Wedge and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Wedge's face. Wedge staggers backwards, shaken.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergie Rafendek showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Wedge's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rafendek.
Rafendek throws a lazy right hand but Wedge sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rafendek throws a looping overhand right but Wedge ducks down to avoid it.
Wedge throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rafendek's waist but Rafendek gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wedge off to one side.
Wedge tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice cross by Rafendek.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wedge looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wedge misses with a hook.
Rafendek fails to land with a series of punches.
Wedge on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Wedge.
Wedge prevents Rafendek from escaping the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wedge controlling from side mount.
Wedge advances nicely into full mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You get the feeling that Rafendek really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Frank Wedge overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wedge landing strikes from the mount.
Rafendek squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Wedge controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rafendek's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Rafendek is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Wedge controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Wedge breaks from Rafendek's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Wedge throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Rafendek is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wedge looking to control and managing it successfully.
Rafendek is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Rafendek is trying to stand but he's just given Wedge his back.
Rafendek is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Wedge.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Wedge showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Wedge has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Wedge!