PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Belchek (ranked 4733 p4p, 4703 weight class) and Filip Raroh (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.

Belchek
vs
Raroh

180 cm
25
157
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
159
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Johnny Belchek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Filip Raroh!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Sandra Marshall and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belchek swats away the attempt to clinch by Raroh.
Raroh tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Belchek paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Belchek throws a big counter combination but Raroh scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Raroh tries a head kick but it misses.
Belchek changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Raroh misses with a head kick.
Belchek throws a head kick but Raroh moves out of range.
Raroh fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Belchek closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belchek tries for a takedown but Raroh manages to get underhooks.
Raroh is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Belchek gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Belchek looking for a takedown.

Raroh lands a takedown into guard.

Belchek uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raroh takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Raroh darts in trying to clinch
and Belchek counters with a one-two to the body.

Belchek closes the distance and clinches.
The referee is keeping an eye on Raroh - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Belchek decides to pull guard.
Raroh wants to stand but Belchek is controlling his posture from full guard.

Belchek has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Raroh can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raroh won't allow Belchek to sweep him here.
Belchek wants to stand and escape but Raroh is having none of it.
Belchek pulls Raroh in close to prevent any damage.
Belchek keeping moving, preventing Raroh from controlling successfully.
Raroh tries to free his leg and advance position but Belchek is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raroh trying to control but Belchek is working from the bottom.
Raroh would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Raroh. No joy for Belchek on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Belchek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raroh takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Raroh fails with the takedown
and Belchek counters with a left and a right that stings Raroh.
Raroh throws a head kick but Belchek moves out of range.
Raroh blocks a leg kick.
Belchek ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Belchek swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raroh is looking to clinch but Belchek is avoiding it.
Raroh has a takedown stuffed.
Belchek half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Raroh looks winded!
Belchek is looking to score with low kicks.

Belchek changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Raroh looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Belchek is looking to take a break and control but Raroh is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Belchek in side control lands a decent elbow.
Belchek trying to control the position but Raroh is working away.
Raroh takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Belchek dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Raroh throws a front kick that sends Belchek stumbling back into the cage.
Johnny Belchek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice leg kick lands there from Belchek.
Belchek tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Belchek fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Raroh avoids it really well and circles away.
Belchek motions for Raroh to come forward. Belchek throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Raroh fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Belchek gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Belchek breaks the clinch.
Belchek cracks Raroh with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Belchek fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Raroh, pushing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belchek changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Raroh fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Belchek throws a low kick but Raroh moves out of range easily.
Belchek has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Belchek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belchek takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Raroh jabs at Belchek's body.

Raroh moves into the clinch.
Raroh using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Belchek on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Raroh's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnny Belchek is winning the standup battle so far.
Belchek blocks a head kick by Raroh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Raroh has managed to clinch.
Raroh tries for a takedown. No joy.
Raroh is breathing heavily.
Raroh landing knees to the head.
Raroh goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Raroh manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Raroh breaks from the clinch.

Belchek scores with a takedown into Raroh's guard.
Johnny Belchek overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Belchek stands up over Raroh, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belchek postures up.
Belchek stands up over Raroh, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belchek controls from within his opponent's guard.
Belchek scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Belchek sitting in guard here, content to control.
Belchek passes Raroh's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Raroh looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Belchek drops an elbow to the side of Raroh's head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Belchek connects with a nice short shot to Raroh's temple.
Belchek seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Raroh does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Belchek is nestled in close to Raroh, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Belchek not doing much here.
Belchek working Raroh over with strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Johnny Belchek will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Belchek fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Raroh sprawls well initially but Belchek persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Raroh manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Belchek keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Raroh.
Raroh tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Belchek just stands there and leans against the cage.

Belchek breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Belchek tries to land a leg kick but Raroh saw it coming and moves away.

Raroh manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Belchek on his heels. He'll look to pass Belchek's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Belchek looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Belchek is pulling down on Raroh's head. It's preventing any offense from Raroh, at least for the moment.

Belchek looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Raroh takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raroh wants to pass the guard but Belchek is keeping the position.
Raroh wants to stand but Belchek is controlling his posture from full guard.
Belchek pulls Raroh in close to his closed guard and prevents Raroh from doing any damage or advancing position.

Raroh drops back, looking for a kneebar! Belchek looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Belchek looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Belchek!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Raroh is working to avoid the ground and pound but Belchek connects with a decent elbow.

Belchek is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Raroh is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Belchek is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Raroh can do to turn this around?
Belchek working the ground and pound.
Raroh tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Belchek easily slips into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belchek is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Raroh can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Belchek lands a nice shot to the head.
Belchek controlling from mount.
Belchek 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.
A nice elbow there by Belchek.
Belchek is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Raroh can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Belchek sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Belchek raining down shots from the mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belchek lands a heavy elbow.
Raroh wants to hold on but Belchek pushes him away.
Belchek landing strikes from the mount.

Raroh is rocked!
Belchek connects with a bit shot that sees Raroh covering up! More strikes from Belchek and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Belchek is our winner by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Johnny Belchek!