PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Erik Desmond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ezekel Rage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Desmond comes to the cage accompanied by Never Miss a Beat. Rage has chosen Sky is the Limit as his entrance music. Ezekel Rage told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Desmond
vs
Rage

200 cm
27
222 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

188 cm
27
215 lbs
10 - 4 - 2

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Erik Desmond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 2, fighting out of New York, Ezekel Rage!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Columbo Gatti and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Desmond is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rage.
Desmond throws the kick towards the body but Rage avoids it.
Desmond takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rage throws a jab but it's blocked by Desmond.
Rage throws a right hand that Desmond ducks under and follows up with a left that Desmond also avoids with ease.
Desmond throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rage's waist but Rage gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Desmond off to one side.
Rage stuffs the takedown attempt from Desmond. Desmond gets slowly back to his feet.
Rage lands a jab to the head.
Rage has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Desmond finds it's way round the side to connect with Rage's head.
Rage cracks a nice hook into Desmond's ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rage swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Desmond thows a left - swing and a miss!
Desmond takes a jab right on the kisser.
Desmond tries to move into range but Rage moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Desmond needs to keep his hands up - Rage had a free shot at his head there.
Rage misses with a wild body shot.
Rage swings for the body but Desmond moves out of range.
Desmond throws a series of punches but Rage avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Desmond ducks under a wild hook from Rage.
Ezekel Rage is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rage scores with a jab to the body.
Desmond ducks right into an uppercut from Rage.
Rage throws a series of strikes that have Desmond backpedaling.
Rage stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rage wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Desmond. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Desmond fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rage, pushing him back against the cage.
Rage wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Desmond taking a breather.
Desmond tries to pull guard but Rage forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Rage misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rage tries a body shot but Desmond blocks it.
Desmond pushes Rage back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Desmond tries to pull guard but Rage forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Rage prevents a takedown attempt there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Desmond drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rage gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rage tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Desmond doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rage goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rage struggles to land a body shot inside as Desmond controls his hands.
Desmond fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Desmond is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rage to keep the fight standing.
Rage throws a head punch that misses.
Desmond is working for takedown but Rage is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rage wants to break the clinch but can't.
Desmond is working for takedown but Rage is calmly controlling the position for now.
Desmond wants to take the fight to the mat but Rage manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Desmond tries to pull guard but Rage won't allow it.
Desmond prevents a body shot from Rage.
Desmond lands a right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rage.
Desmond blocks a body shot from Rage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Desmond looking to score a takedown here. Rage is defending well but Desmond drives through and ends up in Rage's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Desmond tries to free his leg and advance position but Rage is retaining full guard.
Rage looking to control.
Desmond passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Desmond tries to move into full mount but can't pass Rage's legs.

Desmond is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rage is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rage gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Desmond moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Rage has worked his arm free - good work by Rage!

Desmond is trying to get an arm triangle but Rage is defending well.
Rage is not content to let Desmond control the position.

Desmond wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rage, who protects the arm well.
Desmond has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Rage!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Desmond can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rage is looking to escape.
Rage is looking to improve his position but Desmond isn't that keen on the idea.
Rage prevents Desmond from taking his back.
Desmond lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Desmond moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Rage has worked his arm free - good work by Rage!

Desmond tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Desmond goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rage rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Desmond's guard! Nice work there by Rage!
Desmond will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Desmond working a defensive guard but Rage passes into half guard.
Desmond makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Desmond.

Desmond working for submissions but it's allowed Rage to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Desmond gets back to full guard.

Rage avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Desmond working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Desmond dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Desmond throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rage checks a low kick from Desmond.
Rage cracks Desmond with an open hand slap.
Desmond defending well as Rage loads up on a big left hand.
Desmond fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rage on the side of the head.
Rage throws a right and a left that both miss.
Desmond looks for the body kick but Rage saw that one coming.
Rage thuds a left hand into Desmond's body.
Rage lands with a shot to the body.
Rage misses with a looping left.
Desmond lands a right hook to the body.
Rage misses with a looping left.
Desmond needs to keep his hands up - Rage had a free shot at his head there.
Ezekel Rage seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Desmond shoots for a takedown but Rage saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rage takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Ezekel Rage has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rage swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Desmond.
Rage waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Desmond.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rage. Desmond does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice straight punches there by Rage. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rage.
Rage takes a swing at Desmond's ribcage but misses.
Desmond tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rage sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Desmond somewhat.
The crowd cheers as Rage lands an impressive looking overhand right. Desmond doesn't seem phased though.
Desmond showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rage.
Good shot there by Rage.
Rage misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Desmond.
Desmond tries to land a front kick but Rage steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Desmond on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Desmond.
Rage works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rage lands a head shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Desmond pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Desmond throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rage scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rage misses with a hook.
Rage dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rage throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Desmond sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rage blocks a head kick by Desmond.
Desmond takes one to the chin there.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Desmond.
Rage feints a jab promting Desmond to slip. Rage then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Desmond slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Desmond throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rage's waist but Rage gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Desmond off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Desmond. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Desmond slips under a jab.
Rage thows a left - swing and a miss!
Desmond lands with a shot to the body.
Desmond lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rage circles away quickly and effectively.
Desmond takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rage connects with a nice looking jab.
Desmond on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Desmond misses with a wild combination.
Rage ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rage tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Desmond was well out of range. Poor timing from Rage.
Desmond on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Desmond misses with a hook. Rage ducked under it nicely.
Rage checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Desmond takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rage scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Desmond misses with a jab to the body
and Rage connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Desmond lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rage backs up against the cage.
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!
Desmond fails with a takedown attempt.
Rage throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Desmond on the side of the head.
Desmond uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rage.
Desmond throws a hook but Rage blocks it.
Desmond shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Desmond moves forwards but Rage connects with a nice, crisp jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rage uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Desmond.
Rage scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rage slaps away a takedown attempt from Desmond, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Desmond looks to land a left hand but Rage moved out of range nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ezekel Rage comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rage has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ezekel Rage!
Ezekel Rage decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.