PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Raziq (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonny Okereke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Raziq
vs
Okereke

185 cm
27
175 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

180 cm
26
175 lbs
4 - 11 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abdul Raziq!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jonny Okereke!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Eddie Farnsworth and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Okereke gets caught napping as Raziq dives in and scores a takedown. Okereke manages to retain guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Okereke working a defensive guard here.
Okereke has a closed guard, preventing Raziq from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Okereke is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Raziq wanted to stand there but Okereke had control of the position.
Okereke working a defensive guard here.

Jonny Okereke has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Raziq dives in and grabs Okereke's left leg, looking for a takedown. Okereke pushes down on Raziq's head and hops out.
Raziq tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Okereke swivels and escapes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Raziq.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Raziq. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raziq fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raziq throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Okereke's waist but Okereke gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Raziq off to one side.
Okereke wants to clinch.

Okereke manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Raziq on his heels. He'll look to pass Raziq's guard now, I'm sure.
Okereke won't allow Raziq to get back to his feet.
Raziq trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Okereke decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Okereke tries to clinch up.
Raziq tries to score a power double leg takedown but Okereke sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Raziq somewhat.
Okereke changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Raziq tries to avoid it but Okereke manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Raziq to the ground. Raziq escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Raziq will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Raziq shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Raziq closes this distance looking for a takedown but Okereke circles away.

Raziq gets caught flat footed, as Okereke shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Raziq keeping moving, preventing Okereke from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jonny Okereke has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Horrible takedown by Raziq or perhaps it was just good defense by Okereke which made him look bad.
Okereke misses with a head kick.
Okereke shoots in looking for a takedown. Raziq tries to sprawl out of it but Okereke keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Raziq manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Okereke tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A punch combination from Okereke misses.
Okereke keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice takedown defense from Okereke. No joy for Raziq on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okereke tries to clinch but Raziq moves out of range.
Raziq keeps the fight on the outside.
Okereke keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Horrible takedown by Raziq or perhaps it was just good defense by Okereke which made him look bad.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Okereke.

Okereke decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Okereke leaves Raziq with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Okereke throws out a leg kick but Raziq moves out of range and Okereke only half commits.
Okereke tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Raziq fails with the takedown.
Raziq looks for a takedown but Okereke sprawls well.

Okereke shoots in and gets a takedown into Raziq's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raziq can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Okereke controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Okereke gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Okereke is looking to clinch but Raziq is avoiding it.
Okereke defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Raziq.
Raziq shoots for a takedown but Okereke saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Okereke keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Raziq is defended easily by Okereke.
Raziq is breathing heavily.
Nice sprawl there from Raziq as Okereke shoots in.
Raziq shoots for a double leg takedown but Okereke sprawls well. He's pushed Raziq's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Okereke shoots in and gets a takedown into Raziq's guard.
Raziq keeping moving, preventing Okereke from controlling successfully.
Raziq knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Okereke on the ground.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Okereke controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Raziq keeping moving, preventing Okereke from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonny Okereke dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Okereke looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Raziq is fending him off so far but Okereke persists. Nope, Raziq circles away and we're back to standing.
Horrible takedown by Raziq or perhaps it was just good defense by Okereke which made him look bad.
Abdul Raziq is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Raziq slaps away a takedown attempt from Okereke, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Raziq shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Okereke pinned against the cage. Okereke gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Okereke throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Raziq's waist but Raziq gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Okereke off to one side.
Abdul Raziq has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Okereke.
Okereke slaps away a takedown attempt from Raziq, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Raziq shoots in but no luck this time.
Okereke tries to close the distance and clinch up but Raziq swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Okereke changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Raziq tries to avoid it but Okereke manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Raziq to the ground. Raziq escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Raziq shoots in but Okereke avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice sprawl there from Okereke as Raziq shoots in.
Raziq fails with a takedown attempt.
Okereke throws a series of punches but Raziq moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raziq shoots in but Okereke avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Okereke stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Raziq misses with a takedown attempt - Okereke sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Raziq tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Okereke swivels and escapes.
Okereke throws a body kick that misses.
Raziq will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Okereke leaves Raziq with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Okereke throws a low kick but Raziq moves out of range easily.
Okereke throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Raziq's waist but Raziq gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Okereke off to one side.
Raziq has a takedown stuffed.

Okereke shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Okereke was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Okereke moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Raziq tries to escape but Okereke is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Okereke politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Okereke prefers to stall for the moment though.
Okereke prevents Raziq from escaping the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
You can see the frustration on Raziq's face as Okereke controls the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Raziq tries to escape but Okereke is in control.
Okereke controlling from side mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jonny Okereke was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Okereke drives through with a takedown into guard.

Okereke stands and steps away. Raziq gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Raziq changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Okereke tries to avoid it but Raziq manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Okereke to the ground. Okereke escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Okereke leaves Raziq with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Okereke changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Raziq tries to avoid it but Okereke manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Raziq to the ground. Raziq escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Horrible takedown by Raziq or perhaps it was just good defense by Okereke which made him look bad.
Jonny Okereke seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Okereke shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Raziq on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Raziq tries to get out of the position.
Okereke takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Okereke stands up out of the half guard.
Raziq fails with the takedown.
Raziq shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Okereke sprawls well. Okereke wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Raziq gets slowly back to his feet.
Okereke keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Okereke throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Raziq's waist but Raziq gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Okereke off to one side.
Okereke fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Okereke looks to land a combination but Raziq avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raziq shoots for a double leg takedown but Okereke sprawls well. He's pushed Raziq's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Okereke is looking to clinch but Raziq is avoiding it.
Raziq will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Raziq shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Okereke as he avoids it easily.
Raziq fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Okereke avoids it really well and circles away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raziq stuffs the takedown.
Raziq shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Okereke sprawls well. Okereke wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Raziq gets slowly back to his feet.

Okereke closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Raziq wants to get back to his feet.
Okereke tries to move to mount but Raziq blocks the move with his legs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Okereke staying calm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonny Okereke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Raziq throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Okereke's waist but Okereke gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Raziq off to one side.
Okereke shoots for a double leg takedown but Raziq sprawls well. He's pushed Okereke's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Okereke keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Okereke doesn't manage to clinch there - Raziq circles away.

Okereke feints and as Raziq raises his hands in defense, Okereke changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Raziq preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Okereke looking to pass the guard.

Okereke gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Okereke defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Raziq.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Raziq. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Raziq gets caught napping as Okereke dives in and scores a takedown. Raziq manages to retain guard.
Raziq wants to stand but Okereke is controlling the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Okereke gets to his feet - Raziq follows without any prompting.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okereke leaves Raziq with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Raziq showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Okereke.
Raziq stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Raziq wants it to stay on the feet.
Raziq fails to land the takedown.

Raziq looking to score a takedown here. Okereke is defending well but Raziq drives through and ends up in Okereke's guard.
Raziq tries to stand but Okereke is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okereke pulls Raziq in close to his closed guard and prevents Raziq from doing any damage or advancing position.
Raziq wanted to stand there but Okereke had control of the position.
Okereke pulls Raziq in close to his closed guard and prevents Raziq from doing any damage or advancing position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Abdul Raziq wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Okereke swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Okereke stuffs the takedown.
Raziq shoots in but Okereke avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raziq shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Okereke closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Okereke is looking to take a break and control but Raziq is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Okereke stands up.
Raziq shoots in for a takedown but Okereke shows good takedown defense.
Raziq shoots in looking for a takedown. Okereke tries to sprawl out of it but Raziq keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Okereke manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Okereke shoots for a takedown but Raziq saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Raziq shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Okereke as he avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Okereke is defended easily by Raziq.
Raziq shoots in for a takedown but Okereke shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Raziq shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Okereke pinned against the cage. Okereke gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Raziq displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Okereke.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Okereke stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Okereke wants it to stay on the feet.
Okereke shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Raziq sprawls well. Raziq wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Okereke gets slowly back to his feet.
Raziq fails with a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Okereke shoots in looking for a takedown but Raziq manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Okereke's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Okereke shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Raziq eats them both and turns towards Okereke to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Abdul Raziq has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Okereke tries to clinch but Raziq moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonny Okereke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Okereke has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonny Okereke!