PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raekwon The Chef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Ross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The Chef comes to the cage accompanied by C.R.E.A.M. - Wu Tang Clan. The crowd seem to be enjoying Ross's choice of entrance music: Neck of the Woods. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

The Chef
vs
Ross

172 cm
25
163 lbs
15 - 1 - 0

169 cm
25
163 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Backyard Fighting
Ice Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Raekwon The Chef!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Ross!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Atkins and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ross punishes The Chef's body with a nice straight punch.
The Chef getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ross. The Chef shrugs it off though.
The Chef ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ross moves away.
The Chef thuds a left hand into Ross's body.
The Chef tries to clinch up.
The crowd cheers as Ross lands an impressive looking overhand right. The Chef doesn't seem phased though.
The Chef throws a half hearted mid kick.
The Chef takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ross shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ross throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ross blocks a jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ross.
Ross misses with a low kick.

The Chef closes the distance and clinches.
Ross is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables The Chef to keep the fight standing.
A body shot lands from The Chef.
A shot in the inside from The Chef.
A short left from The Chef.
The Chef is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from The Chef.
A short right from The Chef on the inside.
The Chef blocks a body shot from Ross.
Ross misses with a punch on the inside.
The Chef stalling the fight.
The Chef is trying to break the clinch but Ross has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Ross fails to land.
The Chef is defending well against a takedown attempt.
The Chef lands with a left to the head.

Ross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

The Chef rushes Ross and presses him up against the cage.
Ross makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The Chef lands a nice uppercut.

Ross breaks the clinch.
The Chef checks a low kick from Ross.
Good shot there by The Chef.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross digs a good body shot into The Chef's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The Chef rushes Ross and presses him up against the cage.
Ross is trying to push The Chef away but The Chef has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
The Chef is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
The Chef lands a hook that snaps the head of Ross backwards.
A short uppercut from The Chef.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ross as The Chef tries to tie him up.
The Chef lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ross backwards.
The Chef working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The Chef has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The Chef has Ross pushed against the cage.
Ross fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Raekwon The Chef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Ross.
Ross misses with a punch to the body.
Ross misses with a punch to the body.
Ross throws a head punch that misses.
Ross has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. The Chef seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Ross can turn it around.
Ross has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as The Chef takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The Chef seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Still in the clinch, The Chef scores with a nice short uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for The Chef.
A right handed body shot lands from Ross.
Ross struggles to land a body shot inside as The Chef controls his hands.
Ross blocks an uppercut.
The Chef fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ross slows down the pace here.

Ross pulls The Chef into guard.
The Chef working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The Chef wants to control from the top but Ross keeps moving.
The Chef loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Chef advances position into side control!
The Chef throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ross sneaks back into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The Chef lands with a punch from half guard.
The Chef with the ground and pound but Ross uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
The Chef trying to control the position from guard on top but Ross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The Chef controls from within his opponent's guard.

Ross working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. The Chef doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. The Chef manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The Chef trying to control the position from guard on top but Ross is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The Chef's corner calls for a 1-2. The Chef obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The Chef connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The Chef fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The Chef takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ross throws a front kick that sends The Chef stumbling back into the cage.
Ross throws a leg kick which misses The Chef's front leg but catches the back leg as The Chef tries to avoid it.
The Chef stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ross.

Ross shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ross was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Ross creates some space and throws a big elbow, but The Chef sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The Chef is looking to regain half guard here but Ross keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The Chef gets back to half guard.
Ross controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross is looking to stall here but The Chef recovers full guard.
The Chef is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The Chef manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ross manages to get himself to full guard.
The Chef scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ross wants to sweep here but The Chef controlling him for the moment.

Ross is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and The Chef defends well.
Ross looking to hit a scissor sweep but The Chef is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Chef pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ross is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ross is trying to keep The Chef in close.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells The Chef's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The Chef looking to pass the guard.
Ross is trying to control the position but The Chef postures up.
Ross can't keep his opponent in guard - The Chef advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ross makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The Chef trying to control but Ross is working from the bottom.
We've been hearing that The Chef has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross controls The Chef momentarily but The Chef frees himself.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ross holds on and takes a little breather.
Ross trying to keep a closed guard but The Chef is proving a slippery customer.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The Chef chips away with some ground and pound.
Ross manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. The Chef manages to get himself to full guard.
The Chef trying to control the position.
The Chef lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ross!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Chef working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Ross manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The Chef wants to pass the guard but Ross is defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ross has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. The Chef is working away from the top position though.
The Chef is trying to control the action in half guard but Ross is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The Chef working Ross over with strikes.
The Chef landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ross slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The Chef won't allow Ross to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mike Ross will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The Chef loads up on a big right hand but Ross slips the punch.
The Chef getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A jab from The Chef does it's job there.
A jab from The Chef finds it's way through Ross's defenses.
Ross on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by The Chef. The Chef obviously looking to wear him down.
The Chef throws out a leg kick but Ross moves out of range and The Chef only half commits.
Ross is looking to chop away at The Chef's legs.

The Chef has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ross blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ross stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ross tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. The Chef just stands there and leans against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Ross fails to land.
Ross goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ross looking to slow down the pace here.

The Chef breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The Chef takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ross scoring well with a low kick there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross throws a body punch but The Chef moves out of range.
The Chef misses with a body shot.
Ross takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The Chef tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ross swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Raekwon The Chef is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ross.
Ross tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and The Chef is able to avoid easily.
Ross scoring well with a low kick there.
The Chef misses with an uppercut.

The Chef fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ross, pushing him back against the cage.
Ross is trying to pull guard but The Chef has him pressed against the cage.
The Chef goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ross lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ross prevents The Chef from breaking the clinch.
Ross misses with a hook from the clinch.

The Chef breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ross misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Chef jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A punch combination from Ross misses.
Ross pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The Chef looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ross drives through with a takedown into guard.
The Chef looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The Chef manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ross manages to get himself to full guard.
The Chef 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 Chef wants to control from the top but Ross keeps moving.
The Chef throwing strikes from guard but Ross blocks nicely.
The Chef missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Chef throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ross works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The Chef missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ross looking to control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The Chef is fighting to break Ross's control of his arms but Ross is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mike Ross was stalling too much, according to the referee.
The Chef stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and The Chef wants it to stay on the feet.
Raekwon The Chef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Ross.
A cross from The Chef lands.
The Chef misses with a looping left.
Ross takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ross looks to land a right hand but The Chef moved out of range.
The Chef connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The Chef connects with a looping right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from The Chef.
Ross throws a leg kick but The Chef sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ross on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The Chef chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ross can pounce on him.
Ross throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
The Chef is looking to slow Ross down with leg kicks.
Ross swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The Chef misses with a body kick.
Ross scores with a push kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Ross.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ross.
Raekwon The Chef is winning the standup battle so far.
Ross takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The Chef throws a poor cross that misses

so Ross counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ross wants to control from the top but The Chef keeps moving.
The Chef trying to keep a closed guard but Ross is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Raekwon The Chef did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
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.

Both fighters circling a little - The Chef finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Ross slips under a jab.
Ross misses with a head kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ross checks a leg kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ross.
The Chef manages to get back to half guard.
The Chef wants to control but Ross is keeping busy.
Ross with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The Chef trying to get back to full guard but Ross takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Ross working the ground and pound effectively.
Mike Ross has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Ross lands with some vicious ground and pound - can The Chef hang on?
The Chef is in all sorts of trouble here.
Ross trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The Chef takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The Chef is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
The Chef is working to get back to half guard.
Ross controlling his opponent.
The Chef can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross wants to control the pace but The Chef is squirming around nicely.
Ross raining down shots from the mount!
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!
The Chef tries to lock up and control but Ross gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The Chef keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The Chef is squirming around, avoiding Ross's attempts to control the action.
The Chef sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for The Chef!
The Chef is trying desperately to improve position.
Ross is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The Chef is in all sorts of trouble here.
The Chef is working hard here to advance position.
Ross postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. The Chef looks a forlorn figure.
Ross postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. The Chef looks a forlorn figure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Chef is squirming around, avoiding Ross's attempts to control the action.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ross looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The Chef tries to hold on but Ross postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ross with a couple of short strikes.
Ross with a couple of short strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Ross dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ross shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts The Chef as he jumps to the side.
Ross turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The Chef looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ross takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ross takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The Chef pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The Chef misses the jab.
The Chef misses with a straight left.
Ross bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ross fakes high and swings low for a body shot but The Chef manages to avoid it.
The Chef takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The Chef avoids the head kick by Ross.
The Chef works Ross's body with a nice hook.
Nice uppercut lands for Ross. That snapped The Chef's head back.
Ross keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from The Chef.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross fails with a takedown attempt.
A solid leg kick lands there for The Chef.
Ross is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
The Chef fails with an attempt to clinch.
The Chef is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ross moves out of range of the strikes.
The Chef bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ross's head.
Good shot there by Ross.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ross, as that shot connected.
The Chef swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The Chef misses with a leg kick.
Ross steps to the side to avoid the strikes from The Chef.
Ross moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The Chef checks the leg kick nicely there.
A slapping leg kick lands for The Chef.
Ross shoots in looking for a takedown. The Chef tries to sprawl out of it but Ross keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. The Chef manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Raekwon The Chef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Ross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Chef checks a leg kick.
The Chef looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ross takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ross throws a good cross that connects.
The Chef moves out of range of the body kick.
Ross jabs The Chef to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The Chef misses with an uppercut.
The Chef throws a nice looking combination but Ross bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The Chef throws a solid leg kick but Ross takes the impact on his shin and smiles at The Chef.

The Chef gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A frustrated look appears on The Chef's face as he tries to break the clinch.

The Chef breaks from the clinch.
The Chef fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ross.
The Chef feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ross's calf.
The Chef throws a body punch but Ross moves out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ross. That's going to slow The Chef down.
The Chef on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
An inside leg kick from The Chef misses.
No joy there for The Chef, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ross with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ross with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ross cracks the inside of The Chef's front leg.
Ross connects with a solid leg kick.
The Chef throws a shot to the body.
The Chef wants to clinch.
The Chef with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ross to score with a decent uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Chef tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ross paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A punch lands to the side of Ross 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ross finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
The Chef looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ross ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The Chef throws a body punch but Ross moves out of range.
Ross misses with a jab, cross combination.
The Chef chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ross can pounce on him.
The Chef moves out of range as Ross throws a body kick.
Ross shoots in for a double leg but The Chef sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ross moves out of range of the strikes.
The Chef on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ross. Ross obviously looking to wear him down.
That kick from Ross tenderised The Chef's leg. The Chef is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ross on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by The Chef. The Chef obviously looking to wear him down.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Raekwon The Chef.
I think The Chef has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 47:49
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 47:48
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mike Ross!
Mike Ross is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Mike Ross thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.