PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rik McRae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taika Lono (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McRae comes to the cage accompanied by Slipknot - Before I Forget. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McRae
vs
Lono

189 cm
24
198 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

200 cm
28
198 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $6 - $30)
Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $6 - $30)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rik McRae!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taika Lono!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Matheus Silva and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lono misses with a leg kick
and McRae counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Lono throws a nice outside leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Lono checks a leg kick.
McRae throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lono throws a sloppy body shot
and McRae counters with a leg kick.
McRae throws a leg kick but Lono checks it.
McRae keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A head kick misses from Lono.
McRae misses with a leg kick
and Lono counters with an inside leg kick.
McRae steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lono.
Lono uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before McRae has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lono fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A low kick from Lono misses
and McRae counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lono throws a low kick but McRae moves out of range easily.
Lono lands a leg kick that knocks McRae off balance momentarily.
A low kick from McRae misses
and Lono counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
McRae misses with a kick to the body.
An inside leg kick from McRae misses.
McRae looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
McRae fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McRae throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McRae looks to throw the jab but Lono is out of range.
McRae throws a leg kick
and Lono counters with a one-two to the body.
Lono throws a leg kick that is checked
letting McRae counter with a right hand.
Lono connects with a leg kick. McRae looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
McRae attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lono throws an off balance right hand
and McRae counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McRae throws a head kick but Lono moves out of range.
Lono tries a head kick but it misses.
Taika Lono is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lono gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lono throws a low kick but McRae moves out of range easily.
McRae tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McRae avoids the head kick by Lono.
Lono connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Lono throws a sloppy body shot
and McRae counters with a thumping low kick.
Lono misses with a combination
and McRae makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Lono really felt that one!
Lono tries to work over McRae's front leg with a kick but McRae checks it.
Lono avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McRae misses with a head kick.
McRae throws a leg kick
and Lono counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lono ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McRae attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Lono throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Lono throws a sloppy body shot
and McRae counters with a thumping low kick.
McRae throws a looping overhand right but Lono ducks down to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A low kick from Lono is predictable there
and McRae counters with a nice uppercut.
McRae misses with a hook.
Lono lands a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taika Lono dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McRae lands a jab to the nose.
A telegraphed right hand from McRae misses the target.
McRae uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lono.
Lono moves in looking to clinch but McRae pushes him off.
McRae lands a jab to the head.
Lono lands a right hook to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Lono, right into the meat.
McRae misses with a hook.
McRae motions for Lono to come forward. McRae throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lono throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lono throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McRae scores with a head kick. Lono tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Taika Lono seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lono connects with a solid leg kick.
Lono throws a front kick aimed at McRae's knee but McRae avoids it well.
McRae throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Lono has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lono looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McRae lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lono checks a leg kick.
Lono is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Lono throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and McRae counters with a slapping leg kick.
Lono checks the leg kick.
McRae thows a body kick. Lono tries to catch it but that hurt him.
McRae attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Good leg kick by Lono there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Lono does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Lono misses with a hook to the body
and McRae counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lono swings and misses with a shot to the body

and McRae counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

McRae is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Lono knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Lono really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McRae. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRae wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lono keeps working.

McRae tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no McRae has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lono isn't going anywhere.
McRae wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lono keeps working.

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.

McRae tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on Lono's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

McRae working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rik McRae dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lono has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by McRae.
A low kick from McRae misses
and Lono counters with a nice uppercut.
McRae checks a low kick from Lono.
Lono misses with an uppercut. McRae saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McRae throws a hook but Lono avoids it easily.
McRae shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lono sprawls well. Lono wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McRae gets slowly back to his feet.
McRae checks a leg kick nicely.
McRae is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lono misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McRae.
Lono dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McRae. That did some damage!
McRae stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lono.
McRae uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lono.
Lono slips a straight right by McRae.
Lono thumps McRae with a low kick.
McRae checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McRae scores with a nice strike.
McRae looks for the body kick but Lono saw that one coming.
Lono throws a low kick but it's checked well by McRae.
McRae fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lono manages to avoid it.
Lono tries a head kick but it misses.
Lono throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McRae thumps Lono with a low kick.
Lono thows a left - swing and a miss!
McRae lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lono throws a leg kick
and McRae counters with a low kick, right behind Lono 's knee.
McRae throws a head kick that misses
and Lono makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Lono ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lono throws an overhand right that lands on McRae's shoulder, as McRae tries to avoid the shot.
McRae fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Lono is out of range.
Lono takes a swing at McRae's ribcage but misses.
Lono swings away with a body shot that misses
and McRae counters with a nice leg kick.
Lono getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Lono connects with a solid leg kick.
Taika Lono seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lono misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lono swings for the body but McRae moves out of range.
Lono connects with a solid leg kick.
McRae fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lono avoids it really well and circles away.
Lono stuns McRae with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lono is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down McRae rather than just go for the knockout.
Some wild striking there from Lono.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lono.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taika Lono really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lono thows a body shot but no joy.
The fighters circling - McRae throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lono doesn't manage to clinch there - McRae circles away.
A good leg kick by Lono.
McRae turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Lono fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lono fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McRae manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A chopping leg kick lands by McRae.
Lono on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Lono throws a low kick, looking for McRae's leg but McRae calmly moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lono misses with a body shot
letting McRae counter with a right hand.
Lono attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
McRae tries to land a leg kick but Lono saw it coming and moves away.
Lono misses with a leg kick
and McRae counters with a nice low kick that buckles Lono's knee momentarily.
Lono misses with a hook to the body
and McRae counters with a leg kick.
McRae throws a leg kick but Lono sees it coming and moves out of range.
Lono throws a good cross that connects.
McRae throws a lazy right hand but Lono sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lono misses with a wild body shot.
A jab lands there for McRae.
Lono checks a leg kick nicely.
Lono punishes McRae's body with a nice straight punch.
Lono buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
McRae misses with a low kick.

McRae closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lono quickly recovers to half guard.
McRae looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRae uses his free foot to push down on Lono's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Lono.

McRae goes for an armbar but Lono turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Lono.
McRae can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lono controls the pace.
Lono works a leg free and moves into half guard.
McRae is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McRae slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

McRae is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Lono wants to control from the top but McRae keeps moving.
Lono stopping the sweep attempt from McRae.
McRae lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Lono!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Rik McRae will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nice uppercut lands for McRae. That snapped Lono's head back.
Lono blocks a jab.
Lono works over McRae's head and body with a nice combination.
McRae misses with an uppercut.
Lono just misses with a punch to the body.
McRae ducks under a wild hook from Lono.
McRae throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lono on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McRae. McRae obviously looking to wear him down.
Lono avoids the head kick by McRae.
McRae on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lono scores with a hook to the body. McRae takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Lono just misses with a punch to the body.
Lono will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
McRae throws a poor cross that misses
and Lono counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
McRae throws a hook but Lono avoids it easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lono.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McRae checks a leg kick.
Lono throws a leg kick
and McRae counters with a big head kick but Lono shrugs it off.
Lono tries to close the distance and clinch but McRae swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jab from Lono.
Lono scores with a hook to the body. McRae takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
McRae swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Lono counters with a nice leg kick.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
McRae dives in and grabs Lono's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lono pushes down on McRae's head and hops out.
Lono dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McRae thows a leg kick but Lono checks it
and Lono counters with a low kick, right behind McRae 's knee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Lono misses
and Lono takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McRae throws a lazy uppercut
and Lono counters with an outside leg kick.
Lono pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McRae uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lono.
Lono looks to score with a jab to the body but McRae is just out of range.
Lono misses with a leg kick

and McRae counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McRae.
McRae stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lono swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McRae trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Lono manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lono won't allow McRae to sweep him here.
McRae might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Lono avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McRae can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lono controls the pace.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lono tries to free his leg and advance position but McRae is retaining full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taika Lono comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lono has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 47:48
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 47:48
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taika Lono!
Taika Lono is the new middleweight champion!