PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hanley Ramirez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rik McRae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ramirez's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Take it in Blood -- Nas. McRae comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Slipknot - Before I Forget kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rik McRae has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Hanley Ramirez's chin.

Ramirez
vs
McRae

180 cm
32
179 lbs
22 - 9 - 0

189 cm
33
198 lbs
19 - 9 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 22 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Hanley Ramirez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Rik McRae!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ramirez misses with a head kick.
Ramirez moves forwards but McRae connects with a nice, crisp jab.
McRae just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Ramirez. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ramirez.
McRae looks to score with a jab to the body but Ramirez is just out of range.
A good leg kick by McRae.
McRae blocks a jab.
Ramirez scores with a punch to the head.
Ramirez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ramirez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ramirez wants to land a leg kick but McRae is out of range.
Ramirez connects with a body shot that sends McRae's belly button to the back.
McRae connects with an inside leg kick.
McRae pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McRae slips a straight right by Ramirez.
Ramirez throws a hook but McRae blocks it.
Ramirez works the jab nicely.
Ramirez lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McRae thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ramirez misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McRae lands a jab to the nose.
Ramirez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McRae looks to score with a jab to the body but Ramirez is just out of range.
McRae fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ramirez checks it well.
McRae blocks a jab.

McRae shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ramirez's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
McRae missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McRae trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McRae trying to control but Ramirez is working from the bottom.
McRae looking to sit in guard and control but Ramirez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ramirez won't allow McRae to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

McRae is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

McRae throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Ramirez escapes and throws McRae's legs to the side, diving into side control!
McRae is looking for a sweep.
McRae keeps trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRae is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ramirez's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
McRae tries to roll over but Ramirez keeps him under control.
The fighters are battling for position here. McRae manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ramirez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

McRae looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
McRae trying to keep a closed guard but Ramirez is proving a slippery customer.

McRae throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McRae working for submissions but it's allowed Ramirez to get to half guard.

McRae looking for submissions off his back.
McRae wants to get back to full guard but Ramirez has mounted him!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McRae is in all sorts of trouble here.
McRae manages to regain half guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rik McRae dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McRae throws a leg kick but Ramirez sees it coming and moves out of range.
McRae misses with an uppercut. Ramirez saw that one coming.
McRae on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ramirez throws a hook to the side of McRae's head but McRae sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McRae tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ramirez throws the left hand but McRae avoids the punch easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ramirez.
McRae cracks Ramirez with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ramirez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ramirez avoids the body shot from McRae.
McRae thows a body kick. Ramirez tries to catch it but that hurt him.
McRae connects with a leg kick. Ramirez looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ramirez thumps McRae with a low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ramirez misses with a head kick.
A shot to the liver by McRae. Beautiful body shot.
That kick from McRae tenderised Ramirez's leg. Ramirez is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hanley Ramirez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McRae drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McRae.
A punch combination from Ramirez misses.
Ramirez misses with a wild body shot.
McRae swinging wildly here.
Ramirez misses with a body shot.
Hanley Ramirez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McRae takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ramirez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big right from Ramirez misses.
Ramirez looks to throw the jab but McRae is out of range.
McRae throws the kick towards the body but Ramirez avoids it.
Ramirez scores with a decent looking hook.
Good standup being displayed there by Ramirez as he connects with a hook.
McRae misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McRae throws a hook to the side of Ramirez's head but Ramirez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ramirez slips a jab from McRae.
Ramirez lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McRae ducks under a wild hook from Ramirez.
Ramirez misses with a wild combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McRae.
Ramirez throws a jab when McRae was well out of range.
A jab from Ramirez misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McRae bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
No joy there for McRae, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ramirez checks a low kick from McRae.
Ramirez digs a good hook to McRae's body.
Good leg kick by Ramirez there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
McRae throws a solid leg kick but Ramirez takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McRae.
McRae thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ramirez scores with a head kick.
Ramirez goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McRae scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ramirez in his tracks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McRae.
McRae throws the kick towards the body but Ramirez avoids it.
Ramirez swinging wildly here.
McRae's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ramirez connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! McRae scrambles back to his feet.
McRae takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
McRae misses with a looping left.
McRae misses with a hook.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ramirez.
Ramirez throws a front kick aimed at McRae's knee but McRae avoids it well.
Jab, jab by Ramirez - just one landing.
Ramirez checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ramirez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ramirez takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
McRae loads up on a big right hand but Ramirez slips the punch.
McRae misses with a left hand
and McRae takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McRae misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McRae looks to throw the jab but Ramirez is out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ramirez scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
McRae fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ramirez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ramirez avoids the body shot from McRae.
McRae with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ramirez to score with a decent uppercut.
McRae throws a leg kick but Ramirez sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hanley Ramirez is winning the standup battle so far.
Ramirez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McRae manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McRae lands a leg kick that knocks Ramirez off balance momentarily.
A looping hook to the body misses from McRae. Ramirez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ramirez scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
McRae wants to land a leg kick but Ramirez is out of range.
McRae on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ramirez throws a predictable looking body shot
and McRae counters with a left to the body.
McRae fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ramirez checks it well.
McRae is looking to land body kicks.
Ramirez moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hanley Ramirez dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

McRae takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice body punch from McRae.
A jab from Ramirez finds it's way through McRae's defenses.
Ramirez is looking to clinch.
Ramirez throws a body kick that misses.
McRae defending well as Ramirez loads up on a big left hand.
Ramirez throws a combination that misses
and McRae counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McRae throws a leg kick but Ramirez sees it coming and checks it nicely.
McRae has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ramirez finds it's way round the side to connect with McRae's head.
McRae lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A punch combination from Ramirez misses.
McRae slips a jab from Ramirez.
Ramirez misses the jab.
McRae scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ramirez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McRae turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ramirez on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez just misses with a punch to the body.
Ramirez feints and then cracks McRae's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McRae down.
McRae throws a wild body kick that Ramirez sees coming a mile off.
McRae tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ramirez pivots, looking for a leg kick but McRae is out of range and Ramirez settles back down.
Ramirez cracks McRae with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
McRae ducks under a wild hook from Ramirez.
Ramirez looks to score with a jab to the body but McRae is just out of range.
Ramirez misses with a hook
and McRae counters with a body kick that stops Ramirez in his tracks momentarily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McRae slips a jab from Ramirez.
Ramirez blocks a head kick by McRae.
Ramirez connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
McRae throws a body punch but Ramirez moves out of range.

Ramirez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McRae misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ramirez.
Ramirez misses with some punches.
McRae blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez throws a punch but it's blocked by McRae.
McRae is looking to break free of the clinch but Ramirez has double underhooks.

McRae pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McRae lands with a nice combination. Ramirez backs away looking to recover.

McRae shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
McRae throwing shots but Ramirez is blocking nicely.
Ramirez is trying to maintain the position but McRae is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McRae is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
McRae is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRae forces his way into half guard.
McRae wants to control but Ramirez is keeping him busy.
McRae wants to pass to mount but Ramirez is defending the position.
McRae looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
McRae misses with a head shot. Ramirez uses the momentum to regain guard.
McRae pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ramirez is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McRae has gone for a leg lock! Ramirez slips out almost immediately though and dives into McRae's guard.
McRae wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

McRae looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ramirez stopping the sweep attempt from McRae.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rik McRae comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McRae has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rik McRae!
Rik McRae decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.