PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Harris (ranked 2498 p4p, 3481 weight class) and Zane Raven (ranked 172 p4p, 228 weight class). Raven has chosen 300 Violin Orchestra - Jorge Quintero as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Harris
vs
Raven

174 cm
19
144
4 - 1 - 0

172 cm
22
145
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Benjamin Harris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zane Raven!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Illya Tyunina and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raven ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Harris slips under a jab.
Harris takes a swing at Raven's ribcage but misses.
Harris looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Raven gets a takedown into half guard.
Harris scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Raven manages to mount him!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Raven trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Raven tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Let's hope that Raven 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harris is working to get back to half guard.
Raven trying to control but Harris is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harris is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harris sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Harris slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Harris looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Raven passes into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raven happy to just control the position for now.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

Raven is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Harris has escaped the position, nice work there.
Harris is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Raven wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harris keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris is letting Raven control him for a moment.
Harris is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Raven has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Raven is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Harris has escaped the position, nice work there.
Raven in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Harris tries to buck Raven off but Raven is having none of it.
Raven works to advance to full mount. Harris defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Raven looking to control but Harris is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Raven unloading with bombs!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harris is wriggling around trying to escape.

Harris defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Raven.
Raven prevents Harris from getting the reversal.
Harris manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Harris is not content to let Raven control the position.

Harris looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harris tries to roll over but Raven keeps him under control.

Raven is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Harris sees it coming and defends easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zane Raven dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Harris darts in and clinches Raven up against the cage.
Harris throws a punch but it's blocked by Raven.
Harris misses with the head strike.
Harris can't find room to land a body shot as Raven controls the action.
Harris scores with a shoulder strike.

Raven pulls guard effortlessly.
Raven 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.
Raven is trying to keep Harris in close.
Harris wants to get up but he can't break Raven's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raven controlling the position.

Raven has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Harris can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Harris stopping the sweep attempt from Raven.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raven controls Harris momentarily but Harris frees himself.
Harris sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Raven's guard.
Raven trying to control here.
Zane Raven has got the better of the ground game so far.

Raven actively working from the bottom here.

Harris is looking for a kimura here.
Raven is staying active underneath Harris, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Raven controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Raven manages to get to full guard.
Harris sitting in guard here, content to control.

Raven is looking for a triangle but Harris pushes his legs off easily.

Raven is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Harris defends well.
Harris tries to free his leg and advance position but Raven is retaining full guard.
Harris trying to control but Raven is working from the bottom.

Harris got a little sloppy there for a moment and Raven has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Harris has managed to get both his arms back between Raven's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Harris avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Harris tries to free his leg and advance position but Raven is retaining full guard.
Raven has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Harris drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Raven manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Harris has Raven in his guard.

Harris working for a triangle but Raven defends it easily.
Raven stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Harris swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raven pushes down on Harris's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Harris is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Raven pulls his head out easily.
Raven works his foot free and advances to mount.
Harris keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Raven manages to capitalize on a mistake by Harris to take his back!

Raven has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Harris is defending well but eventually Raven manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Harris has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Zane Raven!
A relieved looking Zane Raven thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.