PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pietro Rava (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rava kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Blue October - Drilled a Wire through my cheek. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rava
vs
Saunders

185 cm
24
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

191 cm
23
174 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Broken Halo Pride Nutrition

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pietro Rava!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Saunders!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Albert Achterberg and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saunders changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rava looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

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

Saunders working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Saunders prevents Rava from escaping the position.

Saunders is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rava is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rava is looking for a sweep.
Rava pushes Saunders away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Saunders gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saunders working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Saunders wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rava, who protects the arm well.
Saunders looks gassed!
Rava is trying to control Saunders's posture but Saunders avoids it.

That's two 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.
Rava is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rava wants to control but Saunders postures up.

Saunders goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Rava has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Saunders but great work by Rava.
Rava grinds an elbow into Saunders's temple.
Rava wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saunders keeps working.

Rava is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Saunders is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Saunders is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rava's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders is not content to let Rava control the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rava lands a nice short elbow.
Rava wants to take a breather but Saunders is having none of it.

Saunders looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Saunders has hold of Rava's hands but Rava slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rava seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rava seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Saunders does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rava prevents Saunders from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rava tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Saunders.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Rava looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Rava postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rava stopping the sweep attempt from Saunders.
Rava has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rava trying to control the position from guard on top but Saunders is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rava forces his way into half guard.
Rava prevents Saunders from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ben Saunders will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rava tries for a takedown but Saunders circles away easily

and Saunders counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Saunders is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Rava has his hands on Saunders's head, controlling the position.
Rava bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Saunders's guard.
Saunders utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Saunders is looking for a triangle but Rava pushes his legs off easily.
Rava trying to control the position from guard on top but Saunders is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rava stopping the sweep attempt from Saunders.
Saunders is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Saunders is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rava trying to control the position from guard on top but Saunders is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rava throws a big right hand that misses.
Saunders keeping moving, preventing Rava from controlling successfully.
Rava stands up over Saunders, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Saunders tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No joy there for Rava, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saunders circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rava fails to land with a series of punches.

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.
Saunders gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Rava counters with a takedown into side control.
Rava working the ground and pound from side control.

Rava stands up.
Rava with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rava. That's going to slow Saunders down.
Rava feints and then cracks Saunders's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Saunders down.
Rava lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rava misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rava lands with a slapping head kick.
Saunders takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Rava turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Pietro Rava is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rava tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rava lands an overhand right.
Rava rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saunders moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rava fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Saunders looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rava throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rava throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Saunders's head.
Rava throws a combination. Saunders tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rava lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rava.
Rava fails with the takedown

and Saunders counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Saunders.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saunders postures up.
Saunders won't allow Rava to get back to his feet.

Saunders drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rava looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rava looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rava!
Rava works to advance to full mount. Saunders defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pietro Rava dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Saunders misses with a takedown attempt

so Rava counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Rava trying to control the position from guard on top but Saunders is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saunders looking for a sweep. Not yet Saunders, not yet.
Saunders bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rava's guard.
Rava wants to stand up but Saunders is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rava lands some shots froms side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saunders takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Saunders is looking for a sweep.

Rava tries for a kimura but Saunders is defending well.
Saunders stops Rava from passing to mount.
Rava landing a few strikes.
Rava lands an elbow.
Saunders tries to buck Rava off but Rava is having none of it.
Rava landing strikes.

Rava tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Saunders is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rava wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saunders keeps working.
Saunders is trying to improve his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Rava shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rava showed some decent athleticism there.
Saunders is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rava working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rava working over Saunders with some ground and pound. Saunders looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rava wants to take a breather but Saunders is having none of it.
Saunders tries to roll over but Rava keeps him under control.
Rava knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Saunders on the ground.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Rava gets a takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rava is trying to control. Saunders wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rava is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Rava prevents Saunders from improving his position.

Rava stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Rava misses with a double jab.
Rava tries to clinch up but Saunders circles away and keeps his distance.
Saunders chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rava can pounce on him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pietro Rava showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rava has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pietro Rava!