PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Raipe Raikas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Raikas
vs
Black

165 cm
22
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
152 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Tokyo Pharmaceuticals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Raipe Raikas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike Black!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Black takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Black scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Black tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Raikas swivels and escapes.
Raikas fails to land with a series of punches.
Raikas throws a leg kick which misses Black's front leg but catches the back leg as Black tries to avoid it.
Raikas is looking to slow Black down with leg kicks.

Black has closed the distance and engaged Raikas in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Raikas has had enough of the clinch but Black keeps him there for the moment.
Raikas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Raikas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Black tries to bum rush Raikas with a series of wild strikes but Raikas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Raikas throws a looping overhand right but Black ducks down to avoid it.
Black stalks Raikas and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Raikas's face. Raikas staggers backwards, shaken.
Raikas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Black rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Raikas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Raikas!
Black looks gassed!
Raikas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Black fails to land with a series of punches.
Raikas lands with a kick to the ribs.
Raikas throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Raikas throws a series of punches but Black moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black avoids the head kick by Raikas.
Black throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Raikas lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Raikas throws a series of punches but Black avoids them all with ease.
Raikas misses with a combination

so Black counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Black throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Raikas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Black throws a big right hand that misses.
Black throws a big right hand that misses.
Raikas being controlled here, momentarily.
Black is looking to stand up but Raikas won't let him.
Raikas wants to stand and escape but Black is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Raikas's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Black accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Black controlling from the top position.
Raikas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Black throwing strikes from guard but Raikas blocks nicely.
Black wants to control from the top but Raikas keeps moving.
Black pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Raikas is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raikas wants to stand but Black is controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Black looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Raikas is fending him off so far but Black persists. Nope, Raikas circles away and we're back to standing.
Raikas takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Raikas takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Black drives through with a takedown into guard.
Raikas wants to get back to his feet but Black is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Black tries to free his leg and advance position but Raikas is retaining full guard.
Black won't allow Raikas to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Black must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Raikas wants to stand up but Black is controlling him.

Raikas wriggles free and stands up.
Good leg kick by Raikas there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Black takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Raikas dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Black. That did some damage!
Left hook, right uppercut from Raikas.
Raikas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Black connects with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Raipe Raikas will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

A punch combination from Black misses.
Raipe Raikas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Black lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Raikas throws a nice looking combination but Black bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Raikas feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Black's calf.
Left hook, right uppercut from Black.
Raikas scores with a kick to the body.
Raikas digs a good body shot into Black's ribs.
Black displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Black misses with a double jab.
Raipe Raikas is winning the standup battle so far.
Black misses with a jab, cross combination.
Raikas pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Raikas.
A nice leg kick lands there from Raikas.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Raikas throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Raikas keeps Black at a distance using the push kick.
A good leg kick by Raikas.
Raikas fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Black looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Raikas swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Black.
Black closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black misses with a takedown attempt - Raikas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A head kick misses from Raikas.
Black fails to land with a series of punches.
Black has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Raikas.
Raikas throws a head kick that Black semi-blocks.
Raikas misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Black scores with a four punch combination!
Raikas moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Raikas throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Black fails to land the takedown.
Black takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A nice leg kick lands there from Raikas.
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!
Raikas throws a front kick that sends Black stumbling back into the cage.

Black gets a takedown into half guard.
Raikas wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black misses with a head shot. Raikas uses the momentum to regain guard.
Black lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Black trying to control but Raikas is working from the bottom.
Black might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Raikas kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Raikas kicks Black off and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raikas scores with a kick to the midsection.
Black throws a right hand that Raikas ducks under and follows up with a left that Raikas also avoids with ease.
Raikas moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Black moves into range and clinches up with Raikas.
Raikas can't break the clinch.

Raikas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Black tries to bum rush Raikas with a series of wild strikes but Raikas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A head kick from Raikas lands but Black takes it in his stride.
Black closes this distance looking for a takedown but Raikas circles away.
Raipe Raikas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Black.
Black lands with a shot to the body.
Raipe Raikas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Black lands a jab-cross combination.
Raikas lands a head kick. Black smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Black is rocked!
Raikas throws a left and a right that both miss

and Black counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Black.
Black is still in real trouble! Can Raikas finish him?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Black trying to control the position from guard on top but Raikas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Black seems to have recovered his senses.
Black is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Black trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Black stops Raikas from standing up.
Raikas keeping moving, preventing Black from controlling successfully.
Black stops Raikas from standing up.
Black pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Raikas is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Black takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Black uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Raikas.
Left hook, right uppercut from Black.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Raipe Raikas will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Black slips a jab and a cross from Raikas.
A punch combination from Raikas misses.
Raikas thows a left - swing and a miss!
Black has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Raikas.
Black throws a right and a left that both miss.
Black takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Raikas misses with a double jab
and Black counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Raikas misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Black shoots in and drives through. Raikas sprawls well.
Raikas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Horrible takedown by Black or perhaps it was just good defense by Raikas which made him look bad.
Black tries to bum rush Raikas with a series of wild strikes but Raikas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Raikas lands with a kick to the ribs.
Raikas throws a nice looking combination but Black bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Black scores with a hook.
Black displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Black takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Raikas lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black throws a series of punches but Raikas moves out of range.
A punch combination from Raikas misses.
Black shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Raikas but Raikas pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Raipe Raikas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Black.
Raikas explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Raikas throws a head kick that half lands.
Raikas misses with a few strikes there.
Black shoots in but Raikas avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Raikas misses with a lunging right hand
and Black counters with a left and a right that stings Raikas.
Raikas falls off balance throwing a combination
and Black counters with a stiff right hand.
Raikas scoring well with a low kick there.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Black crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Raikas - the referee stops the clock and Black gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Raikas. Black manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Black throws a series of punches but Raikas moves out of range.
No joy there for Black, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Black avoids the head kick by Raikas.
A head kick misses from Raikas.

Black bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black is putting a hurting on Raikas here, landing some big shots from side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raikas regains half guard, as Black was trying to land strikes.

Raikas pushes Black off and gets back to his feet.
Raikas pushes Black away with a front kick.
Raikas connects with a solid leg kick.
Raikas cracks the inside of Black's front leg.
Black swinging wilding here.
Raikas misses with a double jab.
Black takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Raikas throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Black.
Black is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Raikas.
Raikas throws a head kick but Black moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Raikas.
Black throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Raikas.
Black lands a nice hook to Raikas's body. Raikas takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Black lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Black misses with a double jab
and Raikas counters with a thumping low kick.
Raikas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Black fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Raikas throws a left and a right that both miss
and Black counters with a one-two to the body.
Raikas scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Raikas throws a nice looking combination but Black bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Black dodges the punch combination from Raikas.
No joy there for Black, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Good leg kick by Raikas there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Raikas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Black.
Mike Black has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raikas connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Raikas scores with a nice strike.
Black's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black throws a left and a right that both miss
and Raikas counters with a thumping low kick.
Raikas lands a head kick. Black smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Raipe Raikas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Black takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Raikas - that will leave a mark!
Black avoids a kick to the body.
Raikas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Black moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Black.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Black throws a combination. Raikas tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Black shoots in but Raikas avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Black fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Black lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Black tries to bum rush Raikas with a series of wild strikes but Raikas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Raikas cracks Black with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Raikas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Raikas scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Raikas lands a body shot.
Black tries to clinch there but Raikas circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raipe Raikas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Raikas, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raipe Raikas!