PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Willie Bader (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Rakhmanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rakhmanov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Russian national anthem. 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.

Bader
vs
Rakhmanov

176 cm
35
147 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

179 cm
29
170 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Willie Bader!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Mikhail Rakhmanov!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Rakhmanov misses.
Bader's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Bader duly obliges.

It looks like Mikhail Rakhmanov has been cut.
Rakhmanov fails to land with a series of punches.
Rakhmanov moves out of range of the body kick.
Rakhmanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bader moves away.
Rakhmanov scores with a sloppy right hand. Bader should have avoided that one.
Bader misses with a few strikes there.
Bader uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rakhmanov.
Bader tries to bum rush Rakhmanov with a series of wild strikes but Rakhmanov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bader throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rakhmanov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bader circles away quickly and effectively.
A cross from Rakhmanov lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bader goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bader throws the kick towards the body but Rakhmanov avoids it.
Bader catches Rakhmanov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rakhmanov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Bader keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rakhmanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmanov just misses with a punch to the body.
Rakhmanov moves into range and connects with a jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Rakhmanov misses the target.
Bader throws a right hand that Rakhmanov ducks under and follows up with a left that Rakhmanov also avoids with ease.
Rakhmanov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Bader defends it well.
Bader lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Rakhmanov scores with a hook to the body. Bader takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rakhmanov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bader has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bader and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Bader.
Bader throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Bader looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Bader slips a straight right by Rakhmanov.
A jab from Rakhmanov misses.
Rakhmanov looks to land a left hand but Bader moved out of range nicely.
Bader seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rakhmanov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bader has time to react.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rakhmanov lands with a kick to the temple. Bader shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Bader back to the cage. Rakhmanov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Bader lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rakhmanov circles away quickly and effectively.
Bader swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rakhmanov throws an overhand right that lands on Bader's shoulder, as Bader tries to avoid the shot.
Rakhmanov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rakhmanov misses with a kick to the body.
Bader appears to be looking for a big counter.
Sloppy strikes from Bader. Those never looked like landing.
Bader misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rakhmanov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Rakhmanov scores with a nice strike.
Bader fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bader scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rakhmanov doesn't seem bothered though.
Rakhmanov throws a low kick, looking for Bader's leg but Bader calmly moves out of range.
Bader looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Bader throws the left hand but Rakhmanov avoids the punch easily.
Rakhmanov takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bader misses with a body kick.
Rakhmanov looks to score with a jab to the body but Bader is just out of range.
Bader throws a big counter combination but Rakhmanov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bader fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bader checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bader lands a front kick.
Bader lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rakhmanov circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice defenses there by Bader.
A solid body kick from Bader.
Rakhmanov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Rakhmanov missing with a left hand there. Bader was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rakhmanov looks to throw the jab but Bader is out of range.
Rakhmanov feints and then cracks Bader's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bader down.
Rakhmanov looks to throw the jab but Bader is out of range.
Bader misses with a few strikes there.
Bader throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bader, right into the meat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bader throws a series of punches but Rakhmanov moves out of range.
A punch combination from Bader misses.
Rakhmanov with the counter takedown but Bader avoids it easily.
Rakhmanov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bader on the side of the head.
Bader lands with a kick to the ribs.
Jab by Bader.
Bader looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Bader looks for the body kick but Rakhmanov saw that one coming.
Bader gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bader tries to land a front kick but Rakhmanov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bader throws a jab but it's blocked by Rakhmanov.
Bader avoids a kick to the body.
As Rakhmanov backs away, Bader returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Rakhmanov sizes up Bader with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Willie Bader will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Rakhmanov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rakhmanov looks to throw the jab but Bader is out of range.
Rakhmanov looks to land a right hand but Bader moved out of range.
Rakhmanov looks to throw the jab but Bader is out of range.
Rakhmanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bader.
A thudding body kick lands there by Bader!
Bader is looking to clinch but Rakhmanov is avoiding it.
Rakhmanov throws a lazy uppercut
and Bader counters with a nice leg kick.
Bader ducks under a wild hook from Rakhmanov.
Willie Bader is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bader fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rakhmanov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rakhmanov misses with a straight right.
Bader throws a body kick that misses.
Rakhmanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rakhmanov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Bader dodges the punch combination from Rakhmanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmanov misses with an uppercut
and Bader counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rakhmanov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Bader.
Bader swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bader takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bader tries to bum rush Rakhmanov with a series of wild strikes but Rakhmanov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bader looks to land a body kick but Rakhmanov moved away.
Rakhmanov misses with an uppercut.
As Rakhmanov looks to move away, Bader throws a big counter combo bu Rakhmanov just gets out of the way.
Bader moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bader avoids the body shot from Rakhmanov.
Willie Bader is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice defenses there by Bader.
Bader throws a combination that misses

and Rakhmanov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bader's guard.
Bader looking to control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rakhmanov wants to control from the top but Bader keeps moving.
Bader wants to get back to his feet but Rakhmanov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov stands up over Bader, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bader is on top in guard.

Rakhmanov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rakhmanov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bader's guard.

Rakhmanov prevents Bader from getting back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rakhmanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bader is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rakhmanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bader wants to sweep but no luck.
Rakhmanov trying to control but Bader is working from the bottom.
Bader wants to stand but Rakhmanov is controlling the position.
Rakhmanov wants to pass the guard but Bader is keeping the position.
Bader keeping moving, preventing Rakhmanov from controlling successfully.
Rakhmanov throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bader trying to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Bader avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It looked like Bader wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rakhmanov missing with a left hand there. Bader was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It looked like Bader was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Bader throws a right hand that Rakhmanov ducks under and follows up with a left that Rakhmanov also avoids with ease.
Rakhmanov looks to throw the jab but Bader is out of range.
Rakhmanov tries to land a leg kick but Bader saw it coming and moves away.
Bader fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bader slips a straight right by Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov swinging wildly here.
It looked like Bader was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Rakhmanov throws out a loose jab but Bader uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rakhmanov looks to land a combination but Bader avoids it well.
Bader pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rakhmanov slips a jab and a cross from Bader.
Rakhmanov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Rakhmanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Rakhmanov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rakhmanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bader.
Bader swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rakhmanov.
Bader is looking to land body kicks.
Rakhmanov with the counter takedown but Bader avoids it easily.
Bader looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rakhmanov dodges the punch combination from Bader.
Rakhmanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bader.
Rakhmanov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bader lands a nice looking body kick.
Bader defending well as Rakhmanov loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bader - that will leave a mark!
Rakhmanov throws a series of punches but Bader avoids them all with ease.
As Rakhmanov looks to move away, Bader throws a big counter combo bu Rakhmanov just gets out of the way.
Rakhmanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bader.
Bader is looking to land body kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmanov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bader ducks under a wild hook from Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov misses with a double jab.
Rakhmanov dodges the punch combination from Bader.
Rakhmanov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Rakhmanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rakhmanov feints the counter takedown.
Rakhmanov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bader lands with a shot to the body.
Bader misses with a low kick.
Rakhmanov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bader checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bader fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rakhmanov misses with a wild combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rakhmanov throws a hook to the side of Bader's head but Bader sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It looked like Bader was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Rakhmanov is looking to slow Bader down with leg kicks.
Bader lands a leg kick that knocks Rakhmanov off balance momentarily.
Rakhmanov throws a series of punches but Bader avoids them all with ease.

Bader clinches up against the cage.

Rakhmanov breaks from the clinch.
Bader throws a head kick but Rakhmanov moves out of range.
Rakhmanov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bader throws a sloppy head kick and Rakhmanov moves out of range easily.
Bader misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bader fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rakhmanov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bader but Bader pushes him off and we're back to square one.
It appears Bader was looking to counter with a kick there.
Bader fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bader blocks a jab.
Rakhmanov lands a jab to the head.
Bader tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rakhmanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Bader.
Rakhmanov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Rakhmanov cracks Bader with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rakhmanov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bader checks it well.
Bader scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Rakhmanov throws a hook but Bader avoids it easily.
Bader scores with a jab to the body.
Rakhmanov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bader.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bader lands with a kick to the ribs.
Bader misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bader misses with a jab, cross combination.
And Rakhmanov tries to counter it with a takedown but Bader pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bader delivers a nice body kick.
Rakhmanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bader.
Rakhmanov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bader misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rakhmanov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Rakhmanov feints the counter takedown.
Bader throws a right and a left that both miss.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rakhmanov.
Bader tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rakhmanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rakhmanov avoids a kick to the body.
Bader throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rakhmanov avoids a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Willie Bader showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bader 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Willie Bader!
Willie Bader decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.