PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Bolleke (ranked 1390 p4p, 1673 weight class) and Iwon Raczynski (ranked 210 p4p, 246 weight class). Thomas Bolleke has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bolleke
vs
Raczynski

195 cm
39
205
33 - 21 - 2

191 cm
25
220
9 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Urban Fighter

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 33 - 21 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Bolleke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Iwon Raczynski!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raczynski fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Jab from Raczynski.
Raczynski scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bolleke with a poor takedown
and Raczynski connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bolleke throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sloppy strikes from Bolleke. Those never looked like landing.
Bolleke throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Raczynski stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bolleke misses with a takedown attempt - Raczynski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Raczynski works the jab nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters circling - Raczynski throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bolleke throwing a counter right hand but Raczynski manages to avoid it.
Raczynski dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Raczynski just misses with a punch to the body.
Bolleke misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Bolleke. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolleke misses with an uppercut.
Raczynski avoids the body shot from Bolleke.
Raczynski looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Raczynski throws a wild body kick that Bolleke sees coming a mile off.
Raczynski keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bolleke.
Raczynski looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Raczynski lands a big head kick that sends Bolleke tumbling to the mat! Raczynski takes a step backwards and waves Bolleke back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Bolleke is rocked!
A nice leg kick from Raczynski, right into the meat of the thigh.
Oh Bolleke is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Bolleke is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Raczynski's half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raczynski is looking for a sweep. Bolleke is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bolleke trying to control the action but Raczynski is working from the bottom.
Bolleke seems to have got his legs back now.

Raczynski is defending against the submission attempts here by Bolleke.
Bolleke throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raczynski wants to control but Bolleke is keeping busy.
Bolleke thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Raczynski's head.
Raczynski is concentrating on defense, preventing Bolleke from advancing position.
Bolleke thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Bolleke seems to be looking for submissions.
Bolleke looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Bolleke has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Bolleke wants to control but Raczynski is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bolleke looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Bolleke thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Raczynski's head.
Bolleke winds up and cracks Raczynski with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bolleke winds up and cracks Raczynski with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bolleke trying to control the action but Raczynski is working from the bottom.
Raczynski is trying to get back to full guard.
Bolleke tries to pass to full mount but Raczynski defends it.
Raczynski is concentrating on defense, preventing Bolleke from advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raczynski is trying to control but can't.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bolleke takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Raczynski throws a leg kick

and Bolleke counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Bolleke seems to be working for a kimura but Raczynski defends the submission attempt.
Bolleke lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bolleke not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bolleke trying to control from half guard but Raczynski is working away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Iwon Raczynski will probably get the nod.
That's time! Bolleke's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice straight punches there by Bolleke. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bolleke.
Raczynski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Raczynski! But no joy.
Bolleke displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Raczynski throws out the jab.
A solid body kick from Raczynski.
Bolleke connects with a nice looking jab.
Bolleke seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Bolleke throws a poor cross that misses
and Raczynski counters with a low kick, right behind Bolleke 's knee.
Bolleke loads up on a big right hand but Raczynski slips the punch.
Raczynski lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Raczynski steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bolleke.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A decent looking cross lands there for Raczynski.
Bolleke throws a predictable looking body shot
and Raczynski counters with an outside leg kick.
Good shot there by Raczynski.
Raczynski looks to score with a jab to the body but Bolleke is just out of range.
Bolleke throws a body punch but Raczynski moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolleke throws a hook but Raczynski blocks it.
Raczynski takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A telegraphed right hand from Bolleke misses the target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Raczynski! But no joy.
Raczynski punishes Bolleke's body with a nice straight punch.
Bolleke closes the distance and clinches up with Raczynski, looking for a takedown. Bolleke pushes Raczynski against the cage but Raczynski circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Bolleke shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Raczynski is trying to defend but Bolleke finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Raczynski wants to control but Bolleke is keeping busy.
Bolleke trying to mount his opponent but Raczynski defends it.
Raczynski makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Raczynski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raczynski throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Bolleke trying to control but Raczynski is working from the bottom.
Raczynski is trying to keep Bolleke in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bolleke trying to control but Raczynski is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bolleke landing some decent shots from guard.
Bolleke wants to control from the top but Raczynski keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bolleke being controlled here momentarily.
Bolleke postures up in Raczynski's guard and throws a big left but Raczynski blocks it.
Raczynski keeping moving, preventing Bolleke from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bolleke tries to score a power double leg takedown but Raczynski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bolleke somewhat.
Bolleke darts in looking for a takedown but Raczynski gets double underhooks and turns Bolleke into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Bolleke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bolleke is trying to pull guard but Raczynski turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Raczynski lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raczynski lands a hook that snaps the head of Bolleke backwards.
Bolleke jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Raczynski walks away with a smile on his face. Bolleke gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Raczynski throws out a leg kick but Bolleke moves out of range and Raczynski only half commits.
It looked like Bolleke wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Raczynski looks to land a left hand but Bolleke moved out of range nicely.
Raczynski throws a nice inside leg kick.
Raczynski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bolleke stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bolleke throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Raczynski sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A slow jab from Bolleke misses its intended target.
It seemed like Raczynski was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Raczynski moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bolleke tries for a takedown but Raczynski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Raczynski stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Raczynski wants it to stay on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bolleke takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Donk. Raczynski catches Bolleke right on the button with a cross.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Iwon Raczynski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Good exchange - Raczynski coming out on top.
Bolleke throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Raczynski has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Bolleke throws a predictable looking body shot
and Raczynski counters with a right, left combo that wobbles Bolleke badly! Raczynski follows up with a massive right hook, straight to the bridge of the nose that knocks Bolleke out cold! Oh wow, what a finish! Very reminiscent of Koscheck vs Yoshida as Raczynski finished him against the cage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:15 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Iwon Raczynski!
Iwon Raczynski decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.