PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Camden Raynard (ranked 4711 p4p, 4976 weight class) and Arnold Hope (ranked 0 p4p, 625 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Raynard
vs
Hope

190 cm
24
190
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
190
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Camden Raynard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arnold Hope!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, John Roberts and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good standup being displayed there by Raynard as he connects with a hook.
Hope throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Raynard's waist but Raynard gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hope off to one side.
Raynard misses with a double jab

and Hope counters with a single leg into guard. Raynard didn't expect that.
Hope is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Raynard on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Raynard tries to get out of the position.
Hope prevents Raynard from getting back to his feet.
Hope trying to control the position from guard on top but Raynard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hope controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hope trying to control the position from guard on top but Raynard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hope controlling from the top position.
Raynard is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hope controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hope shoots in for a double leg but Raynard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Raynard throws a right hand that Hope ducks under and follows up with a left that Hope also avoids with ease.
Hope closes the distance and clinches up with Raynard, looking for a takedown. Hope pushes Raynard against the cage but Raynard circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Camden Raynard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arnold Hope.
Raynard doesn't manage to clinch there - Hope circles away.
Raynard throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Raynard displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hope.
Raynard lands a nice shot to the body.
Raynard misses with a leg kick

and Hope counters with a shoot takedown. Raynard fights it but they end up in guard.
Hope is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raynard wants to stand but Hope is controlling the position.
Hope wants to control from the top but Raynard keeps moving.
Hope is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Raynard is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hope is controlling him.
Hope trying to control but Raynard is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hope controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Camden Raynard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hope uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Raynard.
Raynard tries to bum rush Hope with a series of wild strikes but Hope uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hope tries to counter with a clinch but Raynard shakes him off and moves away.
Raynard keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Raynard looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Raynard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hope's sensitive parts.
Hope is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hope fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sloppy strikes from Raynard. Those never looked like landing.
Raynard lands a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hope shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Raynard sprawls well. Raynard wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hope gets slowly back to his feet.
Raynard throws a sloppy head kick and Hope moves out of range easily.
Hope tries to counter by closing the distance.
Hope throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
An attempted straight right counter from Raynard misses the target.
Raynard lands a two punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hope fails with a takedown attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Raynard!

Raynard gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Raynard can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hope controls the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Camden Raynard dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Danga de danga de dang - Raynard scores with a four punch combination!
Raynard connects with a solid leg kick.
Hope shoots for a takedown but Raynard saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Raynard attempts a counter takedown but Hope avoids it well and moves away.
Raynard tries to bum rush Hope with a series of wild strikes but Hope uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Raynard scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Raynard swinging wildly here.

Hope dives in and scores a takedown into Raynard's guard.
Hope engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hope trying to control but Raynard is working from the bottom.
Hope controlling from the top position.
Hope trying to control but Raynard is working from the bottom.
Raynard is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hope controlling from the top position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Raynard has his feet on Hope's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raynard tries to bum rush Hope with a series of wild strikes but Hope uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hope will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hope fails with the takedown
letting Raynard counter with a right hand.
Camden Raynard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arnold Hope.
Raynard lands with a cross.
Raynard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Camden Raynard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Raynard will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hope with the counter takedown but Raynard avoids it easily.
Hope looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Raynard forces Hope back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hope can't get the takedown.
Hope has Raynard pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Raynard manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Raynard working hard to break the clinch.
Hope tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hope is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Raynard pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Raynard breaks from the clinch.
Camden Raynard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Raynard fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hope checks it well.
Raynard looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Raynard goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Hope shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Raynard sprawls well. Raynard wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hope gets slowly back to his feet.
Raynard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hope can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raynard moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Hope.
Hope shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Raynard sprawls well. Raynard wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hope gets slowly back to his feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hope or perhaps it was just good defense by Raynard, which made it look bad.
Raynard lands a nice looking body shot.
Raynard moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Camden Raynard dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hope shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Raynard pinned against the cage. Raynard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hope shoots in for a double leg but Raynard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Raynard works over Hope's head and body with a nice combination.
Raynard lands with a nice combination. Hope backs away looking to recover.
Raynard lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Raynard looks to land a combination but Hope avoids it well.
Hope shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Raynard as he jumps to the side.
Camden Raynard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arnold Hope.
Hope shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Raynard as he avoids it easily.
Raynard was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hope takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Raynard throws a quick inside leg kick.
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!
A punch combination from Raynard misses.
Hope drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Raynard defends it well.
Raynard misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hope dodges the punch combination from Raynard.
Hope is trying hard to land a takedown here. Raynard sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hope gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Raynard counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hope!
Hope is trying to get back to half guard.
Hope struggling a bit here.

Raynard decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Raynard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hope avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Raynard misses with a series of wild punches.
Raynard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hope moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Raynard throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raynard scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hope fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Raynard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Raynard dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hope. That did some damage!

Raynard closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hope tries to work over Raynard's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Hope has hold of one of Raynard's legs. Raynard is fighting the takedown attempt but Hope gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hope working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Raynard can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hope controls the pace.

Raynard wriggles free and stands up.
Hope goes for a double leg but Raynard avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Raynard continues to drive forward.
Raynard fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hope is out of range.

Raynard clinches with his opponent.
Hope tries to pull guard but Raynard holds him up against the cage and eventually Hope drops back down to his feet.
Hope jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Raynard walks away with a smile on his face. Hope gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hope avoids a punch combination nicely.
Camden Raynard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raynard connects with a leg kick.
Raynard stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Raynard wants it to stay on the feet.
Raynard tries a head kick but it misses.
Hope wants to clinch but Raynard slips to the side

and Raynard counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Raynard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hope is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hope is trying to control the position but Raynard postures up.
Raynard has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Raynard is looking to stand up but Hope won't let him.
Hope trying to keep a closed guard but Raynard is proving a slippery customer.
Arnold Hope has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hope trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Camden Raynard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Raynard 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:25
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Camden Raynard!