PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Raith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Rochanko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Raith
vs
Rochanko

188 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Thomas Raith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Rochanko!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Illya Tyunina and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Raith drives through and clinches with Rochanko against the cage.

Raith turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Raith wants to control but Rochanko is keeping him busy.

Raith wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rochanko, who protects the arm well.
Rochanko is being controlled here.
Raith trying to control the position but Rochanko is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rochanko can't do much from the bottom here.

Raith tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Raith tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Rochanko gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raith trying to control the position from guard on top but Rochanko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Raith is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rochanko is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rochanko has escaped and now he's on top!

Raith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rochanko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rochanko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Rochanko is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Raith is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Raith has escaped and now he's on top!
Raithis looking to pass into half guard but Rochanko pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Rochanko is in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rochanko looking to pass the guard.

Rochanko has gone for a leg lock! Raith slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rochanko's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Raith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Raith not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Raith's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Rochanko keeping moving, preventing Raith from controlling successfully.

Raith has gone for a leg lock! Rochanko slips out almost immediately though and dives into Raith's guard.
Rochanko is looking to stand up but Raith won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Raith dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Raith lands a head kick. Rochanko smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Raith throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rochanko was covering up waiting for the punch and Raith finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Raith trying to control but Rochanko is working from the bottom.
Raith looking to sit in guard and control but Rochanko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raith trying to control the position from guard on top but Rochanko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Raith drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rochanko looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rochanko looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rochanko!
Raith is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rochanko's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Raith is trying to stand.
Rochanko is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Raith manages to get to full guard.
Raith manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Raith swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Rochanko is now in Raith's guard. A big mistake from Raith there, giving up the dominant position!

Raith has his foot on Rochanko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rochanko works his way back into a safe position though.
Rochanko won't allow Raith to sweep him here.

Raith is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rochanko is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rochanko preventing the sweep.

Rochanko has gone for a leg lock! Raith slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rochanko's guard.
Raith wants to pass the guard but Rochanko is keeping the position.
Rochanko trying to control the position.
Rochanko keeping moving, preventing Raith from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Raith controlling from the top position.
Raith tries to free his leg and advance position but Rochanko is retaining full guard.
Raith passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Raith dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rochanko tries to clinch up

and Raith counters with a takedown into side control.
Raith wants to control but Rochanko is keeping him busy.
Raith in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Raith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rochanko knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Raith is trying to get an arm triangle but Rochanko is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rochanko is trying to escape the position but Raith is controlling the position.

Raith wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rochanko, who protects the arm well.

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.
Raith moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Raith tries to move to mount but Rochanko blocks the move with his legs.
Raith controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Thomas Raith just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Raith closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rochanko did well to prevent Raith getting side control.

Raith is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rochanko defends it well.
Raith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rochanko defending well though.

Raith is working for a kimura but Rochanko is defending it quite comfortably.
Thomas Raith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Raith trying to control the action but Rochanko is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Raith seems to be looking for submissions.

Raith is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rochanko has managed to free his arm - good work.

Raith seems to be working for a kimura but Rochanko defends the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Raith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Raith has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Raith!