PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Inti Raimi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esoj Aicrag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Raimi
vs
Aicrag

184 cm
37
225 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

185 cm
33
218 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Inti Raimi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Esoj Aicrag!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Seu Braga and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aicrag shoots in for a double leg but Raimi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Inti Raimi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aicrag looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Aicrag dives in for a single leg takedown but Raimi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nice uppercut lands for Raimi. That snapped Aicrag's head back.

Raimi clinches with his opponent.
Raimi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Aicrag up against the cage.
Aicrag is pressed up against the cage. Raimi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Aicrag down to the mat. Aicrag avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nice shot lands for Raimi.

Raimi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Raimi is looking for a kimura but Aicrag is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Raimi to get the leverage.
Aicrag is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Raimi scores with a couple of nice shots.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Raimi connects with a nice short shot to Aicrag's temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Raimi wants to control but Aicrag is keeping him busy.
Aicrag has hold of Raimi's hands but Raimi slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Raimi throwing shots but Aicrag is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Raimi lands a nice short elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Raimi seems to be looking for submissions.
Raimi wants to free his trapped foot but Aicrag is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Raimi not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Raimi lands a nice short elbow.

Raimi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Aicrag doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Raimi.
Aicrag has hold of Raimi's hands but Raimi slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aicrag wants to control but Raimi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Raimi working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Raimi working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aicrag is trying to control but can't.
Raimi working Aicrag over with strikes.

Raimi is working for a kimura but Aicrag is defending it quite comfortably.
Raimi 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.
Raimi working Aicrag over with strikes.

Aicrag is defending against the submission attempts here by Raimi.
Aicrag is not content to let Raimi control the position.

Raimi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raimi is thwarting Aicrag's attempts to control the position.

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

Raimi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Aicrag doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Raimi.

Raimi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Aicrag is just riding it out for now. Raimi eventually gives up the hold.
Raimi scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Raimi working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Raimi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Nice strikes from Raimi there.
Raimi is nestled in close to Aicrag, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Raimi is trying to work for a kimura but Aicrag is defending well.

Raimi wants to work for an arm triangle but Aicrag is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aicrag makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aicrag.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Inti Raimi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Raimi throws a one two combo.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Raimi enables Aicrag to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Raimi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Raimi trying to keep a closed guard but Aicrag is proving a slippery customer.

Raimi pushes Aicrag off and scrambles back to his feet.

Raimi drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Raimi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aicrag can do to turn this around?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raimi throwing strikes but missing.
Raimi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Aicrag is breathing heavily.

Aicrag working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Raimi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Raimi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Raimi is working Aicrag over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Raimi trying to control the position from guard on top but Aicrag is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aicrag has his foot on Raimi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Raimi works his way back into a safe position though.
Raimi lands a couple of digs.
Raimi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Raimi 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.
Aicrag preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Raimi with a nice head shot there.
Raimi connects with a couple of short punches.
Raimi trying to control but Aicrag is working from the bottom.
Raimi lands a couple of elbows.
Aicrag preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Aicrag preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raimi trying to control the position from guard on top but Aicrag is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Aicrag looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Raimi postures up and lands a big shot to Aicrag's brow.
Inti Raimi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Raimi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Raimi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Aicrag is rocked!
Raimi scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Aicrag is still in real trouble! Can Raimi finish him?
Raimi postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Aicrag covers up, he's hurt! Raimi keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Raimi and the ref steps in to end the fight! Raimi can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Inti Raimi!
The defeated Esoj Aicrag had this to say: 'I would like to thank all the fans for being here tonight! I'm sorry that I lost even thought I knew that I possessed the ability to win. I have learnt much from my opponent in this match and I promise to come back a stronger fighter, and I hope to be able to fight you again in the near future!'.