PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ken Irrawaddy (ranked 1200 p4p, 928 weight class) and Taine Raharuhi (ranked 162 p4p, 122 weight class). Irrawaddy comes to the cage accompanied by Laos Rules!. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Irrawaddy
vs
Raharuhi

173 cm
29
155
18 - 11 - 0

180 cm
35
165
33 - 18 - 5

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ken Irrawaddy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 18 - 5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Taine Raharuhi!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, William Gold and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Irrawaddy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Raharuhi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Irrawaddy misses the body punch
and Raharuhi counters with a leg kick.
We've been informed that Raharuhi has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Irrawaddy swings for the body but Raharuhi moves out of range.
Irrawaddy moves out of range of the body kick from Raharuhi.
Taine Raharuhi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Irrawaddy throws a jab but it's blocked by Raharuhi.
Raharuhi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Raharuhi slips a straight right by Irrawaddy.
Raharuhi thuds a left hand into Irrawaddy's body.
Irrawaddy takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Irrawaddy throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Raharuhi on the side of the head.
Raharuhi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Irrawaddy was well out of range. Poor timing from Raharuhi.
Irrawaddy looks to land a left hand but Raharuhi moved out of range nicely.
Raharuhi ducks under a wild hook from Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Raharuhi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Irrawaddy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raharuhi moves away.
Irrawaddy misses the shot to the body.
Raharuhi needs to keep his hands up - Irrawaddy had a free shot at his head there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Irrawaddy thows a left - swing and a miss!
Raharuhi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Irrawaddy checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raharuhi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raharuhi moves out of range as Irrawaddy strikes.
Irrawaddy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Irrawaddy scores with a hook to the body. Raharuhi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Raharuhi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Irrawaddy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raharuhi was well out of range. Poor timing from Irrawaddy.
A solid leg kick lands there for Raharuhi.
Raharuhi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A quick step to the side and Irrawaddy tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Irrawaddy throws a jab when Raharuhi was well out of range.
Raharuhi jabs Irrawaddy to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Raharuhi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Raharuhi misses with a wild body shot.
Irrawaddy checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Irrawaddy scores with a jab to the body.
Raharuhi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Irrawaddy rather than just go for the knockout.
Irrawaddy throws a hook to the side of Raharuhi's head but Raharuhi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Irrawaddy tries to clinch up.

Irrawaddy has taken the fight to the clinch.
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!
A nice right hand lands inside from Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irrawaddy is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Raharuhi to keep the fight standing.
Irrawaddy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Irrawaddy throws a head punch that misses.
Raharuhi can't find room to land a body shot as Irrawaddy controls the action.
Raharuhi scores with a shot to the side of Irrawaddy's head.

Irrawaddy breaks the clinch.
Raharuhi misses with a double jab.
Irrawaddy with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Raharuhi to score with a decent uppercut.
Irrawaddy lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Raharuhi misses with a low kick.
Irrawaddy misses with a wild body shot.
Irrawaddy moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Irrawaddy takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Raharuhi digs a good body shot into Irrawaddy's ribs.
Raharuhi swings for the body but Irrawaddy moves out of range.
Irrawaddy throws a hook but Raharuhi avoids it easily.
Nice defenses there by Raharuhi.
Raharuhi feints a counter leg kick.
Irrawaddy throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Raharuhi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Raharuhi scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irrawaddy misses with a body punch
and Raharuhi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Irrawaddy connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Irrawaddy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Raharuhi.
Irrawaddy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Raharuhi manages to avoid it.
Irrawaddy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Irrawaddy misses with a looping right.
Irrawaddy backing away here, and Raharuhi unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Irrawaddy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Raharuhi manages to avoid it.
Raharuhi throws out a counter right but Irrawaddy avoids it with no problem.
Raharuhi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raharuhi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Raharuhi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Irrawaddy moves away.
Raharuhi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Irrawaddy manages to avoid it.
Irrawaddy is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Raharuhi.
Irrawaddy misses the shot to the body.
Raharuhi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A countering left hand to the body from Raharuhi misses.
Irrawaddy connects with a body shot.
Irrawaddy chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Raharuhi can pounce on him.
Raharuhi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raharuhi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Irrawaddy.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nice body punch from Irrawaddy - that landed with a thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raharuhi works on Irrawaddy's body with a couple of short punches.
Irrawaddy misses with a punch on the inside.
Irrawaddy working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Raharuhi tries to throw a body punch but Irrawaddy avoids it by throwing Raharuhi back against the cage.
Raharuhi misses with a knee strike.
Raharuhi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Irrawaddy fails to land.
Raharuhi has a couple of punches blocked by Irrawaddy.
A shot in the inside from Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy pushes Raharuhi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Irrawaddy pulls guard effortlessly.
Raharuhi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Irrawaddy looking for a sweep. Not yet Irrawaddy, not yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Raharuhi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Irrawaddy is looking to sweep but instead, Raharuhi has passed into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ken Irrawaddy will probably get the nod.
That's time! Irrawaddy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A big right from Irrawaddy misses.
A little jabbing left from Raharuhi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Good leg kick by Raharuhi.
Irrawaddy lands a head shot.
Raharuhi throws a leg kick but Irrawaddy checks it.
Raharuhi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Irrawaddy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Raharuhi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Raharuhi throws a leg kick that misses.
Raharuhi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy swings for the body but Raharuhi moves out of range.
Raharuhi jabs at Irrawaddy's body.
Raharuhi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Irrawaddy uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Raharuhi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Irrawaddy was well out of range. Poor timing from Raharuhi.
Irrawaddy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Irrawaddy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Irrawaddy rushes Raharuhi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Irrawaddy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Raharuhi tries a body shot but Irrawaddy blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raharuhi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Raharuhi works on Irrawaddy's body with a couple of short punches.
Nice body punch from Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy takes a shot to the head.
Raharuhi lands a left hand.
A nice left hand lands by Raharuhi.
Irrawaddy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Irrawaddy tries to throw a body punch but Raharuhi avoids it by throwing Irrawaddy back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Irrawaddy.
Raharuhi scores with a shot to the side of Irrawaddy's head.
Raharuhi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Raharuhi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Irrawaddy backwards.
Raharuhi struggles to land a body shot inside as Irrawaddy controls his hands.
Irrawaddy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Irrawaddy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Raharuhi lands a shot to the body.
Still in the clinch, Raharuhi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short uppercut from Raharuhi.
Irrawaddy blocks a body shot from Raharuhi.
Raharuhi can't find room to land a body shot as Irrawaddy controls the action.
Irrawaddy tries to throw a body punch but Raharuhi avoids it by throwing Irrawaddy back against the cage.
Taine Raharuhi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Raharuhi fails to land.
Irrawaddy tries a body shot but Raharuhi blocks it.
Irrawaddy misses with a hook to the ribs.

Irrawaddy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Irrawaddy moves away from the strike by Raharuhi.
Irrawaddy avoids the body shot from Raharuhi.
Raharuhi throws an off balance right hand
and Irrawaddy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Irrawaddy chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Raharuhi can pounce on him.
Irrawaddy throws the left hand but Raharuhi avoids the punch easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Raharuhi struggles to land a body shot inside as Irrawaddy controls his hands.
Raharuhi misses with some punches.
Irrawaddy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Irrawaddy lands a hook to the side of the head.
Irrawaddy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Irrawaddy struggles to land a body shot inside as Raharuhi controls his hands.
Raharuhi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Irrawaddy's elbow.
Irrawaddy takes a shot to the head.
Raharuhi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Raharuhi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Irrawaddy backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raharuhi lands with a right to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Raharuhi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Raharuhi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Irrawaddy tries to throw a body punch but Raharuhi avoids it by throwing Irrawaddy back against the cage.
Raharuhi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Raharuhi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Raharuhi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Raharuhi prevents a body shot from Irrawaddy.
A short right from Raharuhi on the inside.
Raharuhi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Raharuhi lands a nice uppercut.
Raharuhi misses with a punch to the body.
Irrawaddy takes a shot to the head.
Irrawaddy throws a head punch that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Raharuhi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A big left from Irrawaddy misses.
Raharuhi replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Irrawaddy blocks it well.
Raharuhi moves out of range of the strikes.
Irrawaddy tries to clinch but Raharuhi moves out of range.
Raharuhi wants to land a leg kick but Irrawaddy is out of range.
Irrawaddy was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Irrawaddy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A nice side step and Raharuhi releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Raharuhi misses.
Irrawaddy walks into a left hand.
Raharuhi thumps Irrawaddy with a low kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Irrawaddy darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Raharuhi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Irrawaddy checks it well.
Irrawaddy tries to close the distance and clinch but Raharuhi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Irrawaddy throws a jab when Raharuhi was well out of range.
Irrawaddy misses with a jab, cross combination.
Irrawaddy takes a kick to the side of the head.
Irrawaddy is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Irrawaddy throws a body punch but Raharuhi moves out of range.
Raharuhi swings for the body but Irrawaddy moves out of range.
Irrawaddy stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Raharuhi.
Raharuhi throws a nice inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Irrawaddy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Irrawaddy misses the shot to the body.
Irrawaddy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Irrawaddy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raharuhi.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Taine Raharuhi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Raharuhi looks to score with a jab to the body but Irrawaddy is just out of range.
Raharuhi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Irrawaddy.
A telegraphed right hand from Irrawaddy misses the target.

Irrawaddy gets a clinch.
Raharuhi tries a body shot but Irrawaddy blocks it.
Irrawaddy tries to circle away but Raharuhi has him pinned against the cage.
Raharuhi lands a left hand.
Raharuhi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Irrawaddy's elbow.
Irrawaddy misses with a punch to the body.
Raharuhi has a couple of punches blocked by Irrawaddy.
A head punch on the inside from Raharuhi fails to land.
Nice body punch from Raharuhi.
A right handed body shot lands from Raharuhi.
Raharuhi blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A hook to the body from Raharuhi.
Raharuhi scores with a shot to the side of Irrawaddy's head.
Raharuhi prevents a body shot from Irrawaddy.
Raharuhi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Raharuhi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Raharuhi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Raharuhi throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irrawaddy checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Irrawaddy swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Irrawaddy swings for the body but Raharuhi moves out of range.
Raharuhi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Irrawaddy with a body shot.
Raharuhi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Raharuhi lands with a nice combination. Irrawaddy backs away looking to recover.
Irrawaddy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Raharuhi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raharuhi swings for the body but Irrawaddy moves out of range.
Irrawaddy scores with a nice head shot.
Irrawaddy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raharuhi moves away.
Raharuhi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Irrawaddy.
Raharuhi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Raharuhi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Raharuhi misses with a body shot.
Irrawaddy throws a one two combo.
Irrawaddy misses the shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice cross by Raharuhi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raharuhi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Raharuhi swings for the body but Irrawaddy moves out of range.
Raharuhi lands a leg kick that knocks Irrawaddy off balance momentarily.
Irrawaddy looks to land a combination but Raharuhi avoids it well.
Raharuhi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Raharuhi. That's going to slow Irrawaddy down.
Raharuhi jabs Irrawaddy to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A chopping leg kick lands by Raharuhi.
Irrawaddy jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Raharuhi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Irrawaddy throws out the jab.
Irrawaddy moves out of range as Raharuhi strikes.
Irrawaddy misses with a hook to the body
and Raharuhi counters with a two punch combo.
Irrawaddy fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Irrawaddy avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Irrawaddy throws a hook to the side of Raharuhi's head but Raharuhi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Irrawaddy misses with a body shot
and Raharuhi counters with a low kick, right behind Irrawaddy 's knee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raharuhi misses with an uppercut.
Irrawaddy swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Raharuhi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Irrawaddy thinking.
Irrawaddy misses with a body shot.
Raharuhi takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Irrawaddy missing with a left hand there. Raharuhi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Irrawaddy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Raharuhi.
Irrawaddy lands with a shot to the body.
Irrawaddy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Raharuhi throws a head kick that half lands.
Irrawaddy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raharuhi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Irrawaddy's sensitive parts.
Raharuhi scores with a hook to the body. Irrawaddy takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Irrawaddy looks to land a left hand but Raharuhi moved out of range nicely.
Raharuhi was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Raharuhi lands a leg kick that knocks Irrawaddy off balance momentarily.
Irrawaddy throws a hook but Raharuhi blocks it.
Irrawaddy looks to score with a jab to the body but Raharuhi is just out of range.
Raharuhi circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Irrawaddy misses with a hook. Raharuhi ducked under it nicely.
Raharuhi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Irrawaddy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Irrawaddy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Raharuhi tries a head kick but it misses.
Raharuhi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Irrawaddy moves away.
Raharuhi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Raharuhi blocks a jab.
Raharuhi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Irrawaddy.
Raharuhi was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Irrawaddy has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Raharuhi.
Irrawaddy keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Irrawaddy misses the target.
Irrawaddy connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Raharuhi momentarily.
Irrawaddy throws a hook but Raharuhi avoids it easily.
Raharuhi punishes Irrawaddy's body with a nice straight punch.
Irrawaddy misses with a hook.
Jab, jab by Irrawaddy - just one landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taine Raharuhi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Raharuhi 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taine Raharuhi!
A relieved looking Taine Raharuhi thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.