PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Omar Raharu (ranked 1952 p4p, 2392 weight class) and Rodriguez Rodriguez (ranked 229 p4p, 282 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Raharu
vs
Rodriguez

186 cm
21
185
6 - 2 - 0

175 cm
30
193
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Honest Apparel ($30 SPECIAL ALL T-Shirts!)

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Omar Raharu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rodriguez Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, William Peck and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Raharu.
Rodriguez connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Raharu with a nice calf kick.
A nice leg kick from Raharu, right into the meat of the thigh.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Raharu.
Nice shot lands for Raharu.
Rodriguez takes one to the side of the head.
Rodriguez tries a low kick but Raharu avoids it.
Rodriguez throws out a loose jab but Raharu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Raharu defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rodriguez.
Raharu throwing a counter right hand but Rodriguez manages to avoid it.
Rodriguez fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Raharu looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rodriguez scores with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Raharu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez shoots for a takedown but Raharu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Raharu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rodriguez's coach down at Ragnarok\'s Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Rodriguez's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Omar Raharu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodriguez Rodriguez.
Rodriguez has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rodriguez there as he acknowledges the shot.
We've been told by Raharu's head coaches at Team Grunt that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Rodriguez jabs at Raharu's body.
Raharu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rodriguez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Raharu throws out the jab.
Raharu throws a push kick but Rodriguez slaps the foot to one side.
Rodriguez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Raharu.
Rodriguez throws a hook but Raharu blocks it.
Rodriguez misses with a jab to the body
and Raharu counters with a two punch combo.
Raharu wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raharu scores with a shot to the body.
Raharu just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodriguez misses with a low kick.
Rodriguez misses with a hook to the body
and Raharu counters with a straight right hand.
Rodriguez is looking to score with low kicks.
Raharu went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Raharu throws a jab when Rodriguez was well out of range.
Rodriguez misses with a wild body shot.
Rodriguez misses with a right hand
and Raharu counters with an outside leg kick.
Rodriguez throws a lazy uppercut
and Rodriguez takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Donk. Raharu catches Rodriguez right on the button with a cross.
Raharu smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Raharu lands with a hook. Rodriguez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A big right from Rodriguez misses.
Rodriguez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raharu misses the body punch

and Rodriguez decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Raharu's guard.
Raharu trying to control the position here.
Rodriguez throws a big right hand that misses.
Raharu is pulling down on Rodriguez's head to control his posture.
Rodriguez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rodriguez trying to control the position but Raharu is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Raharu has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rodriguez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Raharu keeps working.

Rodriguez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Raharu knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Rodriguez goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Raharu has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Rodriguez but great work by Raharu.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Raharu off and has taken his back!
Rodriguez is trying to stick to Raharu's back but Raharu is turning into Rodriguez. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Rodriguez's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Raharu.
Rodriguez has his hands on Raharu's head, controlling the position.
Rodriguez's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Rodriguez has a closed guard, preventing Raharu from standing up.
Raharu preventing the sweep.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Raharu showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Raharu postures up.
Raharu's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Raharu stands up and waves to Rodriguez to follow him.
Raharu misses the jab.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Raharu lands a two punch combo.
Raharu is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Rodriguez with a poor takedown
and Raharu counters with a nice uppercut.
Raharu stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rodriguez.
Raharu throws the left hand but Rodriguez avoids the punch easily.
Rodriguez misses with an uppercut.
Raharu misses with a wild body shot.
Raharu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Raharu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rodriguez circles away quickly and effectively.
Raharu is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Rodriguez slips a straight right by Raharu.
Raharu swinging wildly here.
Rodriguez feints the counter takedown.
Raharu moves away from the strike by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Raharu finds it's way round the side to connect with Rodriguez's head.
Omar Raharu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Raharu misses.
Rodriguez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Rodriguez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Raharu takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Raharu is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A nice leg kick from Raharu, right into the meat of the thigh.
Raharu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rodriguez has a takedown stuffed.
Rodriguez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Raharu.
Rodriguez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Raharu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rodriguez tries for a takedown but Raharu circles away easily
and Raharu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Raharu scores with a shot to the body.
Raharu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez avoids the body shot from Raharu.
Rodriguez is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Raharu throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Rodriguez counters with a nice double leg into side control. Raharu won't be happy with that.

Rodriguez tries for a kimura but Raharu is defending well.
An elbow from Rodriguez crashes against the mat.
Raharu struggling a bit here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Omar Raharu dominated that round.
That's time! Raharu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rodriguez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown but Raharu shows good takedown defense.
Raharu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rodriguez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Raharu circles away.
Rodriguez ducks right into an uppercut from Raharu.
A slow jab from Raharu misses its intended target.
Raharu scoring well with a low kick there.
Raharu with a nice cross.
Raharu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rodriguez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez swings widly with a right hand
letting Raharu counter with a right hand.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown
and Raharu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Omar Raharu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodriguez Rodriguez.
Rodriguez fails with the takedown
and Raharu counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donk. Raharu catches Rodriguez right on the button with a cross.
Raharu throws a jab when Rodriguez was well out of range.
Rodriguez moves out of range as Raharu strikes.
Raharu throws a jab when Rodriguez was well out of range.
Rodriguez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Raharu is fending him off so far but Rodriguez persists. Nope, Raharu circles away and we're back to standing.
Rodriguez takes a swing at Raharu's ribcage but misses.
Raharu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raharu swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Raharu connects with a nice looking jab.
Raharu swings widly with a right hand

and Rodriguez counters with a single leg into guard. Raharu didn't expect that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raharu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rodriguez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to control from the top but Raharu keeps moving.
Rodriguez stopping the sweep attempt from Raharu.
Raharu seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rodriguez misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Raharu counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raharu throws out a loose jab but Rodriguez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rodriguez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Omar Raharu is winning the standup battle so far.
Rodriguez has his takedown stuffed
and Rodriguez takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Raharu throws a leg kick which misses Rodriguez's front leg but catches the back leg as Rodriguez tries to avoid it.
That kick from Raharu tenderised Rodriguez's leg. Rodriguez is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rodriguez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Raharu.
Rodriguez drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Raharu defends it well.
Raharu scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Rodriguez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Raharu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rodriguez can do to turn this around?
A looping hook to the body misses from Rodriguez. Raharu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Raharu defending well as Rodriguez loads up on a big left hand.
Rodriguez looks to land a right hand but Raharu moved out of range.
Rodriguez slips a jab from Raharu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Raharu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Raharu swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Rodriguez counters with a single leg into guard. Raharu didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodriguez trying to control but Raharu is working from the bottom.
Rodriguez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Raharu is keeping the position for now.
Raharu wants to sweep here but Rodriguez controlling him for the moment.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Raharu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Raharu will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Raharu haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
The fighters circling - Rodriguez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Raharu appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Raharu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A left lands for Raharu.
Raharu looks to land a left hand but Rodriguez moved out of range nicely.
A countering left hand to the body from Rodriguez misses.
Rodriguez throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Raharu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Raharu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rodriguez was well out of range. Poor timing from Raharu.
Nice jab there from Raharu.
Raharu scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Raharu lunges at Rodriguez with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rodriguez's hand.
Raharu scores with a nice head shot.
Rodriguez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rodriguez with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Raharu cracks Rodriguez with a right hand to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rodriguez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raharu.
Good exchange - Raharu coming out on top.
Rodriguez takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Good leg kick by Raharu.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Raharu misses with a two punch combination.
Raharu with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Raharu connects with a looping right hand.
Raharu bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rodriguez's head.
Raharu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rodriguez.
Raharu throws a shot from downtown. Rodriguez moves away and avoids it.
Rodriguez drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Raharu defends it well.
Rodriguez misses with an uppercut
and Raharu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Raharu lands a jab to the head.
Rodriguez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rodriguez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Raharu avoids it really well and circles away.
Raharu appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Raharu connects with a crisp jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Raharu. Rodriguez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Raharu works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
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!
Rodriguez misses with a leg kick
and Raharu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Raharu cracks Rodriguez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Raharu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And Rodriguez tries to counter it with a takedown but Raharu pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Rodriguez gets a takedown into half guard.

Rodriguez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Raharu doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rodriguez.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Raharu keeps working.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Omar Raharu dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rodriguez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Raharu swivels and escapes.
Raharu throws a right hand that misses
and Rodriguez counters with a stiff right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rodriguez. Raharu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Raharu scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rodriguez in his tracks.
Raharu lands with a cross.
Rodriguez slips a jab from Raharu.
Raharu on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Rodriguez has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Raharu lands with a nice combination. Rodriguez backs away looking to recover.
Rodriguez just misses with a punch to the body.
Raharu scores with the left hand. Rodriguez knows he should have avoided that one.
Raharu lands a right hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rodriguez lands a really nice looking cross but Raharu seems unphased.
Raharu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rodriguez was well out of range. Poor timing from Raharu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rodriguez throws a right hand that misses
and Raharu counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rodriguez thinking.
Rodriguez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A jab from Rodriguez misses.
Raharu swings and misses with a shot to the body

so Rodriguez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rodriguez pushing down on Raharu's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Raharu won't allow Rodriguez to pass to mount.

Rodriguez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rodriguez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rodriguez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Raharu keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raharu controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Rodriguez trying to control from Raharu's half guard. Raharu has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Rodriguez looking to sit in guard and control but Raharu gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Raharu scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raharu tries to free his leg and advance position but Rodriguez is retaining full guard.

Rodriguez has an active guard here but Raharu has managed to pass into half guard.
Rodriguez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Raharu is working away from the top position though.
Raharu misses with a head shot. Rodriguez uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Raharu showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Rodriguez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Raharu defends well.
Raharu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Raharu passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez tries to bench press Raharu off him but Raharu keeps the position.
A lull in the action here as Raharu stalls from top position.
Rodriguez is trying to control Raharu's posture but Raharu avoids it.
Rodriguez is looking to regain half guard here but Raharu keeps moving and retains side control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Raharu does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Raharu connects with a right hand. Rodriguez shakes it off.
Rodriguez walks into a jab.
Raharu falls off balance throwing a combination

so Rodriguez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rodriguez throws an elbow that misses. Raharu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rodriguez's guard. Nice move by Raharu!

Rodriguez Rodriguez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Raharu 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.

Rodriguez looking for a guillotine here but Raharu defends easily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez looking for a sweep. Not yet Rodriguez, not yet.
Raharu controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rodriguez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rodriguez can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Raharu controls the pace.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Raharu's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Rodriguez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Rodriguez throws his legs up looking for a submission but Raharu uses it to pass to side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Raharu working away.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez is trying to improve his position.
Raharu taking a breather here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Omar Raharu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodriguez fails with the takedown
and Raharu counters with a slapping leg kick.
Raharu lands a leg kick that knocks Rodriguez off balance momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Raharu blocks a leg kick.
Raharu checks a leg kick.
Rodriguez Rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodriguez moves forwards but Raharu connects with a nice, crisp jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Omar Raharu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Raharu, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Omar Raharu!
A very excited looking Omar Raharu rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.