PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shane MacGowan (ranked 593 p4p, 82 weight class) and Thomas Raske (ranked 564 p4p, 76 weight class). MacGowan's entrance music is The Pogues - Streams of Whiskey. A fine choice. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

MacGowan
vs
Raske

185 cm
24
180 lbs
14 - 5 - 1

188 cm
27
185 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Groove Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 14 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shane MacGowan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Raske!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Chad Campbell and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raske lands a leg kick that knocks MacGowan off balance momentarily.
A jab from MacGowan finds it's way through Raske's defenses.
Raske swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by MacGowan.
Raske throws a low kick but it's checked well by MacGowan.
Raske thumps MacGowan with a low kick.
MacGowan punishes Raske's body with a nice straight punch.
Jab, jab by Raske - just one landing.
Raske feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to MacGowan's calf.
Raske misses with a wild combination.
MacGowan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Raske wants to clinch but MacGowan slips to the side
and MacGowan counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Raske blocks a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raske fakes high and swings low for a body shot but MacGowan manages to avoid it.
MacGowan sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Thomas Raske seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raske throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Raske tries a head kick but it misses.
MacGowan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raske.
MacGowan paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Raske throws a chopping leg kick but MacGowan manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
It looked like MacGowan was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Raske.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from MacGowan misses the target.
MacGowan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Raske turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Raske lands with a kick to the temple. MacGowan shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Raske dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on MacGowan. That did some damage!
A chopping leg kick lands by Raske.
Raske scores with a nice body kick.
A big right from MacGowan misses.
MacGowan moves out of range as Raske strikes.
MacGowan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Raske moves into the clinch successfully.
MacGowan tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
MacGowan tries to land knees in the clinch but Raske avoids the damage to the body.
MacGowan throws a punch but it's blocked by Raske.
MacGowan scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Raske has a couple of punches blocked by MacGowan.
A shot in the inside from MacGowan.
Raske tries to work over MacGowan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raske misses with a hook to the ribs.
MacGowan throws a head punch that misses.
MacGowan blocks a body shot from Raske.
MacGowan prevents a body shot from Raske.
MacGowan blocks an uppercut.
MacGowan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Raskes head.
MacGowan throws a head punch that misses.
MacGowan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Raske misses with a hook to the ribs.
Raske lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Raske digs a right hand underneath MacGowan's ribcage. MacGowan let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Raske gets through MacGowan's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Raske lands a left hand that snaps the head of MacGowan backwards.
Raske lands a right hand.
MacGowan prevents a body shot from Raske.

MacGowan turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
MacGowan cracks Raske with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Raske wants to control but MacGowan postures up.
Raske on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Raske manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan throwing shots but Raske is blocking nicely.
MacGowan working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
MacGowan thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Raske trying to control but MacGowan postures up.
Raske is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of MacGowan's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take MacGowan's back!
MacGowan rolls, trying to escape but Raske keeps control of the position.
MacGowan has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

MacGowan showing good submission defense here.

Raske working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
MacGowan tries to roll but Raske sticks to his back.

Raske is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

MacGowan is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Raske gets his way!
MacGowan rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan moves into full guard.
Raske trying to control the position from guard on top but MacGowan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
MacGowan wants to sweep but no luck.
MacGowan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
MacGowan keeping full guard, as Raske tries to pass.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raske is still trying to improve position.
Raske wants to control from the top but MacGowan keeps moving.
Raske looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Raske dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

MacGowan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Raske takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
MacGowan misses with a wild body shot.
MacGowan misses with a wild body shot.
MacGowan throws a right and a left that Raske avoids nicely.
Thomas Raske seems to be getting the better of the standup.
MacGowan stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Raske.
Raske misses with a body kick.
A quick step to the side and MacGowan tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raske lands a jab.
Raske slips a jab from MacGowan.
Raske moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Raske scores with a jab to the head.
Raske takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

It looks like Thomas Raske has been cut.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as MacGowan checks a leg kick.
Raske thumps MacGowan with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big left from MacGowan misses.
Raske scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Raske throws a quick inside leg kick.
Raske scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacGowan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Raske.
Thomas Raske is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
MacGowan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Raske misses the target.
MacGowan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Raske scores with a push kick.
Raske tries to land a leg kick but MacGowan saw it coming and moves away.
Raske lands a glancing blow to the side of MacGowan's head.
MacGowan scores with a crisp jab that stopped Raske in his tracks.
A chopping leg kick lands by Raske.
MacGowan blocks a low kick nicely.
MacGowan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raske moves away.
Raske has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Raske keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from MacGowan.
MacGowan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raske moves away.
MacGowan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Raske.
Raske wants to slow MacGowan down by chopping away at his legs.
Raske avoids the body shot from MacGowan.
Raske tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but MacGowan was well out of range. Poor timing from Raske.
MacGowan swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Raske. That one must have hurt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
MacGowan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Raske.
Raske buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
MacGowan has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Raske finds it's way round the side to connect with MacGowan's head.
Raske ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Raske steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Raske throws a hook to the side of MacGowan's head but MacGowan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Raske turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Raske with a jab.
MacGowan shoots in looking for a takedown. Raske tries to sprawl out of it but MacGowan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Raske manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
MacGowan looks to land a left hand but Raske moved out of range nicely.
MacGowan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Raske connects with a solid leg kick.
Raske throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Raske tries a low kick but MacGowan avoids it.
MacGowan misses with an uppercut. Raske saw that one coming.
Raske lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raske misses with a leg kick
and MacGowan counters with a nice body shot.
Raske lands a nice shot that snaps MacGowan's head back.
MacGowan lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Raske at a distance.
Raske uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by MacGowan.
Raske tried to score with a low kick but MacGowan checks it.
MacGowan throws out a loose jab but Raske uses good head movement to avoid it.
An inside leg kick from Raske misses.
MacGowan was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Raske turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Raske connects with a good right hand that stumbles MacGowan. MacGowan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
MacGowan needs to keep his hands up - Raske had a free shot at his head there.
A good leg kick by Raske.
The fighters circling - Raske throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
MacGowan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
MacGowan throws a jab when Raske was well out of range.
MacGowan ducks under a wild hook from Raske.
MacGowan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Raske only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Raske throws a low kick, looking for MacGowan's leg but MacGowan calmly moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raske throws the left hand but MacGowan avoids the punch easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raske drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
MacGowan checks the leg kick.
MacGowan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Raske.
MacGowan throws a body punch but Raske moves out of range.
MacGowan looks to score with a jab to the body but Raske is just out of range.
Raske throws a low kick but MacGowan moves out of range easily.
Raske tries to land a leg kick but MacGowan saw it coming and moves away.
Raske scoring well with a low kick there.
Raske connects with a solid leg kick.
MacGowan has a takedown stuffed.
Raske delivers a nice body kick.
MacGowan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
MacGowan throws a body shot but no joy.
MacGowan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Raske can pounce on him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Raske showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Thomas Raske's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nice uppercut there from Raske.
Raske throws a nice head kick!
Raske misses with a low kick as MacGowan jumps back.
MacGowan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Raske.
MacGowan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Raske.
A left lands for MacGowan.
Raske has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Raske throws a leg kick that misses.
Raske lands a nice leg kick that just misses MacGowan's sensitive parts.
Raske cracks MacGowan with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
MacGowan slips a jab from Raske.
Raske lands a nice shot to the body.
MacGowan throws a jab when Raske was well out of range.
MacGowan will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Raske.
Raske is looking to score with low kicks.
Raske throws a head kick but MacGowan moves out of range.
Raske misses with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An inside leg kick lands from Raske.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacGowan misses the shot to the body.
Donk. MacGowan catches Raske right on the button with a cross.
Raske swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Raske moves forwards but MacGowan connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Raske ducks down and throws a hook to the body but MacGowan moves away.
MacGowan missing with a left hand there. Raske was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Raske lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
MacGowan shoots for a takedown but Raske saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Raske looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Raske throws a hook but MacGowan blocks it.
A swing and a miss from MacGowan.
Raske throws an overhand right that lands on MacGowan's shoulder, as MacGowan tries to avoid the shot.
MacGowan blocks a leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Raske misses.
MacGowan throws a body punch but Raske moves out of range.
Good exchange - Raske coming out on top.
Raske throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shane MacGowan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan takes a swing at Raske's ribcage but misses.
Raske was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Raske shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Raske fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches MacGowan on the side of the head.
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!
MacGowan looks to throw the jab but Raske is out of range.
Raske just misses with a punch to the body.
MacGowan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
The crowd cheers as Raske lands an impressive looking overhand right. MacGowan doesn't seem phased though.
Raske thumps MacGowan with a low kick.
MacGowan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Raske connects with a body shot.
Raske fakes the leg kick and cracks MacGowan in the body.
Raske walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. MacGowan checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Raske ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Raske connects with a jab.
Raske scores with a three punch combo!

MacGowan scores with a takedown into Raske's guard.
Raske is trying to keep MacGowan in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan distracts Raske with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
MacGowan distracts Raske with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
MacGowan stands up over Raske, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
MacGowan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
MacGowan cracks Raske with a solid left hand.
Raske looking for a sweep. Not yet Raske, not yet.

Raske is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and MacGowan defends well.
MacGowan 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.
Raske takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Raske working for a triangle but MacGowan defends it easily.
MacGowan works over Raske with some ground and pound from guard.
MacGowan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
MacGowan lands a couple of decent looking shots.
MacGowan cracks Raske with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Raske looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
MacGowan is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Raske is rocked!
MacGowan with a nice head shot there.
Raske is still in real trouble! Can MacGowan finish him?
MacGowan is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
MacGowan landing some decent shots from guard.
MacGowan makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Raske has his foot on MacGowan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. MacGowan works his way back into a safe position though.

MacGowan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Raske has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, MacGowan has managed to get both his arms back between Raske's legs - danger averted.
MacGowan lands a couple of digs.

Raske is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. MacGowan is aware though and is defending well.
Raske has momentary wrist control but MacGowan slips an elbow through the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
MacGowan postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Raske covers up, he's hurt! MacGowan keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from MacGowan and the ref steps in to end the fight! MacGowan can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Shane MacGowan!
Shane MacGowan decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.