PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Honovi Blackfoot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nando Rafael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Blackfoot
vs
Rafael

168 cm
22
142 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

170 cm
21
145 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Honovi Blackfoot!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nando Rafael!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rafael moves into the clinch.
Rafael misses with the head strike.

Rafael breaks the clinch.
Blackfoot misses with a lunging right hand
and Rafael counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Blackfoot uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rafael has time to react.
Blackfoot misses with an uppercut
and Rafael counters with a straight right hand.
Blackfoot swings away with a body shot that misses
and Rafael counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Blackfoot with a poor takedown

and Rafael counters by clinching up.
Rafael lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Blackfoot backwards.
A shot in the inside from Rafael.

Blackfoot pulls guard effortlessly.
Rafael seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Blackfoot throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rafael content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Blackfoot looking to control.
Blackfoot throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Rafael content to stall in guard here.

Nando Rafael has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Rafael cracks Blackfoot with a good jab.
Blackfoot throws an off balance right hand
enabling Rafael to counter with a crisp jab.
Blackfoot misses the body punch
enabling Rafael to counter with a crisp jab.
Rafael misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blackfoot.
Blackfoot misses with a body shot
and Rafael counters with a low kick, right behind Blackfoot 's knee.
Honovi Blackfoot seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blackfoot throws an off balance right hand
and Rafael counters with a low kick, right behind Blackfoot 's knee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackfoot swings widly with a right hand
and Rafael counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Nando Rafael is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rafael. Blackfoot does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rafael is looking to slow Blackfoot down with leg kicks.
Rafael swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Blackfoot.
Blackfoot rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Rafael holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rafael is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Rafael lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Blackfoot backwards.
Rafael lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rafael throws a head punch that misses.
Rafael throws a head punch that misses.
Blackfoot tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rafael smiles and moves away.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rafael. Blackfoot shrugs it off though.
Both fighters circling a little - Rafael finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Blackfoot misses with a right hand
and Rafael counters with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackfoot with a poor takedown
and Rafael counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Honovi Blackfoot. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blackfoot tries for a takedown but Rafael circles away easily
and Rafael counters with a nice low kick that buckles Blackfoot's knee momentarily.
Blackfoot misses with a shot to the body
and Rafael counters with an inside leg kick.
Rafael connects with an inside leg kick.
Blackfoot is breathing heavily.
Rafael takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Blackfoot throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rafael stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Blackfoot doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rafael counters with a big head kick but Blackfoot shrugs it off.
Blackfoot rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rafael counters with a stiff right hand.

Rafael has Blackfoot up against the cage in a clinch.
Good body shot from Rafael.

Blackfoot manages to pull guard.
Blackfoot tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rafael controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael passes Blackfoot's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Rafael stalling.
Blackfoot tries to get to full guard but Rafael has control of the leg.
Rafael is pressing down on Blackfoot's thigh, looking to free his foot. Blackfoot is holding on for now.

Blackfoot is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rafael pulls his head out easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rafael controlling the pace.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rafael prevents Blackfoot from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nando Rafael dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Blackfoot takes one to the chin there.
Blackfoot swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Rafael clinches up against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Rafael.
Blackfoot tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Blackfoot has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rafael uses from the top position.

Blackfoot is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rafael is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rafael trying to stand up but can't free himself from Blackfoot's guard.

Blackfoot is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Blackfoot had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rafael defends it easily.

Blackfoot has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rafael can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Blackfoot being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nando Rafael hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Blackfoot lands a nice looking body shot.
Blackfoot tries for a takedown but Rafael circles away easily
and Rafael counters with a good low kick that Blackfoot was not able to check.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackfoot misses with a right hand

and Rafael holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rafael is leaning against Blackfoot and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rafael is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Blackfoot drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rafael pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Honovi Blackfoot. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blackfoot misses with a left hand
and Rafael counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Blackfoot gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rafael counters with an outside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rafael. That's going to slow Blackfoot down.
Rafael is looking to slow Blackfoot down with leg kicks.
Blackfoot misses with a body punch
and Rafael counters with an outside leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Blackfoot misses with a body shot
and Rafael counters with a big head kick but Blackfoot shrugs it off.
Blackfoot throws a predictable looking body shot
and Rafael counters with a flying knee. Nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blackfoot fails with the takedown
and Rafael counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackfoot shoots and misses
and Rafael counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rafael plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Danga de danga de dang - Rafael scores with a four punch combination!
Blackfoot throws a poor cross that misses
letting Rafael counter with a right hand.
Rafael looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Blackfoot has his takedown stuffed

and Rafael counters by moving into the clinch.
Rafael is working Blackfoot over against the cage.
Rafael lands a hook that snaps the head of Blackfoot backwards.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rafael takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Rafael lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rafael's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rafael stops a takedown attempt from Blackfoot.

Blackfoot has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rafael uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rafael pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Blackfoot is keeping the position for now.
Rafael's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Blackfoot has his foot on Rafael's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rafael works his way back into a safe position though.
Blackfoot wants to improve his position but instead Rafael has moved into half guard.
Rafael slows the pace down in half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Blackfoot flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nando Rafael showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Blackfoot lands with a good body shot.
Blackfoot swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rafael counters with a nice leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rafael.
Blackfoot swings away with a body shot that misses
and Rafael counters with a low kick, right behind Blackfoot 's knee.
Blackfoot with a poor takedown

and Rafael counters by clinching up.
Blackfoot is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Rafael manages to break the clinch.
Blackfoot throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rafael counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Blackfoot tries for a takedown but Rafael circles away easily
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Rafael lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Blackfoot throws an off balance right hand
and Rafael connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Blackfoot drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rafael controls the position for a moment.
Rafael tries to bench press Blackfoot off him but Blackfoot keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blackfoot looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Blackfoot stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Blackfoot on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rafael. Rafael obviously looking to wear him down.
Blackfoot moves into range and connects with a jab.
Blackfoot tries for a takedown but Rafael circles away easily
and Rafael counters with a nice low kick that buckles Blackfoot's knee momentarily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Honovi Blackfoot. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Blackfoot gets tackled into the cage by Rafael. Rafael maintains the clinch.
Rafael trying to stall but Blackfoot improves his position.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rafael takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A short left from Rafael.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rafael breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Blackfoot lunges at Rafael with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rafael's hand.
Blackfoot misses with a body shot
and Rafael counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Blackfoot thinking.
A shot to the body from Blackfoot misses
and Rafael counters with an outside leg kick.
Blackfoot fails with the takedown
and Rafael counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rafael dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Blackfoot. That did some damage!
Blackfoot throws a right hand that misses
and Rafael counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Blackfoot misses with a lunging right hand
and Rafael counters with a nice uppercut.
Rafael cracks the inside of Blackfoot's front leg.
Blackfoot misses with a hook to the body
and Rafael makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Blackfoot really felt that one!

Rafael closes the distance and clinches.
Blackfoot tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rafael just stands there and leans against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice left hand lands by Rafael.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackfoot jumps guard but Rafael stands there with Blackfoot around his waist. Blackfoot gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rafael.
Rafael gets underhooks to prevent Blackfoot's takedown attempt.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rafael.
Rafael scores with a shot to the side of Blackfoot's head.
Rafael throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A nice left hand lands by Rafael.
Stalling in the clinch from Rafael.
Rafael lands a nice shot to the body.
Rafael digs a right hand underneath Blackfoot's ribcage. Blackfoot let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Blackfoot tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rafael smiles and moves away.
Blackfoot throws a right hand that misses
and Rafael counters with a head kick. That will keep Blackfoot thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Rafael misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Blackfoot throws a predictable looking body shot

and Rafael moves into the clinch.
Blackfoot jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rafael walks away with a smile on his face. Blackfoot gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rafael connects with a jab.

Rafael clinches with his opponent.
Blackfoot jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rafael walks away with a smile on his face. Blackfoot gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nando Rafael seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blackfoot tries for a takedown but Rafael circles away easily
and Rafael counters with a leg kick.
Blackfoot takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Honovi Blackfoot has been cut.
Blackfoot misses with a body punch
and Rafael counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rafael.
Blackfoot takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Blackfoot shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rafael counters with a nice leg kick.
Rafael throws a nice head kick!
Blackfoot throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rafael counters with a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rafael fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Blackfoot swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rafael counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Blackfoot swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rafael counters with a body kick that stops Blackfoot in his tracks momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nando Rafael really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Honovi Blackfoot's cut.
That's time! Blackfoot's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Blackfoot throws a poor cross that misses
and Rafael counters with a good low kick that Blackfoot was not able to check.
Blackfoot misses with a hook to the body
and Rafael counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Blackfoot misses with a hook to the body
and Rafael counters with an outside leg kick.
Blackfoot tries for a takedown but Rafael circles away easily
and Rafael counters with a low kick, right behind Blackfoot 's knee.
Blackfoot misses with an uppercut
and Rafael counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Blackfoot thinking.
Blackfoot misses with a jab to the body
and Rafael counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Blackfoot rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Rafael has Blackfoot up against the cage in a clinch.
Blackfoot tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rafael just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short left from Rafael.
Rafael lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rafael throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The referee calls for Rafael to work.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Rafael lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafael working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rafael lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rafael lands a right hand that snaps the head of Blackfoot backwards.
A short right from Rafael on the inside.
Rafael content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Rafael.
Rafael digs a right hand underneath Blackfoot's ribcage. Blackfoot let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rafael stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Rafael lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rafael is stalling here.
Rafael is working Blackfoot over against the cage.
Rafael scores with a shoulder strike.
Good body shot from Rafael.
Rafael looking to slow down the pace here.
Rafael is working Blackfoot over against the cage.
Blackfoot is working for takedown but Rafael is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Honovi Blackfoot. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rafael leaning his opponent against the cage.
Nando Rafael seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Nando Rafael.
Rafael tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Blackfoot shoots and misses
and Blackfoot takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Blackfoot with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rafael counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rafael lands a jab to the nose.

Rafael has closed the distance and engaged Blackfoot in a clinch.
Blackfoot drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A short uppercut from Rafael.
Rafael scores with a nice hook to the head.
Blackfoot jumps guard but Rafael stands there with Blackfoot around his waist. Blackfoot gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rafael lands a shot to the body.
Rafael working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rafael lands a body punch in the clinch.

Rafael's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rafael lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Blackfoot has his takedown stuffed
and Rafael makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rafael.
Rafael throws a good cross that connects.
Blackfoot with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rafael counters with a two punch combo.
Rafael lands a nice shot that snaps Blackfoot's head back.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rafael.
Rafael lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Blackfoot at a distance.
Blackfoot takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Blackfoot throws a lazy uppercut
and Rafael counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Blackfoot throws a sloppy body shot
and Rafael counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael connects with a looping right hand.
Blackfoot throws a lazy uppercut
and Rafael counters with a straight right hand.
Rafael fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Blackfoot.
Nice jab there from Rafael.
Rafael thows a body kick. Blackfoot tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Blackfoot misses with a hook to the body

and Rafael counters by clinching up.
Blackfoot goes for a takedown attempt but Rafael pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rafael throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rafael throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rafael lands a slapping body shot.
Blackfoot rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rafael counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nando Rafael dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Honovi Blackfoot's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Blackfoot walks into a straight right hand from Rafael.
Blackfoot throws an off balance right hand
and Rafael counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Blackfoot thinking.
Blackfoot shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rafael counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rafael.
Blackfoot goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rafael prevents it.
Rafael holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Rafael lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Blackfoot or not.
Blackfoot looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rafael lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rafael lands a nice shot to the body.
Rafael lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Blackfoot jumps guard but Rafael stands there with Blackfoot around his waist. Blackfoot gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Honovi Blackfoot. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rafael lands a body shot.
A shot in the inside from Rafael.
Rafael lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rafael taking a breather.
Blackfoot fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rafael trying to stall but Blackfoot improves his position.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for Rafael to work.
Rafael working aggressively here.

Rafael's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Blackfoot rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rafael makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Blackfoot misses with a takedown
and Rafael counters with a thumping low kick.
Rafael dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Blackfoot. That did some damage!
Rafael fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rafael connects with a leg kick. Blackfoot looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rafael lands with a good body shot.

Rafael rushes Blackfoot and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A short uppercut from Rafael.
Blackfoot jumps guard but Rafael stands there with Blackfoot around his waist. Blackfoot gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Blackfoot jumps guard but Rafael stands there with Blackfoot around his waist. Blackfoot gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rafael.
Rafael pushes Blackfoot back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rafael works on Blackfoot's body with a couple of short punches.
Blackfoot will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Blackfoot tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Blackfoot tries to pull guard but Rafael holds him up against the cage and eventually Blackfoot drops back down to his feet.
Blackfoot tries to pull guard but Rafael holds him up against the cage and eventually Blackfoot drops back down to his feet.
Rafael lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A nice left hand lands by Rafael.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Blackfoot.
A right handed body shot lands from Rafael.

Blackfoot pulls guard successfully.
Rafael has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rafael's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Rafael looking to pass the guard.
Rafael stays in close to Blackfoot's body and controls the position.
Blackfoot trying to control the position.
Honovi Blackfoot has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rafael really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Blackfoot. 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.
Rafael is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nando Rafael wasn't active enough on the ground.
Blackfoot jabs at Rafael's body.
Blackfoot throws a lazy uppercut
and Rafael counters with a good low kick that Blackfoot was not able to check.
Blackfoot misses with a shot to the body
and Rafael counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rafael throws a quick inside leg kick.
Blackfoot throws a right hand that misses
and Rafael counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Blackfoot takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Blackfoot fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Blackfoot throws a lazy uppercut
and Rafael counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Blackfoot misses with a jab to the body
and Rafael counters with a body kick.
Blackfoot swings widly with a right hand
and Rafael counters with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael thumps Blackfoot with a low kick.
A jab from Blackfoot does it's job there.

Rafael gets a clinch.
Rafael is trying to maintain a safe position but Blackfoot gets an underhook and turns Rafael into the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Rafael.
Rafael lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Blackfoot backwards.
Rafael makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rafael is pushing Blackfoot up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Blackfoot is trying to drag Rafael to the mat but Rafael just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rafael is pressed up against the cage. Blackfoot has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rafael down to the mat. Rafael avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rafael throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Blackfoot swings widly with a right hand
and Rafael makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rafael. That's going to slow Blackfoot down.

Blackfoot gets tackled into the cage by Rafael. Rafael maintains the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nando Rafael comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rafael 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 44:50
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 44:50
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nando Rafael!
Nando Rafael is the new bantamweight champion!