PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marko Rakic (ranked 1558 p4p, 880 weight class) and Don Bronson (ranked 226 p4p, 120 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Rakic might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Right Above It. Bronson is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Glass Candy. Don Bronson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rakic
vs
Bronson

184 cm
26
195
10 - 8 - 0

189 cm
27
186
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot 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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Marko Rakic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Don Bronson!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Andrew Berry and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bronson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bronson throws a body kick that misses.
Rakic fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rakic shoots in and drives through. Bronson sprawls well.
Bronson looks to score with a jab to the body but Rakic is just out of range.

Rakic closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Bronson trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bronson is controlling Rakic's trapped leg to prevent Rakic from advancing to side control.
Bronson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rakic's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rakic's back!
Rakic is trying to break free.
Bronson has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Rakic's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
I really don't envy Rakic right now.
Rakic is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Shut Up & Train! {$1000} that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Bronson keeps control of the position as Rakic tries to break free.
Bronson controlling from the back.

That's two 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.
Rakic is really stuck here.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Bronson controlling the positon.
Let's hope that Bronson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Rakic tries to escape but Bronson has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bronson not allowing Rakic to control his hands.
Bronson controlling the position well here. Rakic rolled but Bronson kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Rakic is trying to break free.
Rakic is working hard here to advance position.
Bronson really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Rakic.
Rakic avoids the strikes from Bronson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bronson has the hooks in. Rakic is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Bronson trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Rakic doesn't escape.
Rakic tries to roll but Bronson sticks to his back.
Rakic turns into Bronson and is now in his guard.
Bronson is trying to control the position but Rakic postures up.
Rakic is looking to work some ground and pound but Bronson has wrist control.
Bronson trying to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bronson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rakic's guard.

Bronson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bronson wants to control from the top but Rakic keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rakic shoots in but Bronson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bronson.
A jab from Bronson does it's job there.
Bronson misses with a hook. Rakic ducked under it nicely.
Bronson thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rakic if he has to take too many more of those.
Bronson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rakic misses with a takedown
and Bronson counters with a good low kick that Rakic was not able to check.
Bronson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bronson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rakic.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rakic shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bronson pinned against the cage. Bronson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bronson throws a big counter head kick but Rakic avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marko Rakic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bronson lands the left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bronson throws a head kick but Rakic moves out of range.
Bronson is looking to score with low kicks.
Rakic is looking for a counter combo.

Rakic throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bronson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rakic is in Bronson's guard.
Rakic throws a big right hand that misses.
Bronson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Bronson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Bronson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rakic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rakic looking to control.
Bronson controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakic is controlling Bronson's posture.
Bronson trying to control but Rakic is working from the bottom.
Rakic is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Bronson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rakic is keeping the position for now.
Bronson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakic takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rakic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bronson lands an overhand right.
Rakic misses with a double jab.
Bronson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Bronson swings for the body but Rakic moves out of range.
Rakic will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bronson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rakic manages to avoid it.
Rakic takes one to the chin there.
Bronson misses with a hook. Rakic ducked under it nicely.
Bronson stuns Rakic with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rakic takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bronson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rakic manages to avoid it.
Bronson's coach down at Chakuriki LA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Bronson's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Bronson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Bronson misses.
Don Bronson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bronson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rakic.
Bronson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Don Bronson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
An inside leg kick from Bronson misses.
Rakic chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bronson can pounce on him.
Rakic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bronson tries to avoid it but Rakic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bronson to the ground. Bronson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bronson misses with a low kick as Rakic jumps back.
Bronson throws a leg kick that misses.
Bronson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bronson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rakic ducks under a wild hook from Bronson.
Rakic misses with the combination.
Nice shot by Bronson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Don Bronson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rakic misses the shot to the body.
Bronson thuds a left hand into Rakic's body.

Rakic has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bronson pushes Rakic back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Bronson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bronson lands a glancing blow to the side of Rakic's head.
Marko Rakic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rakic takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rakic looks for a takedown but Bronson sprawls well.
Bronson punishes Rakic's body with a nice straight punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bronson throws a body punch but Rakic moves out of range.
Bronson scores with a nice strike.
Rakic slips under a jab from Bronson.
Bronson lands a head kick. Rakic smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bronson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rakic on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakic is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bronson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rakic takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Donk. Bronson catches Rakic right on the button with a cross.
Bronson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Bronson!
Bronson misses the shot to the body.
Bronson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rakic.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marko Rakic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rakic on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Rakic takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rakic misses with a two punch combination.
Bronson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rakic.
Rakic is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rakic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bronson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bronson throws a body punch but Rakic moves out of range.
Bronson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rakic walks into a left hand.
Bronson digs a good hook to Rakic's body.
Rakic walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Rakic takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rakic moves out of range as Bronson strikes.
Nice shot lands for Bronson.
Bronson thows a body kick. Rakic tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Bronson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rakic.
Bronson sizes up Rakic with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rakic is defended easily by Bronson.

Rakic scores with a takedown into Bronson's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rakic throws a big elbow that misses.
Bronson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rakic manages to get himself to full guard.

Bronson forces his way into half guard.
Marko Rakic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bronson is looking to advance position but Rakic won't allow it.
Bronson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Bronson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rakic does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bronson is thwarting Rakic's attempts to control the position.
Bronson trying to control the pace.
Bronson trying to pass the guard but Rakic defending well.
Bronson is taking a breather. Rakic says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Rakic misses with some strikes from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Don Bronson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bronson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Don Bronson!
A relieved looking Don Bronson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Marko Rakic was interviewed post fight and said 'I congratulate my opponent. You got the better of me tonight, but I will go back to my camp and destroy my next foe.'.