PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matt Trampling (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taylor Raijkovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Trampling
vs
Raijkovic

170 cm
21
152 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

170 cm
23
146 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Trampling!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Taylor Raijkovic!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Trampling.
Trampling throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Raijkovic misses with a looping right.
Trampling throws a jab when Raijkovic was well out of range.
Trampling pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Trampling misses with a head kick.
Raijkovic lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A head kick misses from Trampling.
Trampling tries to clinch up.
Trampling uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Raijkovic.
Raijkovic comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Raijkovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Trampling.
Trampling scoring well with a low kick there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Trampling turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A head kick misses from Trampling.
Trampling takes one to the side of the head.
Trampling takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Raijkovic misses with a hook.
Raijkovic checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raijkovic thows a body shot but no joy.
Raijkovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Raijkovic misses with an uppercut. Trampling saw that one coming.
Trampling fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Trampling. Raijkovic shrugs it off though.
Raijkovic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Raijkovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Trampling manages to avoid it.
Trampling staying out of range there.
Nice shot lands for Raijkovic.
Raijkovic getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Trampling throws a shot from downtown. Raijkovic moves away and avoids it.
Trampling tries a head kick but it misses.
Trampling doesn't manage to clinch there - Raijkovic circles away.
Trampling with a jab.
Raijkovic lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Trampling misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raijkovic throws an overhand right that lands on Trampling's shoulder, as Trampling tries to avoid the shot.
Trampling misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raijkovic.
Trampling tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Raijkovic is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Trampling misses with a body kick.
Trampling throws a jab when Raijkovic was well out of range.

Trampling moves into the clinch.
Trampling tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Raijkovic takes an elbow to the forehead.
Raijkovic has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Trampling avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Trampling utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Trampling looking to throw knees to the head but Raijkovic is blocking nicely.
The referee calls for Trampling to work.
Raijkovic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Trampling fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Trampling looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raijkovic checks a low kick from Trampling.
Trampling tries to score with a low kick but Raijkovic moves his leg out of the way.
Trampling wants to clinch.
Raijkovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Trampling slips under a jab from Raijkovic.
Matt Trampling is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A punch combination from Trampling misses.
Raijkovic lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Trampling tries to clinch up but Raijkovic circles away and keeps his distance.
A jab from Raijkovic misses.
Raijkovic avoids the head kick by Trampling.
Trampling throws a sloppy head kick and Raijkovic moves out of range easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Trampling lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Raijkovic has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Raijkovic and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Raijkovic swats away the attempt to clinch by Trampling.
Raijkovic blocks a head kick by Trampling.
Trampling tries a head kick but it misses.
Raijkovic lands a slapping body shot.
Raijkovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Matt Trampling seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raijkovic lands a body shot.
Trampling will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Raijkovic listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A combination from Trampling does no damage.
Raijkovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Trampling moves away.
A punch combination from Trampling misses.

Raijkovic closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Trampling did well to prevent Raijkovic getting side control.
Trampling is breathing heavily.

Raijkovic is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Raijkovic seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Taylor Raijkovic will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Trampling throws a lazy right hand but Raijkovic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Raijkovic slips a jab from Trampling.
Raijkovic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Raijkovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Trampling.
Raijkovic throws a lazy right hand but Trampling sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Raijkovic darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Trampling.
Trampling uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Raijkovic.
Trampling throws a chopping leg kick but Raijkovic manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Raijkovic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Trampling doesn't seem bothered though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Trampling swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Trampling is looking to score with low kicks.
Trampling pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Raijkovic takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Trampling connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trampling is looking to clinch.
Trampling attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Raijkovic thuds a left hand into Trampling's body.
Raijkovic thows a body shot but no joy.
Trampling tries to clinch up.
Raijkovic stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Trampling.
Raijkovic lands a nice shot to the body.
A slow jab from Trampling misses its intended target.
Raijkovic checks the leg kick nicely there.
Trampling throws a predictable looking body shot
and Raijkovic counters with a right hand to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Trampling.
Raijkovic avoids the head kick by Trampling.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Trampling misses with a body punch

and Raijkovic counters with a shoot takedown. Trampling fights it but they end up in guard.
Raijkovic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Trampling is keeping the position for now.
Raijkovic is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raijkovic trying to control but Trampling is working from the bottom.
Trampling controls Raijkovic momentarily but Raijkovic frees himself.
Raijkovic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Raijkovic has gone for a leg lock! Trampling slips out almost immediately though and dives into Raijkovic's guard.

Raijkovic is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Trampling defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trampling is pushing down on Raijkovic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Raijkovic is fighting to maintain full guard but Trampling has managed to sneak the leg through.
Trampling wants to lay and pray for a moment but Raijkovic keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Trampling frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Raijkovic is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Trampling trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Raijkovic slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trampling trying to control from half guard but Raijkovic is working away.
Trampling tries to stand but can't do so whilst Raijkovic controls his leg.

Raijkovic actively working from the bottom here.

Raijkovic actively working from the bottom here.
Trampling is thwarting Raijkovic's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taylor Raijkovic 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!

Trampling dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Raijkovic. That did some damage!
Trampling buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Trampling throws a sloppy head kick

and Raijkovic decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Trampling's guard.

Raijkovic has gone for a leg lock! Trampling slips out almost immediately though and dives into Raijkovic's guard.
Raijkovic keeping full guard, as Trampling tries to pass.
Trampling content to stall in guard here.
Raijkovic trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trampling pushes down on Raijkovic's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Trampling performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Trampling gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Taylor Raijkovic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matt Trampling is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Trampling fails in his attempt to clinch.
Trampling attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Raijkovic scores with a shot to the body.
Trampling walks into a jab.
Trampling throws a lazy head kick
and Raijkovic counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Trampling thinking.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Raijkovic.
Trampling moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Raijkovic tries to clinch up but Trampling circles away and keeps his distance.
Raijkovic checks a low kick from Trampling.
Raijkovic avoids the head kick by Trampling.
Trampling throws a push kick but Raijkovic slaps the foot to one side.
Trampling tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raijkovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Trampling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trampling closes the distance but Raijkovic moves to the side

and Raijkovic counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Trampling is looking to escape.
Raijkovic sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Trampling wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Raijkovic in particular looking to stall.
Trampling is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Trampling is not content to let Raijkovic control the position.
Trampling regains full guard. Nicely done.
Trampling is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Raijkovic is controlling him.
Raijkovic is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Raijkovic passes easily into side control. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taylor Raijkovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Raijkovic winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taylor Raijkovic!