PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Adam Rabago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonny Craig (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rabago comes to the cage accompanied by "Stop Reading, Start Doing Pushups". Craig has chosen Heat Seeking Ghost of Sex as his entrance music. Craig has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rabago
vs
Craig

196 cm
23
170 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

195 cm
24
182 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ultimate Hilo Nutrition

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Adam Rabago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jonny Craig!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Craig darts in and clinches Rabago up against the cage.
Rabago wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Craig has him pressed against the cage.
Rabago wants to get back to striking at distance but Craig won't allow it.
Rabago is looking to break free of the clinch but Craig has double underhooks.
Rabago tries to circle away but Craig has him pinned against the cage.

Craig escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A swing and a miss from Craig.
Craig looks gassed!
Craig moves in looking to clinch but Rabago pushes him off.
Rabago shoots in for a takedown but Craig shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Craig slaps away a takedown attempt from Rabago, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Craig as Rabago shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Rabago. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rabago shoots in and gets a takedown into Craig's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Craig can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rabago working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rabago in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rabago makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rabago really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rabago postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rabago working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Craig's head.
Rabago makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rabago is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rabago distracts Craig with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rabago trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabago landing with the ground and pound.
Rabago is looking to work some ground and pound but Craig has wrist control.
Rabago throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Craig working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rabago.
Rabago landing with the ground and pound.
Rabago in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rabago landing some decent shots from guard.
Rabago postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rabago postures up in Craig's guard and throws a big left but Craig blocks it.
Rabago is working Craig over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rabago in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Craig working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rabago.

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.
Rabago looking to pass the guard.
Rabago postures up in Craig's guard and throws a big left but Craig blocks it.
Rabago loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rabago throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rabago has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rabago pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Craig is keeping the position for now.
Rabago lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rabago lands a couple of digs.
Rabago postures up in Craig's guard and throws a big left but Craig blocks it.
Rabago with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rabago accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rabago postures up in Craig's guard and throws a big left but Craig blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabago loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Craig preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rabago missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rabago thows a big elbow that misses.
Rabago throwing strikes from guard but Craig blocks nicely.
Rabago throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Craig works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rabago loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rabago connects with a couple of short punches.
Rabago is looking to work some ground and pound but Craig has wrist control.
Rabago won't allow Craig to get back to his feet.
Craig is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Rabago throwing strikes from guard but Craig blocks nicely.

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.
Rabago trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rabago won't allow Craig to get back to his feet.
Rabago missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Craig avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rabago postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Craig has momentary wrist control but Rabago slips an elbow through the middle.
Rabago working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rabago chips away with some ground and pound.
Rabago thows a big elbow that misses.
Rabago thows a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rabago misses with a takedown attempt - Craig sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jonny Craig seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rabago fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rabago misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Rabago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rabago fails with a takedown attempt.

Craig rushes Rabago and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Craig's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rabago lands a two punch combo.

Craig gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rabago tries to circle away but Craig has him pinned against the cage.

Craig breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Rabago manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Craig on his heels. He'll look to pass Craig's guard now, I'm sure.
Rabago scoring with punches to the head and body.
Craig has momentary wrist control but Rabago slips an elbow through the middle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rabago with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Craig preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Craig wants to get back to his feet but Rabago is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabago throwing strikes from guard but Craig blocks nicely.
Craig wants to stand but Rabago is controlling the position.
Rabago chips away with some ground and pound.
Rabago thows a big elbow that misses.
Rabago missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rabago landing with the ground and pound.
Rabago in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rabago missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Craig preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Craig preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rabago is looking to work some ground and pound but Craig has wrist control.
Rabago postures up in Craig's guard and throws a big left but Craig blocks it.
Craig is looking to stand up but Rabago isn't so interested in that idea.
Craig avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rabago connects with a couple of short punches.
Rabago trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rabago looking to pass the guard.
Rabago thows a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Craig manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Rabago fails with the takedown.
Rabago fails to land with a series of punches.
Rabago fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rabago looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Craig is fending him off so far but Rabago persists. Nope, Craig circles away and we're back to standing.
Rabago takes one to the side of the head.
Rabago closes the distance and clinches up with Craig, looking for a takedown. Rabago pushes Craig against the cage but Craig circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rabago tries to score a power double leg takedown but Craig sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rabago somewhat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rabago.
Craig scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rabago doesn't seem bothered though.
Craig looks to throw the jab but Rabago is out of range.
Rabago lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rabago uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Craig.

Rabago drives through with a takedown into Craig's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Craig wants to stand but Rabago is controlling the position.
Rabago throws a strike but Craig rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rabago pushes Craig off and scrambles back to his feet.
Rabago looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rabago fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Craig avoids it really well and circles away.
Craig lands a jab to the nose.
Craig displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rabago.
Jonny Craig is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rabago fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Craig avoids it really well and circles away.
Craig thuds his right hand into Rabago's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Adam Rabago 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!

Craig stuffs the takedown.
Craig ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rabago moves away.

Craig has closed the distance and engaged Rabago in a clinch.

Rabago breaks the clinch.
Rabago shoots in for a takedown but Craig shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Adam Rabago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Craig slaps away a takedown attempt from Rabago, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Rabago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rabago changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Craig tries to avoid it but Rabago manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Craig to the ground. Craig escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Craig lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Craig wants to clinch.
Craig stuffs the takedown.
Rabago swinging wildly here.
Rabago staying out of range there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Craig. Rabago does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rabago throws a right and a left that Craig avoids nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Craig misses with a wild body shot.
Rabago shoots in but Craig avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rabago just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabago fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Craig staying out of range there.
Rabago tries for a takedown but Craig sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Craig throws a nice looking combination but Rabago bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rabago shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rabago shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Craig sprawls well. Craig wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rabago gets slowly back to his feet.
Rabago keeps the fight on the outside.
Rabago shoots for a takedown but Craig saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rabago shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Craig sprawls well. Craig wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rabago gets slowly back to his feet.
Craig fails to land with a series of punches.
Rabago shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Craig but Craig pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice body punch from Craig.
Rabago shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Craig but Craig pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rabago bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rabago throws a right hand that Craig ducks under and follows up with a left that Craig also avoids with ease.
Craig displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rabago.
Craig throws a jab when Rabago was well out of range.
Rabago keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Craig.
Craig keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rabago showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Craig.
Rabago misses with a series of wild punches.
Jab, jab by Craig - just one landing.
Craig throws an overhand right that lands on Rabago's shoulder, as Rabago tries to avoid the shot.
Rabago shoots in but no luck this time.
Craig stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Craig wants it to stay on the feet.
Rabago misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Craig tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rabago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Craig wants to clinch up but Rabago keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Craig closes the distance and pushes Rabago back into the cage.

Rabago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rabago fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Craig avoids it really well and circles away.

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

Craig is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Craig's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rabago shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Craig defends it nicely.
Craig connects with the punch.
Rabago shoots in but no luck this time.
Rabago shoots in but no luck this time.
Rabago misses with a takedown attempt - Craig sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Craig connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rabago shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rabago tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Craig swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Craig misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheers as Craig lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rabago doesn't seem phased though.
Rabago fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Craig avoids it really well and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Rabago.
Nice takedown defense from Craig. No joy for Rabago on that attempt.
Rabago keeps the fight on the outside.
Rabago avoids the body shot from Craig.
Jonny Craig has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Craig is looking to clinch.
Rabago shoots for a double leg takedown but Craig sprawls well. He's pushed Rabago's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Craig listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rabago shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Craig defends it nicely.
Craig stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Craig wants it to stay on the feet.
Craig throws a right and a left that both miss.
Adam Rabago is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rabago closes the distance and clinches up with Craig, looking for a takedown. Rabago pushes Craig against the cage but Craig circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rabago has a takedown stuffed.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonny Craig comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rabago has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adam Rabago!