PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Eddy Raymond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randi Mhaot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Raymond
vs
Mhaot

156 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
18
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Eddy Raymond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Randi Mhaot!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Topper Green and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mhaot wants to clinch up but Raymond keeps it at a distance.
Raymond throws a sloppy head kick and Mhaot moves out of range easily.
Mhaot throws a shot from downtown. Raymond moves away and avoids it.

Mhaot moves into the clinch.

Mhaot jumps guard and drags Raymond to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Raymond postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Raymond throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mhaot works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mhaot pulls Raymond in to control the position.
Raymond 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raymond in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raymond throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mhaot works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mhaot working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Raymond.
Mhaot is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mhaot thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mhaot thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Raymond's head.
Raymond is pressing down on Mhaot's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Raymond not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Raymond will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Raymond looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Raymond wants to sweep here but Mhaot controlling him for the moment.
Mhaot trying to control the position from guard on top but Raymond is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mhaot throws a big right hand that misses.
Mhaot throws a big elbow that misses.
Raymond is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Raymond is nestled in close to Mhaot, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Mhaot avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Raymond.
Raymond seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Raymond thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Raymond could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Raymond prevents Mhaot from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raymond sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mhaot defending well though.
Mhaot avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Raymond.
Raymond throwing shots but Mhaot is blocking nicely.
Raymond throws a strike but Mhaot avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Raymond preventing the sweep.
Raymond is looking to work some ground and pound but Mhaot has wrist control.

Raymond stands up from Mhaot's guard - Raymond perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Raymond swings away with a body shot that misses
and Mhaot counters with a one-two to the body.

Raymond forces Mhaot back against the cage and clinches.
A bit of stalling here from Mhaot.
Mhaot throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Raymond blocks it with crossed arms.

Mhaot's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mhaot looks winded!
Mhaot lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Raymond rushes Mhaot and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mhaot slowing the pace effectively.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Raymond is working for takedown but Mhaot is calmly controlling the position for now.

Raymond breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Raymond avoids a kick to the body.
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 Eddy Raymond will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mhaot gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mhaot throws an elbow that misses.
Mhaot misses with a body punch.

Mhaot breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Raymond tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Mhaot takes the fight into the clinch.
Mhaot misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Raymond.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mhaot will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Raymond up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Mhaot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mhaot breaks the clinch.
Nice defenses there by Mhaot.
Raymond tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mhaot is looking for the big counter here.
A head kick misses from Raymond.
Mhaot tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Raymond ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mhaot moves away.
Mhaot tries to counter by closing the distance.
Eddy Raymond seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raymond takes a swing at Mhaot's ribcage but misses.
Raymond keeps the fight on the outside.
Raymond is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Mhaot.
Raymond takes a swing at Mhaot's ribcage but misses.
Raymond throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mhaot pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mhaot wants to clinch up but Raymond keeps it at a distance.
Raymond appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Raymond 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.

Mhaot shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mhaot showed some decent athleticism there.
Mhaot missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Raymond moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mhaot preventing the sweep.
Mhaot throwing strikes from guard but Raymond blocks nicely.
Mhaot loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Mhaot thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mhaot is breathing heavily.
Raymond looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mhaot is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raymond is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mhaot defends well.
Mhaot landing some decent shots from guard.
Raymond bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mhaot's guard.

Mhaot has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Raymond landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raymond with a nice head shot there.
Mhaot lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Mhaot throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mhaot is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Raymond working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mhaot.
Raymond avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Raymond looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mhaot in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mhaot loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Randi Mhaot will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Raymond throws a head kick that misses.
Mhaot tries to clinch up.
Randi Mhaot is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mhaot has taken the fight to the clinch.

Mhaot breaks from the clinch.
Mhaot is looking to clinch but Raymond is avoiding it.
Raymond misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Raymond rushes Mhaot and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mhaot prevents a takedown attempt there.
Mhaot is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Mhaot using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Raymond has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mhaot tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Raymond avoids it.
Mhaot will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Raymond up against the cage.

Mhaot gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Raymond manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Eddy Raymond overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Raymond wants to sweep here but Mhaot controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mhaot throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mhaot throws a big elbow that misses.
Mhaot trying to control the position from guard on top but Raymond is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mhaot is looking to work some ground and pound but Raymond has wrist control.
Raymond is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mhaot trying to hold on to Raymond's head to control him but Raymond postures up.
Raymond with the ground and pound but Mhaot uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Raymond throws an elbow that misses. Mhaot uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Raymond's guard. Nice move by Mhaot!
Raymond keeping moving, preventing Mhaot from controlling successfully.
Raymond is trying to keep Mhaot in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raymond is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mhaot must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Raymond avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mhaot with a flurry of punches that miss.
Raymond has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Mhaot has passed into side control.
Raymond manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Raymond is not content to let Mhaot control the position.
Mhaot sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Raymond defending well though.
Raymond manages to get to full guard.
Mhaot lands a couple of digs.
Raymond manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mhaot manages to get himself to full guard.

Raymond makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raymond throwing strikes but missing.
Raymond won't allow Mhaot to sweep him here.
Raymond working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Raymond in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mhaot looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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 Eddy Raymond.
I think Raymond 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:28
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddy Raymond!