PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dave Gers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Grzegorz Rakieta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Gers might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Iron Maiden - The Trooper. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gers
vs
Rakieta

184 cm
22
211 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

193 cm
20
204 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Dave Gers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Grzegorz Rakieta!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Colin Fotheringham and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gers dodges the punch combination from Rakieta.

Gers gets the takedown into side control.

Gers working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gers lands a decent elbow from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gers tries to advance to mount but can't.
Gers trying to control the position but Rakieta is working away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rakieta can do anything to dispel that myth.

Gers tries for a kimura but Rakieta is defending well.

Rakieta throws Gers to one side and escapes!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gers is defended easily by Rakieta.
Rakieta throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Gers counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rakieta won't be happy with that.
Gers wants to control but Rakieta is keeping him busy.

Gers tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gers has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gers postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Gers tries for a kimura but Rakieta is defending well.
Gers wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rakieta keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gers tries to advance position but instead Rakieta slips a leg back in to half guard.
Gers trying to control from half guard but Rakieta is working away.
Gers passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Rakieta!

Gers jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Rakieta is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Rakieta and Gers has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakieta stops Gers from passing to mount.

Gers swings around for an armbar but Rakieta sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gers's guard.

Gers looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rakieta has picked Gers up and slammed him! Gers can't keep hold of the triangle and Rakieta manages to pass to side control!
Gers is trying to work for a sweep but Rakieta has mounted him!
Gers is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gers wants to control but Rakieta is having none of it.

Rakieta stands up from mount. Strange move.
Dave Gers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rakieta throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gers shoots in looking for a takedown. Rakieta tries to sprawl out of it but Gers keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rakieta manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rakieta will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rakieta jabs at Gers's body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rakieta scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A left lands for Rakieta.
Rakieta misses with a jab, cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dave Gers will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rakieta connects with a single shot there.
Gers throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rakieta scores with a decent looking hook.
Rakieta throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gers counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A punch lands to the side of Gers 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gers misses with a combination
and Rakieta counters with a thumping low kick.
Gers closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rakieta circles away.
Dave Gers is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A jab from Rakieta finds it's way through Gers's defenses.
Rakieta connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Gers shoots in for a double leg but Rakieta sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rakieta scores with a decent looking hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rakieta throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rakieta misses with a double jab.
Rakieta swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rakieta cracks Gers with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Gers misses the jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rakieta throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rakieta misses with a few strikes there.
Rakieta misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Gers. Beautiful body shot.
A nice combination there by Rakieta.
Gers walks into a stiff left hand from Rakieta.
A left and a right from Rakieta both land. Nice combination.
Gers misses with a takedown
and Rakieta counters with a left and a right that stings Gers.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dave Gers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gers throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rakieta counters with a three punch combo that has Gers backing up. Gers nods at Rakieta to acknowledge the strikes.
Gers fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rakieta throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gers.
Rakieta misses with a double jab

and Gers counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Rakieta's guard now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rakieta keeping full guard, as Gers tries to pass.
Rakieta wants to stand up but Gers is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gers wants to pass the guard but Rakieta is keeping the position.
Gers trying to control the position from guard on top but Rakieta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gers prevents Rakieta from getting back to his feet.
Rakieta keeping moving, preventing Gers from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Dave Gers just wasn't active enough.
Rakieta throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rakieta lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gers circles away quickly and effectively.
Gers is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rakieta sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rakieta tests Gers's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A lazy left from Rakieta finds it's target.
Rakieta tests Gers's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gers misses with an uppercut
and Rakieta connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gers closes the distance and clinches up with Rakieta, looking for a takedown. Gers pushes Rakieta against the cage but Rakieta circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rakieta might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Rakieta scores with a one two! Gers had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rakieta leaves Gers with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rakieta misses with a wild combination.
Rakieta throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rakieta connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rakieta misses with a combination

so Gers counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gers stops Rakieta from standing up.
Gers is looking to advance position but Rakieta has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Gers is trying desperately to improve position.
Rakieta content just to control the position here.
Gers sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grzegorz Rakieta showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rakieta misses with a wild combination.
Gers looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rakieta is fending him off so far but Gers persists. Nope, Rakieta circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice body kick from Rakieta.
Rakieta throws a series of strikes that have Gers backpedaling.
Rakieta swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gers counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Grzegorz Rakieta seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rakieta tries to bum rush Gers with a series of wild strikes but Gers uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A left lands for Rakieta.
Rakieta lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gers circles away quickly and effectively.
Gers misses with a takedown
and Rakieta counters with a nice uppercut.
A punch combination from Rakieta misses.
Gers throws a lazy uppercut
and Rakieta counters with a stiff right hand.
Rakieta has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Rakieta swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gers looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gers looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rakieta catches Gers with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rakieta explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Rakieta misses with a series of wild punches.
Rakieta lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gers's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakieta looks to land a combination. Gers sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Grzegorz Rakieta is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rakieta throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gers shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dave Gers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rakieta lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A combination from Rakieta does no damage.
Rakieta misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rakieta misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gers misses with the combination.
Gers throws an off balance right hand
and Rakieta counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gers takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A nice combination there by Rakieta.
Rakieta misses with a double jab.
Gers shoots for a double leg takedown but Rakieta sprawls well. He's pushed Gers's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rakieta scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Rakieta lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gers backs up against the cage.
Rakieta throws a right and a left that Gers avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rakieta, as that shot connected.
Rakieta will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gers gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rakieta counters with a straight right hand.
Rakieta lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Rakieta looks to land a combination but Gers avoids it well.
Rakieta is working the combinations to good effect here.
Gers fails with the takedown.
A cross from Rakieta lands.
Rakieta lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rakieta.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rakieta scores with a jab. Gers acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rakieta misses with a double jab.
Gers misses with a takedown attempt
and Rakieta counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rakieta lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rakieta.
Rakieta works over Gers's head and body with a nice combination.
Gers tries for a takedown but Rakieta circles away easily
and Rakieta counters with a three punch combo that has Gers backing up. Gers nods at Rakieta to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakieta goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gers misses with a takedown attempt
and Rakieta counters with a nice uppercut.
Rakieta looks to land a combination but Gers avoids it well.
Rakieta lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rakieta misses with a double jab

and Gers counters with a single leg into guard. Rakieta didn't expect that.
Gers looking to pass the guard.
Gers is working hard here to advance position.

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

Rakieta has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rakieta!
Rakieta throws a combination that misses

and Gers counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rakieta!
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!

Gers goes for an armbar but Rakieta turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Rakieta.

Rakieta gets to his feet - Gers follows without any prompting.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gers showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rakieta.

Gers drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gers pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rakieta is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Grzegorz Rakieta comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rakieta has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Grzegorz Rakieta!