PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcel Freitag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafa Issa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rafa Issa has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Marcel Freitag's chin.

Freitag
vs
Issa

200 cm
25
199 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Marcel Freitag!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rafa Issa!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Santiago Holmes and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Issa stuffs the takedown.
Freitag will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Issa throws a lazy right hand but Freitag sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Freitag really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Issa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Freitag.

Issa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Issa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Issa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Freitag's elbow.
Issa effectively controlling the action here.
Issa misses with a hook to the ribs.
A hook to the body from Issa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Issa lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Issa gets through Freitag's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Issa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Freitag is working for takedown but Issa is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcel Freitag. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Issa throws a head punch that misses.
Issa working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Issa.
Issa controlling the action here for a moment.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Issa.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Freitag.
Freitag wants to take the fight to the mat but Issa manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Freitag wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Issa has him pressed against the cage.
Issa struggles to land a body shot inside as Freitag controls his hands.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Issa takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Issa has a couple of punches blocked by Freitag.
Freitag has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Issa is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Issa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Issa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Issa works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Issa holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Freitag has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Issa avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Freitag is struggling to control the position.

Freitag pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Freitag clinches up against the cage.
Issa throws a punch but it's blocked by Freitag.
Issa misses with some punches.
Freitag is trying to force a seperation but Issa has the dominant position.
Issa misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Freitag manages to break the clinch.
Freitag on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Issa misses the target.
Freitag shoots in looking for a takedown but Issa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Freitag's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Freitag clinches with his opponent.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Freitag.
Issa tries a body shot but Freitag blocks it.
Issa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Freitag wants a takedown but no success here.

Freitag breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice uppercut lands for Freitag. That snapped Issa's head back.
Issa misses with a hook.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Freitag.
Horrible takedown attempt by Freitag or perhaps it was just good defense by Issa, which made it look bad.
Issa throws a fast counter high kick but Freitag manages to duck under it in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Issa lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Issa buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Issa blocks a head kick by Freitag.
Freitag blocks a jab.
Freitag keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Issa closes the distance and pushes Freitag back into the cage.
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!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Freitag.
Freitag tries to break free but Issa pushes him back against the cage.
Issa lands with a left to the head.
Issa is working Freitag over against the cage.
Issa lands a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafa Issa dominated that round.
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.

Issa throws a hook to the side of Freitag's head but Freitag sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Freitag walks forward, straight into a front kick from Issa.
Issa throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Freitag counters with a left and a right that stings Issa.
Issa throws a one two combo.
Marcel Freitag is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Freitag avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Freitag throws a head kick that misses
enabling Issa to counter with a crisp jab.
Freitag misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Issa to counter with a crisp jab.
Freitag bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Freitag takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Issa tries to work over Freitag's front leg with a kick but Freitag checks it.
Issa avoids the head kick by Freitag.
Issa connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Issa missing with a left hand there. Freitag was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Freitag changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Issa tries to avoid it but Freitag manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Issa to the ground. Issa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Marcel Freitag seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Issa lands a jab to the nose.
Freitag takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Freitag ducks under a wild hook from Issa.
It looked like Freitag was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Issa.

Freitag closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Issa fails to land.
A bit of stalling here from Issa.
Freitag landing knees to the head.

It looks like Rafa Issa has been cut.
Freitag blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Issa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Issa lands a body punch.
Freitag drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcel Freitag. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Freitag breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Freitag drives through and clinches with Issa against the cage.
Issa avoiding damage.
A short body shot lands from Issa as the two fighters clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Issa fails to land.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Issa misses with a body punch.
Issa tries to throw a body punch but Freitag avoids it by throwing Issa back against the cage.
Freitag prevents a body shot from Issa.
Issa tries to throw a body punch but Freitag avoids it by throwing Issa back against the cage.
Issa's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Issa as Freitag tries to tie him up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Issa swings wildly with an uppercut but Freitag uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've been informed that Issa has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Freitag blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Freitag pulls guard effortlessly.
Issa throws a strike but Freitag rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Freitag trying to control but Issa is working from the bottom.
Freitag content to stall in guard here.
Issa is striking but Freitag is not phased and passes to half guard.

Freitag postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Issa to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freitag shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Issa defends it nicely.
Jab by Issa.
Freitag is trying hard to land a takedown here. Issa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Issa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Freitag.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Issa throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Issa lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Freitag shoots in for a takedown but Issa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafa Issa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rafa Issa's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Issa misses with a body shot
and Freitag counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Issa throws a big shot that misses.
Issa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Freitag works over Issa's head and body with a nice combination.

Freitag has Issa up against the cage in a clinch.
Issa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Issa struggles to land a body shot inside as Freitag controls his hands.
Issa gets through Freitag's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Issa can't find room to land a body shot as Freitag controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Freitag prevents a body shot from Issa.
Issa lands with a left to the head.
Issa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Issa tries to throw a body punch but Freitag avoids it by throwing Issa back against the cage.

Freitag pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Issa is predictable there

and Freitag counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Issa swings wildly with an uppercut but Freitag uses good head movement to avoid it.
Issa swings wildly with an uppercut but Freitag uses good head movement to avoid it.
Issa dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Freitag fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Issa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Freitag pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Freitag uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Issa.
Issa misses with a hook.
Freitag drops down looking for a counter takedown but Issa sprawls and moves away.
Issa drops his hands momentarily and Freitag takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Danga de danga de dang - Issa scores with a four punch combination!
Rafa Issa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Issa moves out of range as Freitag throws a body kick.
Freitag misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Issa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Freitag doesn't seem bothered though.
Freitag misses with a head kick.
Issa steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Freitag.
Freitag shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Issa but Issa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Freitag darts in and clinches Issa up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Issa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Freitag wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcel Freitag. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Freitag fails to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Issa can't find room to land a body shot as Freitag controls the action.
Issa lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Issa stalling in the clinch.
Freitag being controlled against the cage.
Issa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short body shot lands from Issa as the two fighters clinch.

Freitag pulls guard effortlessly.
Issa scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Freitag manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Issa manages to get himself to full guard.

Freitag passes into half guard.
Issa throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Freitag manages to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freitag has control of an arm but Issa manages to advance to Freitag's back!
Issa is punishing Freitag with strikes - can he finish him?!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Freitag trying to control the hands but Issa won't let him.
Issa is trying to stick to Freitag's back but Freitag is turning into Issa. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Issa's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Freitag.
Issa can't keep his opponent in guard - Freitag advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Issa trying to hold on to Freitag's head to control him but Freitag postures up.
Freitag not landing any meaningful shots this time.

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 Marcel Freitag.
I think Issa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafa Issa!