PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Courtney Todd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cecep Arif Rahman (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.

Todd
vs
Arif Rahman

184 cm
22
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Courtney Todd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Cecep Arif Rahman!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Paul Aken and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Todd gets caught napping as Arif Rahman dives in and scores a takedown. Todd manages to retain guard.

Todd has his foot on Arif Rahman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Arif Rahman works his way back into a safe position though.
Arif Rahman with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Todd is trying to keep Arif Rahman in close.
Arif Rahman seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Todd has Arif Rahman pulled in close to control his posture.
Arif Rahman trying to control but Todd is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Todd is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Todd lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Todd is looking to work some ground and pound but Arif Rahman has wrist control.
Todd won't allow Arif Rahman to sweep him here.
Arif Rahman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Arif Rahman has an active guard here but Todd has managed to pass into half guard.
Todd working Arif Rahman over with strikes.
Arif Rahman wants to control but Todd is keeping busy.
Todd lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Arif Rahman is looking to improve his position.
Todd 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arif Rahman trying to control from the bottom.
Todd working the head and body with strikes.
Todd landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Todd lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Todd throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Todd is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Todd lands a nice short elbow.
Todd trying to control the action but Arif Rahman is working from the bottom.
Todd takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Arif Rahman has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Todd is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arif Rahman pushes Todd off looking to stand but Todd dives back in and keeps control.
Todd sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Arif Rahman gets a takedown into half guard.
Todd keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Todd has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Arif Rahman is working away from the top position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Todd keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Todd is staying active underneath Arif Rahman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
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 Courtney Todd will probably get the nod.
That's time! Todd's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Arif Rahman misses with a two punch combination.

Arif Rahman feints and as Todd raises his hands in defense, Arif Rahman changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Todd is on top in guard.

Todd cracks Arif Rahman with a solid left hand.
Todd content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Todd scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Arif Rahman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Todd content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Todd working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Courtney Todd overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Todd scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Todd throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Arif Rahman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Todd keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Arif Rahman's head.
Todd is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Todd throws a big right hand that misses.
Todd scoring with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Todd accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Todd keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Arif Rahman's head.

Arif Rahman has his foot on Todd's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Todd works his way back into a safe position though.
Arif Rahman is breathing heavily.
Todd stands up over Arif Rahman, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Todd with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Todd throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Arif Rahman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Todd showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Todd trying to control but Arif Rahman is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arif Rahman shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Todd's guard.
Todd is pulling down on Arif Rahman's head. It's preventing any offense from Arif Rahman, at least for the moment.

Todd is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Todd wants to get back to his feet but Arif Rahman passes into half guard.
Todd wants to control but Arif Rahman is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Todd is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Arif Rahman pulls his head out easily.
Todd is concentrating on defense, preventing Arif Rahman from advancing position.
Todd is looking to get back to full guard here but Arif Rahman has managed to pass to side control instead.
Todd wants to control but Arif Rahman postures up.
Todd is not content to let Arif Rahman control the position.
Todd tries to buck Arif Rahman off but Arif Rahman is having none of it.
Todd is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Arif Rahman tries to advance to mount but can't.
Arif Rahman working away.
Arif Rahman prevents Todd from escaping the position.
Todd gets back to half guard.
Todd blocking the ground and pound attempt from Arif Rahman.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Arif Rahman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Arif Rahman fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Todd sprawls well initially but Arif Rahman persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Cecep Arif Rahman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Arif Rahman closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Todd to the mat! Todd manages to get full guard.
Todd pulls Arif Rahman in close to prevent any damage.
Todd trying to keep a closed guard but Arif Rahman is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Todd keeping moving, preventing Arif Rahman from controlling successfully.
Arif Rahman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Todd is controlling Arif Rahman's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Todd has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Todd working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Arif Rahman.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Arif Rahman bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Arif Rahman misses with the ground and pound.
Todd wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Arif Rahman in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Arif Rahman looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Arif Rahman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Todd's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Arif Rahman tries for a kimura but Todd is defending well.
Arif Rahman working away.
Arif Rahman trying to control the action but Todd is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Todd is trying to control Arif Rahman's posture but Arif Rahman avoids it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Todd has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Todd moves away from the strike by Arif Rahman.
Arif Rahman misses with an attempted mid kick.

Arif Rahman is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Todd's half guard.
Arif Rahman trying to control from half guard but Todd is working away.
Todd is controlling Arif Rahman's trapped leg to prevent Arif Rahman from advancing to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Todd looks like he's trying to stand up.
Todd makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Todd.
Arif Rahman won't allow Todd to sweep him here.
Todd controlling the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Todd avoids the head kick by Arif Rahman.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cecep Arif Rahman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Arif Rahman 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cecep Arif Rahman!