PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Reynard Acaleem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Rafael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reynard Acaleem could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jack Rafael's chin.

Acaleem
vs
Rafael

170 cm
27
168 lbs
5 - 3 - 1

181 cm
20
177 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Reynard Acaleem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jack Rafael!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Summer Carpenter and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rafael closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rafael lands in his opponent's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Rafael trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Acaleem wants to stand and escape but Rafael is having none of it.
Acaleem might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rafael loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rafael postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rafael trying to control the position from guard on top but Acaleem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rafael postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rafael trying to control but Acaleem is working from the bottom.
Rafael has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rafael stops Acaleem from standing up.

Rafael is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Acaleem manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Acaleem tries for a takedown but Rafael circles away easily

and Rafael counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Acaleem wants to stand but Rafael is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafael wants to control from the top but Acaleem keeps moving.

Acaleem pushes Rafael off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Acaleem tries for a takedown but Rafael circles away easily

and Rafael counters with a nice double leg into side control. Acaleem won't be happy with that.
Rafael misses with the ground and pound.
Rafael creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Acaleem sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Rafael working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Acaleem wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Rafael trying to control the action but Acaleem is working from the bottom.

Rafael is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Acaleem is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Acaleem is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rafael is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rafael tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Rafael in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Rafael thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Acaleem explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Acaleem misses with a takedown attempt

and Rafael counters with a nice double leg into side control. Acaleem won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reynard Acaleem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The strikes coming from Rafael are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Acaleem prevents Rafael from moving into mount.
Acaleem is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Acaleem is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Rafael lands a decent elbow from side control.
Acaleem dodges the ground and pound from Rafael.
Rafael working the ground and pound but Acaleem is defending the strikes.
Rafael misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Acaleem is pushing Rafael's head away, looking to escape. Rafael manages to hold on to the position though.
Rafael misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Rafael is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Acaleem is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Acaleem tries to escape but Rafael is in control.

Rafael looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Acaleem is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Rafael has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The strikes coming from Rafael are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Acaleem is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Acaleem is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Rafael lands a big shot there that rocks Acaleem but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rafael throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Acaleem because Rafael loaded up on that one.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Acaleem wants to get back to his feet.
Rafael thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Rafael lands with some strikes.
Acaleem is trying to stand up.
Rafael breaks from Acaleem's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Rafael misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Acaleem in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Acaleem wants to get back to his feet.
Rafael landing strikes, looking to finish!

Acaleem is rocked!
Rafael is in full mount looking to finish with strikes. He lands a big shot, followed by another and Acaleem goes limp! The ref jumps in to end the fight - a big win for Rafael!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Jack Rafael!