PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ong Bak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rakim The Master (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bak comes to the cage accompanied by One Night In Bangkok. 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!

Bak
vs
The Master

192 cm
30
222 lbs
7 - 14 - 1

193 cm
19
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 7 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ong Bak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rakim The Master!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Wagner Zegers and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The Master clinches up against the cage.
Bak changes levels and goes for a takedown here. The Master fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Bak gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The Master pushes off an throws an elbow but Bak leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Bak gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, The Master regains guard.
The Master keeping moving, preventing Bak from controlling successfully.

Bak gets to his feet. The Master looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The Master misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bak.
The Master fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The Master fails with a takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Bak.
Bak misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Master gets the takedown into side control.
Bak manages to work his way to half guard, despite The Master's best efforts.
Bak tries to get to full guard but The Master has control of the leg.

Bak looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bak wants to improve his position but The Master is controlling well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bak manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Bak uses the cage to get back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Bak.

Bak rushes The Master and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The Master is trying to pull guard but Bak has him pressed against the cage.
Ong Bak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rakim The Master.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A knee to the head by Bak.

It looks like Rakim The Master has been cut.

Bak pulls guard effortlessly.
Bak looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Bak has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but The Master can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bak trying to control the position.
Bak lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for The Master!
Bak punching from mount but The Master doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The Master tries to reverse the position but Bak maintains control.
Bak looking to ground and pound but The Master is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bak throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Bak trying to control but The Master is having none of it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bak controlling from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The Master is trying to escape the mount.
The Master holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Bak tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Bak working the ground and pound effectively.

Bak looking for a guillotine from mount but The Master is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The Master takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Bak throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Bak 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.
Bak looking to control but The Master is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Bak with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The Master really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bak. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bak trying to control but The Master is having none of it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The Master manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Bak trying to control the action but The Master is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ong Bak dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bak moves into range and clinches up with The Master.

Bak's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bak rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but The Master moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The Master misses with a takedown attempt - Bak sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Bak decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The Master tries to roll over but Bak keeps him under control.

Bak is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and The Master defends it well.

The Master looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Still in half guard, Bak seems content to control.
Ong Bak overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bak wants to control but The Master is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bak not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bak not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The Master tries to get to full guard but Bak has control of the leg.
Bak missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bak seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if The Master can do anything to dispel that myth.
The Master trying to control from the bottom.
The Master avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bak.

Bak is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and The Master defends it well.
The Master is refusing to be controlled, as Bak sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bak escapes and gets back to his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Bak scores with a four punch combination!
Ong Bak is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The Master is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Bak misses with the combination.

Bak moves into range and clinches up with The Master.
The Master is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bak pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Bak lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Bak breaks from the clinch.
The Master looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ong Bak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rakim The Master.

Bak closes the distance and pushes The Master back into the cage.
The Master wants to break free but Bak has control.
The Master jumps guard but Bak stands there with The Master around his waist. The Master gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A combination from The Master does no damage.
Bak displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Bak darts in and clinches The Master up against the cage.

Bak decides to pull guard.
Bak is pulling down on The Master's head to control his posture.
Bak is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The Master is refusing to be controlled, as Bak sits in half guard.
Bak works his way into side control.

Bak is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, The Master has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bak looking to punish the body of his opponent here but The Master is avoiding damage well.
Bak trying to control the action but The Master is working from the bottom.
The Master pushes Bak away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bak gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bak just content to control the position.
The Master tries to improve position but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bak postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Bak controlling the position.
Bak creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ong Bak dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

The Master avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bak moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Bak misses with the combination.

The Master takes the fight into the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for The Master.
The Master tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bak smiles and moves away.

Bak closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into The Master's guard.
The Master utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bak throws a big right hand that misses.
Bak in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Master has his foot on Bak's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bak works his way back into a safe position though.
Bak wants to control from the top but The Master keeps moving.
The Master looking for a sweep. Not yet The Master, not yet.
Bak tries to free his leg and advance position but The Master is retaining full guard.
Bak is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that The Master can do to turn this around?
The Master trying to keep a closed guard but Bak is proving a slippery customer.
Bak missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bak throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as The Master works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bak's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Bak thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bak looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bak postures up in The Master's guard and throws a big left but The Master blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bak with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bak passes The Master's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Bak tries to stand but his hand is stuck under The Master.
Bak wants to control but The Master is keeping him busy.

Bak stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bak swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Some wild striking there from Bak.

Bak shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bak was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bak trying to control the position but The Master is working away.
Bak has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The Master tries to buck Bak off but Bak is having none of it.

Bak is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but The Master is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The Master is looking to regain half guard here but Bak keeps moving and retains side control.
Bak trying to control the action but The Master is working from the bottom.

Bak decides to stand back up. Bak steps back and let's The Master get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bak moves in looking to clinch but The Master pushes him off.
Bak tries a head kick but it misses.

The Master has closed the distance and engaged Bak in a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bak drops to a knee looking for a takedown but The Master gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Bak jumps guard.
The Master pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bak is keeping the position for now.
The Master wants to control from the top but Bak keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bak is trying to keep The Master in close.
Rakim The Master has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This has been an exciting period of action!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ong Bak showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bak has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ong Bak!
In his post fight interview, Ong Bak gave a big smile as he said 'What did I tell you before the fight? I said he's a dead man. Was I right? There y'ar'.