PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Inclan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dire Rhea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rafael Inclan had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Inclan
vs
Rhea

225 cm
34
165 lbs
10 - 25 - 0

150 cm
22
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Great low kicks
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Inclan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dire Rhea!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rhea throws a head kick that misses.
Inclan avoids the head kick by Rhea.
Rhea tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Inclan shoots and misses
and Rhea counters with a body kick.
Inclan misses with a takedown

and Rhea counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Inclan breaks from the clinch.
Inclan tries to close the distance and clinch but Rhea swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rhea throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Rhea moves into the clinch.

Inclan manages to break the clinch.
Inclan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Inclan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rhea will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Inclan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rhea as he jumps to the side.

Rhea closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rhea lands a shot to the body.
Inclan misses with a knee to the head.
Inclan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rhea just stands there and leans against the cage.

Rhea escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Inclan throws a leg kick but Rhea moved away.
Rhea tries a head kick but it misses.
Inclan throws a body kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhea throws a sloppy head kick and Inclan moves out of range easily.
Rhea misses with a head kick.
Rhea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rhea tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rhea throws a head kick but Inclan moves out of range.
Inclan with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Inclan tries for a takedown but Rhea sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Inclan tries to clinch but Rhea is having none of it.
Rhea circles away from the clinch attempt
and Rhea finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Rafael Inclan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Inclan fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhea misses with a head kick.
Inclan really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rhea throws a wild body kick that Inclan sees coming a mile off.
Rhea just misses with a punch to the body.
Inclan has his takedown stuffed
and Rhea makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Rhea slips a straight right by Inclan.
An inside leg kick lands from Rhea.
Rhea throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rhea pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Inclan tries to clinch but Rhea is having none of it.
Rhea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've been informed that Rhea has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Inclan blocks a head kick by Rhea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhea turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rhea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Inclan shoots and misses
and Rhea counters with a good low kick that Inclan was not able to check.

Inclan moves into the clinch successfully.
Inclan displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rhea up against the cage.

Rhea escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Inclan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rhea tries to avoid it but Inclan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rhea to the ground. Rhea escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rhea throws a sloppy head kick and Inclan moves out of range easily.
Nice takedown defense from Rhea. No joy for Inclan on that attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Inclan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rhea tries a head kick but it misses.
Rafael Inclan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rhea slips a jab and a cross from Inclan.
Rhea tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rhea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Inclan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rhea tries to clinch but Inclan is having none of it.
Rhea misses with a head kick.
Inclan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dire Rhea seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rhea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rhea blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inclan avoids the head kick by Rhea.
Rhea circles away from the clinch attempt.
Inclan with a poor takedown
and Rhea counters with an outside leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Inclan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rhea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Inclan darts in looking for a takedown but Rhea gets double underhooks and turns Inclan into the cage.
Inclan is looking to take this one to the mat.
Rhea has Inclan pressed against the cage.
Inclan jumps guard but Rhea stands there with Inclan around his waist. Inclan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rhea has had enough of the clinch but Inclan keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rhea breaks from the clinch.
Inclan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rhea pinned against the cage. Rhea gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Inclan fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rhea is out of range.
A good leg kick by Rhea.
Inclan shoots for a takedown but Rhea saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Inclan takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Rhea throws a sloppy head kick
and Inclan counters with a big head kick but Rhea shrugs it off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rhea throws a head kick that misses.
Inclan blocks a head kick by Rhea.
Inclan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rhea counters with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Inclan is defended easily by Rhea.
Rhea avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rhea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Inclan.
Rhea throws a head kick that misses.
Inclan throws a half hearted mid kick.
Inclan fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhea moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rhea tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Inclan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rhea defends well and Inclan ends up having to push Rhea into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Inclan is trying to pull guard but Rhea has him pressed against the cage.
Inclan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Inclan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rhea just stands there and leans against the cage.

Inclan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rhea circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rhea tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dire Rhea will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rhea is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Inclan looks for a takedown but Rhea sprawls well.
No luck for Inclan with that takedown attempt.
Rhea throws a sloppy head kick and Inclan moves out of range easily.
Inclan avoids the head kick by Rhea.
Inclan avoids the head kick by Rhea.
Rhea blocks a leg kick.
Inclan tries to close the distance and clinch but Rhea swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Inclan tries to land a front kick but Rhea steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inclan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rhea.
Horrible takedown attempt by Inclan or perhaps it was just good defense by Rhea, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Inclan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rhea looks to land a body kick but Inclan moved away.
Inclan doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rhea counters with a big head kick but Inclan shrugs it off.
Rhea tries to clinch but Inclan moves out of range.
Inclan blocks a head kick by Rhea.
Rhea throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rhea lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inclan gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rhea counters with a low kick, right behind Inclan 's knee.
Rhea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Rhea has taken the fight to the clinch.
Inclan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rhea to keep the fight standing.

Rhea breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick misses from Rhea.
Rhea throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A punch combination from Inclan misses.
Inclan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rhea swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Inclan avoids the head kick by Rhea.
Inclan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rhea takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Inclan moves in looking to clinch but Rhea pushes him off.
Inclan has a takedown stuffed.
Inclan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rhea swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rhea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rhea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rhea lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A low kick from Inclan is predictable there
and Rhea counters with an outside leg kick.

Inclan forces Rhea back against the cage and clinches.
Rhea blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhea trying to land knees to the body.

Rhea manages to break the clinch.
Rhea with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Inclan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rhea sprawls well. Rhea wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Inclan gets slowly back to his feet.
Inclan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rhea pinned against the cage. Rhea gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Inclan. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Inclan shoots and misses
and Rhea counters with a thumping low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick misses from Rhea.
Rhea tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dire Rhea really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rhea buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rhea throws a head kick but Inclan moves out of range.
Rhea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Inclan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Inclan has a takedown stuffed.
Inclan avoids the head kick by Rhea.
Rhea tries a head kick but it misses.
Inclan tries a low kick but Rhea avoids it.
Rhea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rhea is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Inclan avoids the head kick by Rhea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inclan blocks a head kick by Rhea.
Rhea tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Inclan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Inclan tries to clinch there but Rhea circles away.
Rhea circles away from the clinch attempt

and Rhea counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rhea.
Inclan wants to take the fight to the mat but Rhea manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Inclan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rhea's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Inclan darts in and clinches Rhea up against the cage.

Inclan breaks the clinch.
Inclan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rhea sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Inclan somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inclan tries a head kick but it misses.
Inclan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rhea circles away.

Rhea moves into range and clinches up with Inclan.
Inclan tries for a takedown but Rhea manages to get underhooks.
Rhea prevents a body shot from Inclan.

Rhea breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Inclan tries to sprawl but Rhea drives through with a takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rhea with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Dire Rhea.
Inclan tries to clinch
and Rhea counters with an inside leg kick.
Inclan shoots in but Rhea avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rhea throws a wild body kick that Inclan sees coming a mile off.

Rhea moves into the clinch.
Rhea tries to break the clinch but Inclan is controlling the position.
Rhea stops a takedown attempt from Inclan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rhea breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Inclan shoots in but no luck this time.
Inclan has his takedown stuffed

and Rhea counters by clinching up.

Inclan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rhea tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Inclan was well out of range. Poor timing from Rhea.

Rhea has Inclan up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rhea jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Inclan walks away with a smile on his face. Rhea gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rhea pushes Inclan away with a front kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dire Rhea dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Inclan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rhea swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Inclan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rhea counters with an outside leg kick.
Rhea misses with a head kick.
Inclan blocks a head kick by Rhea.
Inclan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rhea connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Inclan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rhea defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Inclan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Inclan fails with a takedown attempt.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inclan avoids the head kick by Rhea.
Inclan blocks a head kick by Rhea.
Nice sprawl there from Rhea as Inclan shoots in.
Inclan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rhea defends well and Inclan ends up having to push Rhea into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Rhea jumps guard and drags Inclan to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Inclan landing with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Inclan postures up in Rhea's guard and throws a big left but Rhea blocks it.
Dire Rhea is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhea is wriggling around but Inclan manages to pass to half guard.

Inclan stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Rhea throws a head kick but Inclan moves out of range.
Rhea throws a sloppy body shot

and Inclan counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rhea jumps guard and drags Inclan to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Rhea controlling Inclan's posture.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Inclan trying to control the position from guard on top but Rhea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rafael Inclan.
Inclan tries for a takedown but Rhea circles away easily
and Rhea counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Inclan dives in and grabs Rhea's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rhea pushes down on Inclan's head and hops out.
Rhea throws a sloppy head kick and Inclan moves out of range easily.
Rhea defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Inclan.
Inclan throws a body punch but Rhea moves out of range.
Rhea pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Inclan shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rhea counters with a nice leg kick.
Inclan avoids the head kick by Rhea.

Rhea pushes Inclan up against the cage in a clinch.
Inclan prevents Rhea from breaking the clinch.
Rafael Inclan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Inclan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rhea.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dire Rhea.
Well Rhea has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 45:50
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 45:50
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dire Rhea!