PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jack Rafael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pahani Julmu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jack Rafael has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Rafael
vs
Julmu

181 cm
20
177 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

180 cm
20
181 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Good low kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jack Rafael!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pahani Julmu!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Summer Carpenter and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Julmu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Julmu changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Julmu lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Rafael throws a head kick that misses.
Julmu misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rafael throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
No luck for Rafael with that takedown attempt.
A leg kick checked by Rafael.
Rafael jabs at Julmu's body.
Julmu connects with an inside leg kick.
Julmu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Julmu swings for the body but Rafael moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Julmu misses with an uppercut

and Rafael counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Julmu wants to stand and escape but Rafael is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rafael trying to control the position from guard on top but Julmu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Julmu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rafael.
Rafael chips away with some ground and pound.
Rafael throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafael postures up and lands a big shot to Julmu's brow.
Rafael has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rafael wants to control from the top but Julmu keeps moving.
Rafael missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rafael throws a big elbow that misses.
Rafael postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rafael trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rafael trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Julmu can't keep his opponent in guard - Rafael advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Rafael not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Julmu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rafael.
Rafael throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rafael trying to control the action but Julmu is working from the bottom.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rafael is trying to control. Julmu wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Julmu is trying to get back to full guard.
Julmu is trying to stand up here but Rafael is controlling him well.
Rafael not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rafael is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Julmu!
Rafael landing strikes, looking to finish!
Rafael looking to control but Julmu is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Rafael looking to secure an arm triangle but Julmu defends it well.
Rafael lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Julmu hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rafael is landing with some decent strikes but Julmu is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Rafael trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rafael misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Rafael lands a big shot there that rocks Julmu but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rafael with the ground and pound from mount.
Rafael landing strikes, looking to finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rafael punching from mount but Julmu doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Rafael goes for an armbar but Julmu turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Julmu.
Julmu controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rafael 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 four minutes gone in the round.
Julmu is stalling in the full guard.
Rafael trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Rafael looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Julmu wants to stand but Rafael is controlling his posture from full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Pahani Julmu was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Rafael throws a nice outside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Rafael dominated that round.
That's time! Rafael's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A slow jab from Rafael misses its intended target.
A head kick misses from Julmu.
Rafael throws a head kick that misses.
Rafael has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Julmu.
Rafael dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Julmu. That did some damage!
Rafael misses with a low kick.
Rafael avoids the body shot from Julmu.
Julmu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Julmu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Good exchange - Julmu coming out on top.
Rafael tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Julmu is able to avoid easily.
Rafael avoids the head kick by Julmu.
Rafael thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rafael throws a sloppy head kick and Julmu moves out of range easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rafael shoots for a double leg takedown but Julmu sprawls well. He's pushed Rafael's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Julmu throws a low kick, looking for Rafael's leg but Rafael calmly moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Julmu.
Julmu throws a head kick but Rafael moves out of range.
Rafael on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Julmu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Julmu throws a right and a left that Rafael avoids nicely.
Rafael throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Julmu is breathing heavily.
Julmu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Julmu tries a head kick but it misses.
A jab from Rafael finds it's way through Julmu's defenses.
Julmu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rafael throws a body kick that misses.
Rafael scores with a jab. Julmu acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rafael tries a head kick but it misses.
Pahani Julmu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rafael takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Julmu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rafael was well out of range. Poor timing from Julmu.
Rafael throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rafael shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Julmu as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Rafael. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Julmu throws a sloppy head kick and Rafael moves out of range easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rafael.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rafael lands with a kick to the temple. Julmu shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Julmu tests Rafael's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rafael. That's going to slow Julmu down.
Rafael walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Julmu checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rafael is defended easily by Julmu.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rafael.
Julmu connects with a solid leg kick.
Julmu throws a head kick that misses
and Rafael counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rafael throws a quick inside leg kick.
Julmu is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rafael rather than just go for the knockout.
Rafael thumps Julmu with a low kick.
Julmu steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Rafael. That one must have hurt.
Rafael looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Julmu throws a head kick but Rafael moves out of range.
Rafael shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Julmu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rafael looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Julmu on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rafael. Rafael obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Julmu wants to slow Rafael down by chopping away at his legs.
Rafael scores with a head kick. Julmu tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Jack Rafael is winning the standup battle so far.
Rafael shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pahani Julmu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Julmu stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Julmu slaps away a takedown attempt from Rafael, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rafael throws a head kick that misses.
Rafael shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Julmu as he jumps to the side.
Rafael throws a leg kick but Julmu checks it.
Julmu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rafael misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rafael misses with a body kick.
Julmu goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Julmu misses with a leg kick.
Julmu misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Julmu.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good shot there by Julmu.
Rafael looks to score with a jab to the body but Julmu is just out of range.
Rafael misses the shot to the body.
Rafael swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Julmu lands a jab-cross combination.
Julmu thumps Rafael with a low kick.
Julmu throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Julmu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Julmu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Julmu keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Julmu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Julmu cracks Rafael with an open hand slap.
Julmu smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rafael blocks a head kick by Julmu.
Rafael throws a hook but Julmu avoids it easily.

Rafael clinches with his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pahani Julmu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rafael tried to score with a low kick but Julmu checks it.
Rafael throws a leg kick which misses Julmu's front leg but catches the back leg as Julmu tries to avoid it.
A good leg kick by Rafael.
Rafael tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Julmu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rafael cracks the inside of Julmu's front leg.
Julmu checks the leg kick nicely there.
Pahani Julmu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rafael closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rafael lands in his opponent's guard.
Julmu is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rafael is controlling him.
Julmu manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rafael manages to get himself to full guard.

Rafael escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Julmu gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rafael keeping moving, preventing Julmu from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafael is trying to keep Julmu in close.
Julmu trying to control the position from guard on top but Rafael is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rafael seems keen to control Julmu's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Rafael shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Julmu manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rafael throwing strikes but missing.
Julmu controlling the position.

Rafael drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Julmu dives on top into guard.

Julmu stands up from guard. Let's bang!
The fighters circle momentarily. Julmu darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rafael moves into range and connects with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Julmu throws a hook to the side of Rafael's head but Rafael sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rafael checks the leg kick.
Good exchange - Julmu coming out on top.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rafael.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Julmu avoids the body shot from Rafael.
Julmu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Julmu takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Julmu takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Julmu plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Julmu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Julmu misses with a few strikes there.
Julmu throws a body kick that misses.
Rafael looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Rafael decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rafael missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rafael sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Julmu defending well though.
Rafael thows a huge punch but Julmu dodges it nicely.
Rafael sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Julmu defending well though.

Rafael is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Julmu defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Rafael thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Julmu's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael thows a huge punch but Julmu dodges it nicely.
Rafael throws a strike but Julmu avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Rafael looking to pass the guard.
Julmu 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.
Rafael scoring with some ground and pound.
Julmu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rafael.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rafael throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Julmu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Julmu pulls Rafael in to control the position.
Rafael working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Rafael showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rafael 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:28
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Rafael!