PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Rau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Prince Symbol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Prince Symbol has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Rau
vs
Symbol

185 cm
22
197 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

150 cm
24
196 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joe Rau!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Prince Symbol!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rau fails in his attempt to clinch.
Symbol shoots in and drives through. Rau sprawls well.
Rau misses with a wild combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Symbol.
Rau displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Symbol.
Joe Rau has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Prince Symbol.
Rau fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rau tries to clinch but Symbol moves out of range.
Rau throws a shot from downtown. Symbol moves away and avoids it.
Rau throws a looping overhand right but Symbol ducks down to avoid it.
Rau tries to close the distance and clinch but Symbol swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Symbol shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rau defends it nicely.
Rau scores with a nice head shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Symbol.
Rau tries to clinch but Symbol is having none of it.
Symbol tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rau swivels and escapes.

Symbol shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rau napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rau taking a bit of punishment here - Symbol scoring with strikes.
Symbol working the ground and pound but Rau is defending the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rau pushes Symbol away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Symbol gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rau looking for a sweep but Symbol has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Symbol landing punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Symbol working Rau over with strikes here.
Symbol is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Rau can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Rau is looking to get to half guard.
Rau is trying to stand.
Rau is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Symbol dominating with strikes here.
Rau tries to buck Symbol off but he can't manage it.
Symbol breaks from Rau's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Symbol blocks Rau's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
A nice elbow there by Symbol.
Symbol tries to control but Rau wriggling away.
Symbol scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Rau?
Symbol punishing his opponent with strikes.
Symbol lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Rau hang on?
Symbol is landing with some decent strikes but Rau is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Rau is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Symbol cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Oh Rau is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rau is breathing heavily.
Symbol connects with a bit shot that sees Rau covering up! More strikes from Symbol and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Symbol is our winner by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Prince Symbol!