PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shane Raffington (ranked 1092 p4p, 1215 weight class) and Tyler Cage (ranked 147 p4p, 162 weight class). Raffington kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Logan Lucky. 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.

Raffington
vs
Cage

182 cm
24
195
6 - 4 - 1

185 cm
35
185
22 - 18 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Altitude Clothing

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 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shane Raffington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tyler Cage!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cage moves into the clinch successfully.
Raffington lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cage or not.
Cage is trying to break free.
Raffington lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Raffington keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cage's efforts to push away.
Raffington scores with a shot to the side of Cage's head.
Cage wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Raffington has him pressed against the cage.
Raffington tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cage's elbow.
Cage is trying to push Raffington away but Raffington has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Raffington has a couple of punches blocked by Cage.
Raffington misses with a punch to the body.

Cage pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cage has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Raffington is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Cage throws a lazy head kick
and Raffington counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Cage thinking.
Cage throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cage walks into a jab.
Cage rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Raffington counters with a leg kick.
Raffington lands a glancing blow to the side of Cage's head.
Raffington thows a left - swing and a miss!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cage darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Cage takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cage throws a leg kick
and Raffington makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
We've been told by Raffington's head coaches at Chakuriki LA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Raffington displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cage throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage avoids a kick to the body.
Raffington uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cage.
Cage misses with a straight left.
Raffington lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Cage avoids the head kick by Raffington.
Raffington slips under a jab.
Raffington takes one to the side of the head.
Raffington slips a jab and a cross from Cage.
Cage throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cage avoids the body shot from Raffington.
Cage throws a right hand that Raffington ducks under and follows up with a left that Raffington also avoids with ease.
Raffington stuns Cage with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Raffington keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Raffington misses the target.
Raffington getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Cage gets a clinch.
Raffington lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cage or not.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raffington scores with a shoulder strike.
Raffington lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cage backwards.
Raffington presses Cage against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Cage looks winded!
Raffington scores with a shoulder strike.
Raffington struggles to land a body shot inside as Cage controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Raffington.
Raffington works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Raffington throws a head punch that misses.
Raffington misses with a punch to the body.
Cage wants to break the clinch but can't.
Raffington misses with the head strike.
Raffington doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Cage pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Raffington circles away from the clinch attempt
and Raffington counters with a nice uppercut.
Raffington throws a shot from downtown. Cage moves away and avoids it.
Cage cracks Raffington with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Raffington throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cage bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cage throws a hook to the side of Raffington's head but Raffington sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A swing and a miss from Cage.
Raffington tests Cage's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cage bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Raffington moves out of range of the body kick.
It looked like Raffington wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cage, as that shot connected.
Raffington throws a hook but Cage avoids it easily.
Raffington throws the left hand but Cage avoids the punch easily.
Raffington delivers a nice body kick.
Cage avoids the head kick by Raffington.
Cage tries to land a front kick but Raffington steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cage waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Raffington.
Cage takes a swing at Raffington's ribcage but misses.
Cage takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Raffington shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Cage eats them both and turns towards Raffington to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Decent striking displayed by Cage there.
Raffington misses with a hook
and Cage counters with a left and a right that stings Raffington.
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!
Cage throws a series of punches but Raffington moves out of range.
Raffington gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Cage misses with a hook.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Raffington, as that shot connected.
A cross from Cage lands.
Cage blocks a low kick nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raffington looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cage takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Cage moves into the clinch successfully.
Cage blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A hook to the body from Raffington.

Cage breaks from the clinch.
Cage throws a series of punches but Raffington avoids them all with ease.
It looked like Raffington wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A slow jab from Cage misses its intended target.
Raffington fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cage is out of range.
Cage thows a left - swing and a miss!
A slow jab from Cage misses its intended target.
Cage throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Cage lands a nice shot that snaps Raffington's head back.
Cage rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Raffington counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cage defending well as Raffington loads up on a big left hand.
Cage jabbing away but nothing is landing.
An attempted straight right counter from Raffington misses the target.
Cage takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cage takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cage throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Raffington dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cage misses with an uppercut. Raffington saw that one coming.
Cage moves out of range of the strikes.
Cage takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Cage throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Raffington to counter with a crisp jab.
Cage throws a series of punches but Raffington avoids them all with ease.
Nice cross by Cage.
Cage swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cage just misses with a punch to the body.
Raffington misses the shot to the body.
Cage throws a jab but it's blocked by Raffington.
Good work by Cage as he checks the leg kick.
Raffington lands with a cross.
Raffington scores with a jab. Cage acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cage swings for the body but Raffington moves out of range.
Cage swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cage fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Raffington looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Raffington is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cage can do to turn this around?
Raffington connects with a right hand. Cage shakes it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cage ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raffington moves away.
Raffington tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Raffington attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Shane Raffington is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick from Raffington, right into the meat of the thigh.
Raffington slips under a jab from Cage.
Cage throws a body shot but no joy.
Cage blocks the body kick.
Cage throws a low kick but Raffington moves out of range easily.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
A head kick misses from Raffington.
Raffington connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cage lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Raffington misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cage.
Raffington tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cage doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A nice leg kick from Raffington, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cage throws a jab when Raffington was well out of range.
Cage scores with a head kick. Raffington tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Cage scores with a one two! Raffington had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Raffington misses with an uppercut.
Raffington wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raffington connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cage cracks Raffington with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Raffington buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Cage staying out of range there.
Cage only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Cage is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Raffington.
Cage showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Raffington.
A little jabbing left from Cage on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Raffington throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cage throws out a counter right but Raffington avoids it with no problem.
Cage throws a nice inside leg kick.
Raffington looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Raffington slips a jab from Cage.
Raffington feints and then cracks Cage's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cage down.
Cage looks to throw the jab but Raffington is out of range.
Raffington fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Raffington lands a slapping body shot.
Raffington cracks Cage with a right hand to the side of the head.
Raffington uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cage.
Raffington was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raffington was well out of range. Poor timing from Cage.
Raffington throws a chopping leg kick but Cage manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Cage scores with a kick to the midsection.
Cage misses with a few strikes there.
Tyler Cage seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raffington moves in looking to clinch but Cage pushes him off.
Cage throws a right hand that Raffington ducks under and follows up with a left that Raffington also avoids with ease.
A little feinted left hand from Raffington on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Cage fails to land with a series of punches.
Raffington throws a body shot but no joy.
Raffington lands a leg kick that knocks Cage off balance momentarily.
Cage uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Raffington.
Raffington fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cage has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Raffington lands with a hook. Cage tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Raffington throws a big shot that misses.
Cage takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Raffington swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Raffington.
Cage waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Raffington.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raffington with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raffington ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It looked like Raffington was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Cage.
Raffington listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Raffington throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cage throws a one two combo.
Raffington is looking to clinch.
Cage blocks a jab.
Cage misses with a series of wild punches.
Raffington scores with a nice strike.
Raffington throws a good cross that connects.
Cage stuns Raffington with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Cage lands with a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Raffington fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cage manages to avoid it.
Cage blocks a jab.
Raffington throws the kick towards the body but Cage avoids it.
Cage ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cage looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Shane Raffington will probably get the nod.
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!

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Raffington, as that shot connected.
A nice leg kick lands there from Raffington.
Raffington fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cage manages to avoid it.
It seemed like Cage was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Raffington throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Raffington darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Cage has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Cage throws the left hand but Raffington avoids the punch easily.
Cage takes one to the side of the head.
Cage looks to throw the jab but Raffington is out of range.
Raffington lands with a good body shot.
Raffington feints and then cracks Cage's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cage down.
Nice straight punches there by Cage. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cage.
Raffington tests Cage's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Raffington connects with a nice looking jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raffington misses with a few strikes there.
Raffington throws a good cross that connects.
Cage lands with an uppercut that bounces Raffington off the cage and back into range.
Cage getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Raffington misses with a low kick as Cage jumps back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Raffington throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Raffington throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Raffington throws a nice outside leg kick.
Raffington keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cage.
Raffington ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cage throws a nice looking combination but Raffington bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cage's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Raffington blocks a jab.
A swing and a miss from Cage.
Cage throws a jab when Raffington was well out of range.
Raffington looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Cage listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Raffington lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A head kick from Cage lands but Raffington takes it in his stride.
Cage keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Raffington.
Raffington throws a lazy right hand but Cage sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cage misses with a straight right.
Raffington is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Cage throws a jab but it's blocked by Raffington.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Raffington throws a lazy right hand but Cage sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Raffington staying out of range there.
Raffington is looking to counter punch.
Raffington punishes Cage's body with a nice straight punch.
Cage looks to land a left hand but Raffington moved out of range nicely.
Cage misses with a few strikes there.
Cage misses with a left hand
and Raffington counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice defenses there by Raffington.
It appears Raffington was looking to counter with a kick there.
Raffington looks to land a combination but Cage avoids it well.
Cage looks to score with a jab to the body but Raffington is just out of range.
Cage throws a right hand that misses
and Raffington counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Raffington takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The fighters circling - Cage throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Raffington turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Raffington throws the kick towards the body but Cage avoids it.
Cage ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raffington moves away.
A combination from Cage does no damage.
Raffington misses with a leg kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cage! But no joy.
Cage ducks under a wild hook from Raffington.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raffington pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cage looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Raffington looks to land a body kick but Cage moved away.
Despite the aggression on Cage's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Cage looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Raffington tries to work over Cage's front leg with a kick but Cage checks it.
Raffington slips a jab from Cage.
A quick step to the side and Raffington tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raffington connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cage misses with a hook. Raffington ducked under it nicely.
It looked like Raffington wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cage swinging wildly here.

Raffington gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cage is trying to break free.

Cage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Raffington lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Cage has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Cage and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Raffington misses with a looping right.
Cage misses with an uppercut.
Raffington lands a body shot.
Nice body kick there by Cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raffington cracks Cage with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Raffington showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raffington throws a looping overhand right but Cage ducks down to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Cage on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Raffington keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Raffington loads up on a big right hand but Cage slips the punch.
Cage takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Raffington wants to land a leg kick but Cage is out of range.
Raffington throws a solid leg kick but Cage takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Raffington.
Tyler Cage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raffington connects with an inside leg kick.
Cage throws a looping overhand right but Raffington ducks down to avoid it.
Raffington throws a leg kick that misses.
Cage avoids a kick to the body.
Raffington connects with a body shot that sends Cage's belly button to the back.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No joy there for Cage, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Raffington appears to be looking for a big counter.
Cage on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Raffington. Raffington obviously looking to wear him down.
Cage fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Raffington manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane Raffington showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Raffington 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane Raffington!
A relieved looking Shane Raffington thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.