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. Lawrence Mars acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Rafael
vs
Mars

170 cm
26
145 lbs
13 - 4 - 1

167 cm
27
141 lbs
18 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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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 13 - 4 - 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 18 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Lawrence Mars!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, David Schapiro and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rafael lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rafael explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Mars staying out of range there.
Mars has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Rafael.
Rafael blocks a leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Rafael misses the target.
Mars is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rafael.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rafael.
Mars throws a shot from downtown. Rafael moves away and avoids it.
Mars listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Horrible takedown by Mars or perhaps it was just good defense by Rafael which made him look bad.
Mars comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Rafael rushes Mars and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rafael tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mars stalls.
Rafael tries to work over Mars's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rafael misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mars misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rafael working aggressively here.
Rafael tries to work over Mars's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A bit of stalling here from Mars.
Rafael misses with some punches.
Mars is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rafael pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mars blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Rafael fails to land.
Rafael lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mars backwards.
Rafael tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A body shot lands from Rafael.
Rafael tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rafael throws a punch but it's blocked by Mars.
Mars is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rafael pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nando Rafael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lawrence Mars.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rafael.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rafael tries a body shot but Mars blocks it.
Rafael scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rafael can't find room to land a body shot as Mars controls the action.
Rafael tries a body shot but Mars blocks it.
Mars blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mars.
Rafael misses with some punches.
Mars tries a body shot but Rafael blocks it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rafael lands a shot to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rafael.
Rafael lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mars.
Mars tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rafael misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rafael misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rafael has a couple of punches blocked by Mars.
Rafael throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mars has Rafael pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Mars pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Rafael tumbling to the mat - Mars dives into Rafael's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Mars throwing strikes from guard but Rafael blocks nicely.
Rafael is pulling down on Mars's head. It's preventing any offense from Mars, at least for the moment.
Rafael is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mars throws a strike but Rafael rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mars wants to sweep here but Rafael controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mars looking to control.
Rafael won't allow Mars to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rafael is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rafael preventing the sweep.
Rafael wants to pass the guard but Mars is keeping the position.
Rafael has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rafael trying to control the position from guard on top but Mars is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nando Rafael wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Rafael throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mars.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nando Rafael dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rafael fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mars.
Rafael uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mars.
Mars swings for the body but Rafael moves out of range.
Mars slips a jab from Rafael.
Rafael misses with a low kick.
Mars swings for the body but Rafael moves out of range.
Rafael lands the left hand.
Rafael stuffs the takedown attempt from Mars. Mars gets slowly back to his feet.
Rafael lands with a straight right. Mars didn't see that one coming.
Rafael walks into a jab.
Rafael keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rafael throws a hook to the side of Mars's head but Mars sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rafael blocks a jab.
Rafael tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mars misses with a wild body shot.
Mars lands with a nice body punch.
Rafael throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mars misses the shot to the body.
Rafael is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rafael uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mars.
Rafael will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rafael is looking to slow Mars down with leg kicks.
Mars keeps the fight on the outside.
A slow jab from Mars misses its intended target.
Nando Rafael is winning the standup battle so far.
Rafael slips a straight right by Mars.
Rafael pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Mars back to the cage. Rafael follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mars scores with a hook to the body. Rafael takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mars changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mars punishes Rafael's body with a nice straight punch.

Rafael clinches up with Mars and pushes him back against the cage.
Rafael misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rafael working aggressively here.
Rafael misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rafael lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mars.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rafael working aggressively here.
Mars leaning against his opponent.
Rafael tries a body shot but Mars blocks it.
Mars blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rafael working aggressively here.
Mars blocking some punches.
Rafael tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rafael has a couple of punches blocked by Mars.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rafael.
Rafael swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rafael misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mars blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rafael blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rafael misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mars blocks an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rafael.
Rafael misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rafael misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Rafael fails to land.
Rafael working aggressively here.
Mars tries for a takedown but Rafael manages to get underhooks.
Nando Rafael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lawrence Mars.
Rafael doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mars blocking some punches.
Rafael fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rafael scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rafael misses with some punches.
Rafael misses with the head strike.
Rafael scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rafael misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael tries to throw a body punch but Mars avoids it by throwing Rafael back against the cage.
Rafael tries to throw a body punch but Mars avoids it by throwing Rafael back against the cage.
Mars misses with some punches.
Mars lands a shot to the body.
Mars prevents a body shot from Rafael.
Mars tries a body shot but Rafael blocks it.
Rafael working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rafael misses with the head strike.
Rafael swings wildly with an uppercut but Mars uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mars lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rafael backwards.
Nando Rafael has scored more points in the clinch so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rafael working aggressively here.
Rafael has a couple of punches blocked by Mars.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Still in the clinch, Rafael scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mars goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nando Rafael 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. This is the final round!

Mars digs a good body shot into Rafael's ribs.
Mars throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rafael moves in looking to clinch but Mars pushes him off.
Mars shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rafael as he jumps to the side.
Mars thows a body shot but no joy.
Rafael tries to clinch but Mars is having none of it.
Rafael scores with a nice right hand.
Mars throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rafael misses with a wild combination.
Rafael tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mars paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rafael fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mars has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rafael pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rafael slips a jab and a cross from Mars.
Mars shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rafael as he jumps to the side.
Rafael jabs at Mars's body.
Mars is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rafael rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafael blocks a jab.
Mars fails to land the takedown.
Nando Rafael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lawrence Mars.
Mars walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rafael.
Mars misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rafael.

Rafael moves into the clinch successfully.
Rafael lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mars backwards.
Rafael lands a left hand.
Rafael tries to work over Mars's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rafael swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mars is leaning against Rafael and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Mars is trying to push Rafael away but Rafael has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rafael goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A frustrated look appears on Mars's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rafael gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mars.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rafael.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mars blocking some punches.
Rafael misses with a punch to the body.
Rafael misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rafael misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rafael scores with a shot to the side of Mars's head.
Mars has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rafael is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rafael blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Rafael.
Mars blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mars blocking some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rafael creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Good body shot from Rafael.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mars blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Mars.
Mars tries to break the clinch but Rafael is controlling the position.
Rafael struggles to land a body shot inside as Mars controls his hands.
Rafael is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rafael has a couple of punches blocked by Mars.
Rafael misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rafael can't find room to land a body shot as Mars controls the action.
Still in the clinch, Rafael scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mars has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rafael after a bit of a struggle.
Rafael fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rafael throws a head punch that misses.
Mars tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Mars fails to land.
Rafael tries a body shot but Mars blocks it.
Lawrence Mars has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nando Rafael is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mars slows down the pace here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mars.
Mars lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mars.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rafael tries to work over Mars's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mars misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mars changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rafael fights it off and pushes away nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nando Rafael showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rafael, 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nando Rafael!
Nando Rafael thanked the fans post fight for their support.