PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ezekiel Rawlins (ranked 4381 p4p, 2933 weight class) and Ani Kwata (ranked 515 p4p, 369 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Rawlins
vs
Kwata

190 cm
26
210
2 - 2 - 0

192 cm
26
205
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ezekiel Rawlins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ani Kwata!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Bart Greer and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick from Rawlins, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kwata shoots in but Rawlins avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rawlins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kwata moves away.
Rawlins throws a body shot but no joy.
Kwata misses with a takedown attempt
and Rawlins counters with a nice uppercut.
Kwata on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rawlins is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kwata.
Rawlins keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ezekiel Rawlins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ani Kwata.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kwata shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rawlins napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rawlins is looking to get back to his feet here but Kwata is keeping cool and he's managed to take Rawlins's back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kwata lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Kwata.
Rawlins breaks Kwata's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Rawlins stopping the sweep attempt from Kwata.
Kwata is still trying to improve position.
Rawlins tries to free his leg and advance position but Kwata is retaining full guard.
Kwata has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Rawlins has gone for a leg lock! Kwata slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rawlins's guard.

Rawlins has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kwata is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Rawlins.
Rawlins definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kwata wants to control but Rawlins is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kwata working the head with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kwata working the ground and pound.
Rawlins manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Rawlins is trying to maintain the position but Kwata is very close to passing his half guard.
Rawlins is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kwata scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kwata landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Rawlins is rocked!
Kwata scores with a big shot! Rawlins's head bounced off the canvas with a huge thud! More strikes land and the referee has jumped in to save Rawlins! He was hurt real bad - good stoppage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ani Kwata!