PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brian Backscratcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stelios Raptis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Raptis has chosen Deviser - Threnody as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Backscratcher
vs
Raptis

190 cm
22
190 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

180 cm
27
191 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid 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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Brian Backscratcher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Stelios Raptis!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Backscratcher drops Raptis with a beautiful combination! Raptis stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Backscratcher is looking for the KO!

It looks like Stelios Raptis has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Backscratcher rushes Raptis and presses him up against the cage.

Backscratcher's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Backscratcher throws a nice looking combination but Raptis bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Raptis.

Raptis is trying to get an arm triangle but Backscratcher is defending well.
The ground and pound from Raptis seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Raptis trying to control the action but Backscratcher is working from the bottom.
Raptis tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raptis tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Raptis has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Backscratcher manages to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raptis is looking to advance position but Backscratcher won't allow it.

Raptis is working for a kimura but Backscratcher is defending it quite comfortably.

Raptis is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raptis throws a strike but Backscratcher avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Raptis wants to pass the guard but Backscratcher is keeping the position.
Raptis throwing strikes from guard but Backscratcher blocks nicely.
Raptis tries to free his leg and advance position but Backscratcher is retaining full guard.
Raptis trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raptis trying to control but Backscratcher is working from the bottom.
Backscratcher controlling the position.
Backscratcher avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Backscratcher knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Raptis on the ground.
Raptis trying to control but Backscratcher is working from the bottom.
Raptis has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Raptis throws a strike but Backscratcher rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Raptis had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Backscratcher defends it easily.

Raptis is looking for a triangle but Backscratcher pushes his legs off easily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Backscratcher's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backscratcher throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Raptis looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Backscratcher won't allow Raptis to sweep him here.

Raptis had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Backscratcher defends it easily.

Raptis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Raptis looks winded!
Backscratcher trying to control the position from guard on top but Raptis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Raptis is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Backscratcher is aware though and is defending well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Backscratcher scoring with punches to the head and body.
Backscratcher content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Raptis is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Backscratcher landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brian Backscratcher will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Stelios Raptis's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sloppy strikes from Backscratcher. Those never looked like landing.
Backscratcher stalks Raptis and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Raptis's face. Raptis staggers backwards, shaken.

Backscratcher lands a left and a right that send Raptis crashing to the mat, dazed. Backscratcher thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Raptis is rocked!
Brian Backscratcher is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Raptis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Backscratcher pinned against the cage. Backscratcher gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Raptis is still on wobbly legs! Can Backscratcher finish him?
Raptis has a takedown stuffed.
Backscratcher connects with a stiff jab that staggers Raptis - oh and he follows up with a huge uppercut that knocks him out cold! Man, that was brutal!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Brian Backscratcher!
A relieved looking Brian Backscratcher thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.