PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Radio Raheem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ed Larson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Larson has chosen Headstrong by Trapt as his entrance music. Ed Larson told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Raheem
vs
Larson

190 cm
25
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
215 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Radio Raheem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ed Larson!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Kavanagh and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raheem throws a hook but Larson blocks it.
Larson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Raheem is fending him off so far but Larson persists. Nope, Raheem circles away and we're back to standing.
Raheem throws a jab when Larson was well out of range.
Larson tries for a takedown but Raheem sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Raheem throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Larson.
Raheem misses with a two punch combination.
Larson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Raheem.

Raheem drops Larson with a beautiful combination! Larson stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Raheem is looking for the KO!

Larson is rocked!

It looks like Ed Larson has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raheem misses with an uppercut.
Raheem swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Raheem pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Raheem misses with a series of wild punches.

Larson shoots in and bounces Raheem off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Larson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Raheem's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Larson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Raheem sees it coming and defends easily.

Larson seems to be working for a kimura but Raheem defends the submission attempt.

Larson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Raheem sees it coming and defends easily.
Larson looks gassed!

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.
Raheem is trying to get back to full guard.

Larson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Larson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Raheem is just riding it out for now. Larson eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raheem controlling the position well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raheem wants to get back to full guard.

Larson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Raheem defends it well.

Larson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A swing and a miss from Raheem.
Raheem throws the left hand but Larson avoids the punch easily.
Radio Raheem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Raheem stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Raheem lands the left hand.

That has opened up Ed Larson's cut even more.
Larson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Raheem.
Raheem misses with a double jab.
Raheem misses with an uppercut. Larson saw that one coming.
Raheem throws a hook to the side of Larson's head but Larson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Raheem leaves Larson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Radio Raheem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ed Larson.
Larson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Raheem circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Radio Raheem dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ed Larson's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Raheem throws a series of punches but Larson avoids them all with ease.
A jab from Raheem misses.
Radio Raheem is winning the standup battle so far.
Raheem throws a series of strikes that have Larson backpedaling.
Some wild striking there from Raheem.
Larson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Raheem defends it nicely.
Raheem rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Larson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Raheem throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Larson.
Larson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Raheem tries to avoid it but Larson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Raheem to the ground. Raheem escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Larson moves out of range as Raheem strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Larson moves out of range of the strikes.
Larson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Radio Raheem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ed Larson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raheem misses with a few strikes there.
Raheem defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Larson.
Radio Raheem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raheem throws a right and a left that Larson avoids nicely.
Larson shoots in and drives through. Raheem sprawls well.
A nice combination there by Raheem.
Raheem misses with a looping left.
Larson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Raheem sprawls well. Raheem wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Larson gets slowly back to his feet.
Larson slips under a jab.
Larson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Raheem throws out the jab.

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.
Larson moves out of range as Raheem strikes.
Larson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Raheem waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Larson.

Larson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Larson lands in his opponent's guard.

Larson drops back looking for a leg! Raheem is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Raheem manages to kick Larson off! Larson jumps back into Raheem's guard.
Larson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Raheem swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Larson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Larson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Larson drops back looking for a leg! Raheem is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Raheem manages to kick Larson off! Larson jumps back into Raheem's guard.

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.

Larson drops back looking for a leg! Raheem is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Raheem manages to kick Larson off! Larson jumps back into Raheem's guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Raheem throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raheem fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Raheem misses with a double jab.
Larson shoots in and drives through. Raheem sprawls well.

Larson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Raheem's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Radio Raheem dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ed Larson's cut.
That's time! Raheem's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Raheem throws a hook but Larson avoids it easily.

Larson drives through with a takedown into guard.

Larson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Larson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Larson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Larson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Larson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Larson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Larson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Larson drops back looking for a leg! Raheem is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Raheem manages to kick Larson off! Larson jumps back into Raheem's guard.

Larson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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

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.
Larson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Raheem is one step ahead there.

Larson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Raheem defends it easily.

Larson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Larson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Larson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Larson is looking for a triangle but Raheem pushes his legs off easily.

Larson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Raheem avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Raheem throws a hook but Larson blocks it.
Larson shoots in for a takedown but Raheem shows good takedown defense.
Raheem lunges at Larson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Larson's hand.
Raheem loads up on a big right hand but Larson slips the punch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Raheem lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Larson moves out of range of the strikes.
Ed Larson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Radio Raheem is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Raheem bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Larson's head backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Radio Raheem showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Raheem, 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Radio Raheem!