PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Rawls (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Hebert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rawls
vs
Hebert

178 cm
22
208 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

185 cm
25
217 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Rawls!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sam Hebert!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rawls shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hebert but Hebert pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Rawls shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Rawls seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawls is keen to just control but Hebert is a slippery customer.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Rawls in particular looking to stall.

The referee stands the fighters back up. John Rawls just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Hebert throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rawls.
Rawls throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hebert tries to close the distance and clinch but Rawls swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hebert tries to clinch up.
Rawls shoots in for a takedown but Hebert shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rawls bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hebert trying to remain calm as Rawls controls from the top position.
Hebert stops Rawls from passing to mount.
Rawls controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rawls is looking to take a break and control but Hebert is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Rawls prevents Hebert from escaping the position.
Rawls is trying to move to mount but Hebert reverses beautifully and ends up in Rawls's guard.

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.
Hebert wants to get up but he can't break Rawls's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Rawls dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rawls takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Rawls shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hebert but Hebert pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hebert scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick from Hebert lands but Rawls takes it in his stride.
Rawls fails with a takedown attempt.
Hebert tries to clinch but Rawls moves out of range.
Hebert tries to close the distance and clinch but Rawls swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rawls fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hebert feints and then cracks Rawls's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rawls down.

Rawls shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hebert manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rawls won't allow Hebert to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hebert keeping moving, preventing Rawls from controlling successfully.
Rawls trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rawls not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hebert has a closed guard, preventing Rawls from standing up.
Rawls is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two 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.
Hebert keeping moving, preventing Rawls from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee stands the fighters back up. John Rawls just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Nice sprawl there from Hebert as Rawls shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Rawls. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hebert wants to clinch.
No luck for Rawls with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rawls avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hebert looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Rawls shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Hebert pushes Rawls off and scrambles back to his feet.

Hebert moves into range and clinches up with Rawls.

Hebert escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hebert defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rawls.
Hebert tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rawls paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rawls is defended easily by Hebert.
Hebert tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rawls paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hebert tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hebert tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rawls paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hebert tries to close the distance and clinch but Rawls swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hebert scores with a head kick.
Sam Hebert seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hebert throws a head kick that half lands.
Hebert lands with a slapping head kick.
Hebert tries to clinch there but Rawls circles away.
Hebert tries to clinch but Rawls moves out of range.
Rawls fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hebert swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Hebert tries to clinch but Rawls is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Hebert showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hebert tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hebert tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rawls swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Rawls feints and as Hebert raises his hands in defense, Rawls changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rawls passes into half guard.
Rawls wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hebert keeps working.
Rawls wants to pass the guard but Hebert is defending well.
Rawls is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawls is trying to control the action in half guard but Hebert is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rawls content to control rather than advance.
Rawls has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee stands the fighters back up. John Rawls just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Hebert moves in looking to clinch but Rawls pushes him off.
Hebert doesn't manage to clinch there - Rawls circles away.
Hebert tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hebert gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hebert wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rawls keeps the fight on the outside.

Hebert instigates a clinch.
Hebert scores with a knee to the head.

Rawls's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rawls closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hebert circles away.
Hebert tries to clinch but Rawls is having none of it.
Rawls has a takedown stuffed.
Hebert tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rawls paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rawls circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hebert tries to clinch but Rawls is having none of it.

Rawls shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hebert's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rawls sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rawls trying to control the position from guard on top but Hebert is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rawls pushes down on Hebert's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hebert pushes Rawls off looking to stand but Rawls dives back in and keeps control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rawls looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Rawls trying to mount his opponent but Hebert defends it.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Rawls showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rawls has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Rawls!