PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Rapp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morgan Priest (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rapp comes to the cage accompanied by How bout you. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Rapp
vs
Priest

174 cm
22
165 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Xavier Rapp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Morgan Priest!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rapp fails in his attempt to clinch.
Priest closes the distance but Rapp moves to the side
and Rapp counters with a thumping low kick.
Priest wants to clinch but Rapp slips to the side
and Rapp counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Priest looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rapp tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Priest looks to clinch
and Rapp counters with a nice body shot.
Priest misses with a combination
and Rapp counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Priest tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rapp counters by clinching up.
Rapp presses Priest against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Priest looks gassed!
Priest throws a punch but it's blocked by Rapp.

Rapp escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Priest darts in trying to clinch

and Rapp holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rapp lands a shoulder strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rapp scores with a hook to the body.
Rapp throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rapp throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short left from Rapp.
Rapp misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Priest.
Rapp lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Priest or not.
Rapp digs a right hand underneath Priest's ribcage. Priest let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Nice body punch from Rapp.

Rapp escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rapp clinches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rapp creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Rapp pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rapp lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Morgan Priest has been cut.

Rapp moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rapp escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rapp scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Priest falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rapp counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rapp.
Rapp presses Priest against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rapp lands a nice shot to the body.

Rapp breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rapp misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morgan Priest seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Priest swings away with a body shot that misses
and Rapp counters with a one-two to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rapp comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Rapp closes the distance and clinches.

Rapp breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Priest throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rapp counters with a left and a right that stings Priest.
Priest throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rapp counters with a two punch combo.
Priest misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Priest tries for a takedown but Rapp circles away easily

and Rapp counters by moving into the clinch.
Priest lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Priest is working Rapp over against the cage.
Priest blocks an uppercut.

Priest pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Priest tries to clinch but Rapp moves away

and Rapp counters by moving into the clinch.
Rapp tries to break the clinch but Priest is controlling the position.
A head punch on the inside from Rapp fails to land.
Rapp misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Priest is working Rapp over against the cage.

Priest pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Priest connects with a crisp jab.
Priest will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Priest doesn't manage to clinch there - Rapp circles away.
Priest misses with a looping right.
Priest swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rapp counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rapp throws a combination that misses
and Priest counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice defenses there by Rapp.
Priest swinging wilding here.
Priest scores with the left hand. Rapp knows he should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Priest tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rapp counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Priest pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rapp misses with a wild body shot.
Priest scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Priest tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rapp moves into the clinch.
Priest is looking to break free of the clinch but Rapp has double underhooks.

Priest pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Priest, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Priest gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rapp tries a body shot but Priest blocks it.
Priest cracks Rapp with a nice body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Priest breaks from the clinch.
Priest throws a right and a left that Rapp avoids nicely.
Priest throws a jab when Rapp was well out of range.
Rapp throws a nice looking combination but Priest bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Rapp dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Morgan Priest's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Priest swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rapp throws a chopping leg kick but Priest manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rapp has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Priest throws a nice looking combination but Rapp bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Priest fails in his attempt to clinch.
Priest tries for a takedown but Rapp circles away easily

and Rapp counters by clinching up.
Priest misses with a punch to the body.
Rapp lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Priest backwards.
Rapp works on Priest's body with a couple of short punches.
Priest wants to get back to striking at distance but Rapp won't allow it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rapp.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Priest tries a body shot but Rapp blocks it.
A body shot lands from Rapp.
Rapp makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rapp.
Rapp pushes Priest back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Priest avoiding damage as Rapp throws knees to the body.
Priest is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rapp throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rapp tries to land a knee to the head but Priest blocks with his arms.
Rapp can't find room to land a body shot as Priest controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rapp.
Priest works on Rapp's body with a couple of short punches.

Priest breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Priest closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rapp throws a punch but it's blocked by Priest.
Priest cracks Rapp with a nice body shot.
Rapp lands a left hand that snaps the head of Priest backwards.
Priest has had enough of the clinch but Rapp keeps him there for the moment.
Good body shot from Priest.
A hook to the body from Priest.

Priest escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Xavier Rapp is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Priest tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Rapp counter with a right hand.
Rapp displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Priest throws out the jab.
Rapp circles away from the clinch attempt
and Rapp counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
No joy there for Priest, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rapp bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Priest closes the distance looking to clinch
and Rapp counters with a series of strikes. Priest will be more careful next time no doubt.
Priest closes the distance looking to clinch
and Rapp counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Priest scores with a jab to the jaw.
Priest just misses with a punch to the body.
Priest closes the distance and clinches up with Rapp, looking for a takedown. Priest pushes Rapp against the cage but Rapp circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Rapp closes the distance and clinches.

Priest pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Priest tries to clinch but Rapp moves away

and Rapp counters by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rapp throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Priest creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Priest is trying to break the clinch but Rapp has him pressed against the cage.
Rapp tries a body shot but Priest blocks it.
Rapp tries to work over Priest's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Priest manages to break the clinch.
Priest throws a right and a left that Rapp avoids nicely.
No joy there for Priest, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Xavier Rapp is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Priest closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rapp is refusing to be controlled, as Priest sits in half guard.
Priest throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Priest seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Priest gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Priest tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Rapp counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rapp.
Rapp misses with a punch to the body.
Priest lands a hook to the side of the head.
Priest wants to break free but Rapp has control.
Priest is looking to break free of the clinch but Rapp has double underhooks.
Nice body punch from Rapp - that landed with a thud.

Priest pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Priest misses with a looping right.

Rapp closes the distance and clinches.
Priest working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Priest.
Priest wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rapp has him pressed against the cage.

Rapp breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Priest swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rapp counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Morgan Priest will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Morgan Priest's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rapp tries to bum rush Priest with a series of wild strikes but Priest uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Priest fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Priest misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rapp throws a series of punches but Priest moves out of range.
Priest throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Rapp counter with a right hand.
Rapp avoids the body shot from Priest.
Priest tries to clinch

and Rapp holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rapp cracks Priest with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Rapp breaks from the clinch.

Priest moves into the clinch.
Rapp lands a left hand that snaps the head of Priest backwards.

Priest manages to break the clinch.
Priest throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rapp cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rapp fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Priest throws a series of strikes that have Rapp backpedaling.
Rapp circles away from the clinch attempt

and Rapp counters by moving into the clinch.
Rapp trying to stall but Priest improves his position.
A short left from Priest.
Priest cracks Rapp with a nice body shot.
Priest lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rapp backwards.

Priest breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Xavier Rapp is winning the standup battle so far.
Priest wants to clinch but Rapp slips to the side

and Rapp moves into the clinch.
A hook to the body from Priest.
Priest presses Rapp against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rapp is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rapp lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Priest.

Priest manages to break the clinch.

Priest tries to keep at a distance but Rapp has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Priest is trying to break free.

Priest breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rapp will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Priest throws a nice looking combination but Rapp bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A big left from Priest misses.
Rapp throws a body punch but Priest moves out of range.
A left and a right from Priest both land. Nice combination.
Priest tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rapp swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rapp moves in looking to clinch but Priest pushes him off.
Priest looks to clinch
and Rapp counters with a leg kick.
Priest misses with a combination

and Rapp moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Priest has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rapp avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Priest lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rapp or not.
Rapp prevents Priest from breaking the clinch.

Rapp manages to break the clinch.

Rapp has managed to clinch.
Priest wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Priest breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Priest swinging wilding here.
Rapp fails with an attempt to clinch.
Priest displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Priest closes the distance looking to clinch
and Rapp counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rapp circles away from the clinch attempt
and Rapp counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Priest sizes up Rapp with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Priest misses with a straight right.
A punch combination from Priest misses.
Rapp lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rapp misses with a double jab.
Priest misses with a double jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rapp throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Priest might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Rapp has Priest up against the cage in a clinch.
Priest lands a hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Rapp showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rapp 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Rapp!