PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tane Te Rauparaha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hammer Fire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Te Rauparaha comes to the cage accompanied by Get Ready - Concord Dawn ft Scribe. This should be fireworks!

Te Rauparaha
vs
Fire

190 cm
27
190 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

185 cm
24
195 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tane Te Rauparaha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hammer Fire!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Damien Edna and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fire throws a head kick but Te Rauparaha moves out of range.

Fire moves into range and clinches up with Te Rauparaha.
Fire on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fire trying to land knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha tries to throw a body punch but Fire avoids it by throwing Te Rauparaha back against the cage.
Fire misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Te Rauparaha.
A right hook to the body lands for Te Rauparaha.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Te Rauparaha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fire is defending well for now.
Fire tries to land knees in the clinch but Te Rauparaha avoids the damage to the body.
Fire managing to block the knees to the body from Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha works on Fire's body with a couple of short punches.
Te Rauparaha pushes off an throws an elbow but Fire leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Te Rauparaha misses with a hook to the ribs.
Te Rauparaha controlling the action here for a moment.
Fire on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha misses with a punch to the body.
Te Rauparaha leaning against his opponent.

Te Rauparaha breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fire misses with an uppercut.

Fire closes the distance and clinches.
Te Rauparaha struggles to land a body shot inside as Fire controls his hands.
Te Rauparaha tries to land knees in the clinch but Fire avoids the damage to the body.
Fire avoiding damage as Te Rauparaha throws knees to the body.
Fire on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Te Rauparaha keeps control of Fire as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Te Rauparaha trying to control the position but instead, Fire has worked for underhooks and has pushed Te Rauparaha into the cage.
Fire throws an elbow that misses.

Te Rauparaha breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha tries to clinch but Fire moves away
and Fire counters with a series of strikes. Te Rauparaha will be more careful next time no doubt.
Fire scores with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Te Rauparaha gets a clinch.
Fire looking to throw knees to the head but Te Rauparaha is blocking nicely.
Te Rauparaha wants to get back to striking at distance but Fire won't allow it.
Te Rauparaha tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Te Rauparaha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fire.
A bit of stalling here from Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Fire holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Te Rauparaha stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Te Rauparaha tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fire avoids it.
Te Rauparaha misses with a hook to the ribs.
Te Rauparaha tries to land knees in the clinch but Fire avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fire misses with an elbow strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Fire.
Fire tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Te Rauparaha avoids it.
Fire tries to land knees in the clinch but Te Rauparaha avoids the damage to the body.
Te Rauparaha landing knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha managing to block the knees to the body from Fire.
Fire managing to block the knees to the body from Te Rauparaha.
Fire misses with a hook from the clinch.
Fire tries to throw a body punch but Te Rauparaha avoids it by throwing Fire back against the cage.
Te Rauparaha tries to land knees in the clinch but Fire avoids the damage to the body.
Fire misses with a knee to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Fire avoids the elbow strike from Te Rauparaha, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha lands a body shot.
A knee to the head by Fire.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Still in the clinch, Te Rauparaha scores with a nice short uppercut.
Te Rauparaha lands a nice elbow.
Te Rauparaha tries to land knees in the clinch but Fire avoids the damage to the body.
Te Rauparaha unloads a knee to the mid-section. Fire lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The referee calls for Te Rauparaha to work.
Te Rauparaha tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fire avoids it.

Te Rauparaha's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Te Rauparaha gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Fire breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice shot by Fire.
Fire fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tane Te Rauparaha dominated that round.
That's time! Te Rauparaha's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fire clinches.
Fire tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tane Te Rauparaha has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fire avoiding damage as Te Rauparaha throws knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha missing with knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha lands with a short shot to the head.
Te Rauparaha missing with knees to the body.

Te Rauparaha breaks from the clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Fire.
Hammer Fire is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fire swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Te Rauparaha moves into the clinch.
Te Rauparaha is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Fire is keeping busy.
Fire trying to land knees to the body.
Fire misses with a knee to the head.
Fire takes a knee right on the jaw!
Te Rauparaha landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
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!
Te Rauparaha holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fire managing to block the knees to the body from Te Rauparaha.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Te Rauparaha.

Fire breaks the clinch.

Fire rushes Te Rauparaha and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Te Rauparaha creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fire's defenses.
Te Rauparaha pushes Fire back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Te Rauparaha trying to land knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fire is defending well for now.
Te Rauparaha lands an elbow that stopped Fire in his tracks for a moment.

Te Rauparaha's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Te Rauparaha gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fire lands an elbow just above Te Rauparaha 's eye.
Te Rauparaha keeps control of Fire as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fire misses with a knee to the head.
Fire missing with knees to the body.
Fire avoiding damage as Te Rauparaha throws knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha tries to land knees in the clinch but Fire avoids the damage to the body.
Fire on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha lands a body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fire avoiding damage as Te Rauparaha throws knees to the body.
Fire swings wildly with an uppercut but Te Rauparaha uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fire wants to break free but Te Rauparaha has control.
Fire tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Te Rauparaha avoids it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fire.
Fire lands an elbow inside that Te Rauparaha shrugs off.
Nice body punch from Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha tries to land knees in the clinch but Fire avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fire is defending well for now.
Te Rauparaha lands a good knee to the midsection. Fire won't want to take too many of those.
Fire is breathing heavily.
A hook to the body from Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha tries to land knees in the clinch but Fire avoids the damage to the body.
Fire throws an elbow but it misses.
Te Rauparaha tries to land knees in the clinch but Fire avoids the damage to the body.
Fire working hard to break the clinch.
Fire tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Te Rauparaha avoids it.
Te Rauparaha landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fire is defending well for now.
Te Rauparaha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fire.
Te Rauparaha blocks an elbow strike from Fire.
Fire managing to block the knees to the body from Te Rauparaha.
Fire is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Te Rauparaha is defending well for now.
Fire takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Te Rauparaha has Fire pushed against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha stalling the fight.
Te Rauparaha trying to stall but Fire improves his position.
Te Rauparaha missing with knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Te Rauparaha as Fire tries to tie him up.
Fire takes an elbow to the temple.
Te Rauparaha lands a body punch in the clinch.
Fire goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fire throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Te Rauparaha blocks it with crossed arms.
Fire misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Te Rauparaha.
A hook to the body from Te Rauparaha.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tane Te Rauparaha dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Te Rauparaha fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fire missing with a left hand there. Te Rauparaha was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fire lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Te Rauparaha circles away quickly and effectively.
Fire throws a solid leg kick but Te Rauparaha takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Fire.

Te Rauparaha rushes Fire and presses him up against the cage.
Fire looking to stall.
Fire blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knees in the clinch landing for Fire.
Te Rauparaha goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Te Rauparaha landing knees to the body.
Fire lands a body shot in the clinch.
Te Rauparaha creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fire's defenses.
Fire takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fire takes an elbow to the temple.
Fire tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Te Rauparaha avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fire wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Te Rauparaha has him pressed against the cage.
Te Rauparaha tries a knee to the head but Fire blocks it.
Te Rauparaha on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Good body shot from Te Rauparaha.
Fire is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Te Rauparaha is keeping busy.
Te Rauparaha working Fire over with knees to the body.

Te Rauparaha breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Te Rauparaha moves into the clinch.
Te Rauparaha lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fire or not.
Te Rauparaha landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Te Rauparaha taking a breather.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fire trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Te Rauparaha crunches a lovely knee into Fire's ribcage.
Nice elbow from Te Rauparaha.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fire or not.
Te Rauparaha is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha is working Fire over against the cage.

Te Rauparaha escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Te Rauparaha clinches up against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Te Rauparaha.
Te Rauparaha content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Te Rauparaha unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Te Rauparaha managing to block the knees to the body from Fire.
Te Rauparaha unloads a knee to the mid-section. Fire lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha scores a nice knee to the body.
Te Rauparaha utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Te Rauparaha scores a nice knee to the body.
Fire on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fire.

Te Rauparaha pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Te Rauparaha showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fire.
Tane Te Rauparaha is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Te Rauparaha clinches up against the cage.
Te Rauparaha lands a nice knee to the body.
Te Rauparaha controlling the action here for a moment.
Fire prevents a body shot from Te Rauparaha.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Te Rauparaha putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Fire in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha managing to block the knees to the body from Fire.
Te Rauparaha missing with knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fire misses with a punch to the body.
Te Rauparaha tries to land knees in the clinch but Fire avoids the damage to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Te Rauparaha trying to land knees to the body.
Te Rauparaha is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fire can do to turn this around?
Te Rauparaha pushes Fire back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Te Rauparaha's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Te Rauparaha is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hammer Fire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fire swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tane Te Rauparaha showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Te Rauparaha, 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tane Te Rauparaha!