PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dean Kicker (ranked 5698 p4p, 24716 weight class) and Ronan Raw (ranked 162 p4p, 202 weight class). 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.

Kicker
vs
Raw

225 cm
18
285
0 - 1 - 0

210 cm
19
300
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dean Kicker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ronan Raw!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Hugh Johnson and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Raw has Kicker up against the cage in a clinch.
Kicker looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Raw unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kicker lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Raw throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kickers head.
Kicker letting Raw take a breather here.
Kicker definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Raw successfully pulls guard.
Raw looking to control.
Kicker being controlled here momentarily.
Raw keeping full guard, as Kicker tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raw working a defensive guard here.

Raw is looking for a triangle but Kicker pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raw wants to get back to his feet but Kicker is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kicker trying to control but Raw is working from the bottom.
Raw working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kicker.
Kicker won't allow Raw to sweep him here.

Raw working for a triangle but Kicker defends it easily.
Raw wants to stand and escape but Kicker is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Raw wriggles free and stands up.

Raw closes the distance and clinches.

Raw decides to pull guard.
Raw has control of Kicker's left arm, preventing Kicker from doing any damage.
Raw tries to strike from the bottom.
Kicker preventing the sweep.

Raw is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kicker defends well.
Raw looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kicker postures up in Raw's guard and throws a big left but Raw blocks it.

Raw has his foot on Kicker's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kicker works his way back into a safe position though.
Kicker stays in close to Raw's body and controls the position.
Raw keeping moving, preventing Kicker from controlling successfully.
Kicker controls from within his opponent's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Raw has his foot on Kicker's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kicker works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Raw keeping full guard, as Kicker tries to pass.
Kicker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Raw works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Raw throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

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

Raw closes the distance and clinches.
Raw presses Kicker against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Raw wants a takedown but no success here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Raw jumps into guard, dragging Kicker to the mat.
Raw 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.
Kicker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ronan Raw dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Raw shoots in and drives through. Kicker sprawls well.
Raw dives in for a single leg takedown but Kicker sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Raw fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kicker avoids it really well and circles away.
Dean Kicker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronan Raw.
Kicker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Raw's waist but Raw gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kicker off to one side.

Raw clinches up against the cage.
Raw trying to control the position but instead, Kicker has worked for underhooks and has pushed Raw into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raw is pressed up against the cage. Kicker has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Raw down to the mat. Raw avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Raw takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raw pulls guard.
Raw looking for a sweep. Not yet Raw, not yet.
Kicker tries to free his leg and advance position but Raw is retaining full guard.
Raw wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Raw 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.
Raw is trying to control the position but Kicker postures up.
Kicker is fighting to break Raw's control of his arms but Raw is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Raw lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kicker wants to control the position but Raw says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Raw has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Kicker looking for submissions off his back.
Raw tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kicker knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Raw is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kicker defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raw slips a nice elbow through Kicker's hands, connecting with Kicker's forehead.
Raw seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kicker does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ronan Raw has got the better of the ground game so far.
Raw with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Raw is working for a kimura but Kicker is defending it quite comfortably.
Raw lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Raw scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kicker has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Raw is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Raw tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kicker knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Raw seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kicker is looking to control Raw's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kicker avoid being mounted?
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kicker wants to get back to full guard.
Raw content to control rather than advance.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ronan Raw showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Raw decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Raw content to control rather than advance.
Raw wants to pass to mount but Kicker is defending the position.
Kicker is looking to control Raw's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kicker avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raw seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Raw decides to return to a standing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kicker tries to sprawl but Raw drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kicker tries to kick Raw off in order to stand up. Raw Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Raw working the ground and pound.
Kicker is looking for a sweep.
Raw takes a little break here. Kicker wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Raw looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kicker is being controlled here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kicker struggling a bit here.

Raw goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kicker has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Raw but great work by Kicker.
Kicker working away.
Raw is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Kicker is staying active.
Kicker trying to control the position but Raw is working away.

Kicker goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Raw has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kicker but great work by Raw.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kicker is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raw lands an elbow.
Raw happy to just control the position for now.
Raw wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kicker keeps working.
Kicker is looking to regain half guard here but Raw keeps moving and retains side control.
Raw controlling the position from side mount.

Raw stands up and beckons Kicker to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Raw drives through and clinches with Kicker against the cage.
Kicker blocks a body shot from Raw.

Raw manages to break the clinch.

Raw changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kicker looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kicker tries to buck Raw off but Raw is having none of it.
Kicker is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kicker is not content to let Raw control the position.
Dean Kicker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ronan Raw is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ronan Raw comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Raw winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ronan Raw!
The defeated Dean Kicker had this to say: 'I am dissappointed, but will come back stronger'.