PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nando Rafael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lawrence Mars (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mars has chosen Avenged Sevenfold's Nightmare as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Rafael
vs
Mars

170 cm
24
145 lbs
9 - 0 - 1

167 cm
25
141 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

[CBK] Legal Highs ↑ 160Q STAMINA + ENERGY
[CBK] The Smashwear Corporation

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 1, fighting out of New York, Nando Rafael!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lawrence Mars!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Steve Montenegro and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mars avoids a punch combination nicely.
A swing and a miss from Mars.
Mars cracks Rafael with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Mars rushes Rafael and presses him up against the cage.

Mars has clasped his hands together around Rafael's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Rafael is trying to improve his position.

Mars is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rafael knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rafael parries the strikes from Mars easily there. Mars is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Rafael to escape.
Mars lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Rafael wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Rafael tries to improve position but can't.
Mars working the strikes but Rafael uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Mars is trying to control the action in half guard but Rafael is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafael keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rafael is trying to stand.
Mars scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Rafael is refusing to be controlled, as Mars sits in half guard.
Mars throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Rafael is defending against the submission attempts here by Mars.
Mars thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rafael's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rafael is trying to control but can't.
Mars looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rafael controlling the position well.
Mars wants to pass to mount but Rafael is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rafael is trying is best to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nando Rafael wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Mars fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rafael looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mars takes a swing at Rafael's ribcage but misses.
Mars just misses with a punch to the body.

Mars clinches with his opponent.
Mars misses with a body punch.
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!
Rafael tries to throw a body punch but Mars avoids it by throwing Rafael back against the cage.
A hook to the body from Rafael.
Mars lands a right hand.
Mars misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rafael tries to work over Mars's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mars tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rafael's elbow.
Rafael working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rafael dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Mars tries to break the clinch but Rafael is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rafael prevents a body shot from Mars.
Mars lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rafael prevents a body shot from Mars.
Mars misses with the head strike.
Mars drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rafael gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mars's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rafael can't find room to land a body shot as Mars controls the action.
Mars lands a hook that snaps the head of Rafael backwards.
Rafael prevents a body shot from Mars.
Rafael is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Rafael's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mars throws an off balance right hand
and Rafael counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mars's knee momentarily.
Rafael tries a head kick but it misses.
Rafael moves out of range of the strikes.
Rafael 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael wants to clinch up but Mars keeps it at a distance.
Mars throws a body punch but Rafael moves out of range.
Rafael ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mars looks to throw the jab but Rafael is out of range.
Rafael displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mars.
Rafael throws a leg kick but Mars moved away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mars. Rafael does a little dance to reset his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rafael avoids the body shot from Mars.
Rafael misses with a low kick as Mars jumps back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mars on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rafael. Rafael obviously looking to wear him down.
Mars shoots in but no luck this time.
Nando Rafael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lawrence Mars.
Mars tests Rafael's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mars just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lawrence Mars dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rafael stuffs the takedown.

Mars has closed the distance and engaged Rafael in a clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Mars just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rafael's brow.
Mars can't find room to land a body shot as Rafael controls the action.
Mars can't find room to land a body shot as Rafael controls the action.
Mars wants to take the fight to the mat but Rafael manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mars is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rafael is defending well.
Nando Rafael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lawrence Mars.
Rafael is pressed up against the cage. Mars 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.
Mars uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rafael.
Mars waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rafael.
Rafael delivers a nice body kick.
Rafael fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Mars throws a lazy right hand but Rafael sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mars chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rafael can pounce on him.
Rafael is looking to land body kicks.

Rafael moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafael lands a body punch.
Rafael misses with a punch to the body.
Mars scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mars misses with the head strike.
Rafael on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rafael gets through Mars's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Rafael fails to land.

Rafael escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mars moves out of range of the body kick from Rafael.
Rafael checks a leg kick.
Rafael misses with a low kick.
Rafael is looking to slow Mars down with leg kicks.
A swing and a miss from Mars.
Rafael slips under a jab from Mars.
Mars throws a hook but Rafael avoids it easily.
Mars checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Mars or perhaps it was just good defense by Rafael which made him look bad.
Mars throws a jab but it's blocked by Rafael.
Rafael tries to work over Mars's front leg with a kick but Mars checks it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rafael looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rafael lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Mars checks the leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rafael throws a low kick but Mars moves out of range easily.
Nando Rafael is winning the standup battle so far.
Rafael throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rafael misses with an uppercut.

Mars instigates a clinch.
Mars lands a body shot.
Rafael struggles to land a body shot inside as Mars controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mars missing with knees to the body.
Mars is trying to break free.
Rafael presses Mars against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Mars tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rafael's elbow.
Rafael lands with a right to the head.
Rafael wants to stall.
Mars missing with knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Mars.
Rafael doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Rafael breaks the clinch.
Rafael swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mars.
Rafael connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rafael throws a leg kick but Mars sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rafael scoring well with a low kick there.
Mars misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rafael.
A jab lands there for Mars.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael scores with a jab to the jaw.
Mars checks a low kick from Rafael.
Rafael slaps away a takedown attempt from Mars, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mars throws a lazy right hand but Rafael sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mars throws a hook but Rafael avoids it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rafael.
Mars fails to land the takedown.
Rafael uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mars has time to react.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mars tries to land a leg kick but Rafael saw it coming and moves away.

Mars darts in and clinches Rafael up against the cage.
Rafael lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nando Rafael 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. This is the final round!

Rafael connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rafael wants to land a leg kick but Mars is out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mars.
Rafael moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rafael is looking to clinch but Mars is avoiding it.

Mars closes the distance and pushes Rafael back into the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rafael.
Rafael cracks Mars with a nice body shot.
Mars is trying to break free.
Still in the clinch, Rafael scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mars with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A short right from Rafael.
Rafael misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mars tries to throw a body punch but Rafael avoids it by throwing Mars back against the cage.
Rafael blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mars lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rafael backwards.
Rafael lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mars backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mars is trying to push Rafael away but Rafael has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rafael fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mars is trying to break the clinch but Rafael is controlling him.
Rafael gets through Mars's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Mars tries a body shot but Rafael blocks it.
Mars blocking some punches.

Rafael breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mars misses with a looping right.
Rafael tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Mars counters with a stiff right hand.
Mars throws a chopping leg kick but Rafael manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Rafael moves into the clinch successfully.
Rafael is pressed up against the cage. Mars 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.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rafael.
Rafael tries to land a leg kick but Mars saw it coming and moves away.
Mars scores with a jab to the body.
Mars avoids a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Rafael.
Nando Rafael is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mars shoots in and drives through. Rafael sprawls well.
Rafael slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rafael throws a series of punches but Mars avoids them all with ease.
Rafael dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mars. That did some damage!
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!
Rafael throws out a loose jab but Mars uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice straight punches there by Rafael. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rafael.
Nice uppercut lands for Mars. That snapped Rafael's head back.
Rafael keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mars tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rafael was well out of range. Poor timing from Mars.
Lawrence Mars seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rafael throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rafael tries to work over Mars's front leg with a kick but Mars checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mars moves out of range of the leg kick from Rafael.
Rafael misses with a low kick.
Mars throws a poor cross that misses
and Rafael counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Mars gets tackled into the cage by Rafael. Rafael maintains the clinch.
Nando Rafael has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rafael tries to throw a body punch but Mars avoids it by throwing Rafael back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rafael.
Rafael scores with a hook to the body.
Rafael lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mars.
Rafael misses with a punch on the inside.
Mars throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Mars is trying to break the clinch but Rafael is controlling him.
Rafael stalls.
Rafael lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mars backwards.
Rafael is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mars is keeping busy.
Mars pushes off an throws an elbow but Rafael leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael stops a takedown attempt from Mars.
Nando Rafael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lawrence Mars.
Mars misses with a punch to the body.
Rafael struggles to land a body shot inside as Mars controls his hands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rafael lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rafael struggles to land a body shot inside as Mars controls his hands.
Mars is looking to take this one to the mat.
Rafael lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mars backwards.
Rafael cracks Mars with a nice body shot.
Mars takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rafael lands with a light punch inside.
Rafael lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rafael lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mars backwards.
Mars's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Mars tries for a takedown but Rafael manages to get underhooks.
Rafael swings wildly with an uppercut but Mars uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Rafael breaks the clinch.
Rafael cracks Mars with a right hand to the side of the head.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rafael.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nando Rafael showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rafael 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nando Rafael!
Nando Rafael made sure to mention his sponsor, [CBK] The Smashwear Corporation in his post fight interview.