PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raja Wijaya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Marfaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Juan Marfaker will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Wijaya
vs
Marfaker

189 cm
21
189 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

208 cm
22
216 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Bos Energy MMA159.4

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Raja Wijaya!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Juan Marfaker!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Summer Carpenter and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wijaya scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Marfaker regains half guard.

Wijaya seems to be working for a kimura but Marfaker defends the submission attempt.
Wijaya lands strikes from half guard.
Marfaker is controlling Wijaya's trapped leg to prevent Wijaya from advancing to side control.
Wijaya missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Marfaker taking some punishment here, with Wijaya in his half guard.
Marfaker keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marfaker trying to control here.
Wijaya thows a huge punch but Marfaker dodges it nicely.
Marfaker felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Marfaker tries to roll over but Wijaya keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marfaker gets back to full guard.
Marfaker is pulling down on Wijaya's head to control his posture.
Marfaker keeping moving, preventing Wijaya from controlling successfully.
Wijaya throws a strike but Marfaker rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Marfaker sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Wijaya might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Wijaya wants to stand but Marfaker is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Wijaya wants to stand and escape but Marfaker is having none of it.
Marfaker looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Marfaker passes Wijaya's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya is trying to stand back up but Marfaker is controlling him
Marfaker is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Wijaya is looking to escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Wijaya moves in looking to clinch but Marfaker pushes him off.
Both fighters circling a little - Marfaker finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Wijaya looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Wijaya looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Wijaya with the ground and pound but Marfaker uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Wijaya throws a big elbow that misses.
Wijaya with a flurry of punches that miss.
Marfaker seems keen to control Wijaya's posture.
Wijaya landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya is fighting to break Marfaker's control of his arms but Marfaker is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Wijaya has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Wijaya in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Marfaker utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Marfaker is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Wijaya throwing strikes from guard but Marfaker blocks nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wijaya postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raja Wijaya dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice sprawl there from Marfaker as Wijaya shoots in.

Wijaya gets a double leg takedown into Marfaker's guard.
Marfaker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wijaya.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wijaya accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Marfaker seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Wijaya stands up over Marfaker, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wijaya throws a big elbow that misses.
Wijaya keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Marfaker's head.

Marfaker throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wijaya throws a big elbow that misses.
Wijaya postures up in Marfaker's guard and throws a big left but Marfaker blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wijaya throws a big right hand that misses.
Raja Wijaya overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wijaya throwing strikes but missing.
Wijaya trying to control but Marfaker is working from the bottom.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Wijaya here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Wijaya lands a couple of digs.
Wijaya trying to control but Marfaker is working from the bottom.
Wijaya pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Marfaker is keeping the position for now.
Marfaker bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wijaya's guard.

Wijaya is trying to control the position but Marfaker postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marfaker controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marfaker won't allow Wijaya to sweep him here.
Marfaker won't allow Wijaya to get back to his feet.
Wijaya looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Marfaker puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Wijaya is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Marfaker can do to turn this around?
Wijaya looks like he's trying to stand up.
Wijaya trying to control here.
Marfaker controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wijaya feints and as Marfaker raises his hands in defense, Wijaya changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wijaya working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Marfaker's head.
Wijaya throws an elbow that misses. Marfaker uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Wijaya's guard. Nice move by Marfaker!

Marfaker passes Wijaya's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Marfaker trying to mount his opponent but Wijaya defends it.
Wijaya scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Marfaker manages to mount him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya wants to hold on but Marfaker pushes him away.
Marfaker tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Wijaya is trying desperately to improve position.
Wijaya tries to control Marfaker's body but Marfaker pushes him off. Wijaya squirms to his side and now Marfaker has his back!
Marfaker avoiding Wijaya 's attempts to control his hands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
I would not like to be Wijaya right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Juan Marfaker will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Wijaya shoots in but Marfaker avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Marfaker scores with a nice right hand.
Wijaya looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Marfaker is fending him off so far but Wijaya persists. Nope, Marfaker circles away and we're back to standing.
Marfaker looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Marfaker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Marfaker is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Wijaya tries to close the distance and clinch but Marfaker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wijaya closes this distance looking for a takedown but Marfaker circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raja Wijaya. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marfaker stuffs the takedown attempt from Wijaya. Wijaya gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Marfaker enables Wijaya to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Marfaker manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Wijaya postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wijaya is looking to work some ground and pound but Marfaker has wrist control.
Wijaya throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wijaya with a flurry of punches that miss.
Marfaker has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Wijaya throws a big right hand that misses.
Marfaker wants to sweep here but Wijaya controlling him for the moment.
Wijaya postures up in Marfaker's guard and throws a big left but Marfaker blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wijaya accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Wijaya's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Wijaya with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Wijaya scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Wijaya postures up.
Marfaker is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Wijaya throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wijaya throws a strike but Marfaker rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Marfaker forces his way into half guard.
Wijaya tries to get to full guard but Marfaker has control of the leg.
Wijaya keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Marfaker prevents Wijaya from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya regains full guard. Nicely done.
Marfaker engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Wijaya is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wijaya is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Wijaya is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Marfaker is controlling him.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Wijaya is pulling down on Marfaker's head. It's preventing any offense from Marfaker, at least for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Marfaker.
Wijaya closes the distance and clinches up with Marfaker, looking for a takedown. Wijaya pushes Marfaker against the cage but Marfaker circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Marfaker scores with a jab to the jaw.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Marfaker throws a leg kick which misses Wijaya's front leg but catches the back leg as Wijaya tries to avoid it.
Marfaker throws a head kick but Wijaya moves out of range.
Wijaya tries to score a power double leg takedown but Marfaker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wijaya somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Marfaker really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Marfaker works Wijaya's body with a nice hook.
Wijaya fails with a takedown attempt.
Wijaya shoots in for a takedown but Marfaker shows good takedown defense.
Wijaya backing away here, and Marfaker unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Wijaya takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Wijaya takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Marfaker pushes Wijaya away with a front kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marfaker lunges at Wijaya with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Wijaya's hand.
Wijaya tries to clinch there but Marfaker circles away.
Marfaker lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Good exchange - Marfaker coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Marfaker there.
Marfaker leaves Wijaya with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raja Wijaya. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Wijaya staying out of range there.
Wijaya looks for a takedown but Marfaker sprawls well.
Marfaker let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Marfaker feints and then cracks Wijaya's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Wijaya down.
A combination from Marfaker does no damage.
Wijaya gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Marfaker counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Marfaker tries to score with a low kick but Wijaya moves his leg out of the way.
Marfaker scores with a jab to the head.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Marfaker, right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marfaker rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wijaya moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Marfaker attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Wijaya appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Marfaker fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Wijaya is out of range.
Marfaker misses with a body kick.
Marfaker has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Marfaker shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Wijaya shoots in for a takedown but Marfaker shows good takedown defense.
Juan Marfaker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A slapping leg kick lands for Marfaker.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marfaker slaps away a takedown attempt from Wijaya, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Marfaker chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Marfaker throws a shot from downtown. Wijaya moves away and avoids it.
Marfaker lands with a nice body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marfaker changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Wijaya fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Despite the aggression on Marfaker's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Juan Marfaker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marfaker scores with a leg kick.
Marfaker throws a body shot but no joy.
Wijaya fails with the takedown.
Wijaya shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Marfaker sprawls well. Marfaker wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Wijaya gets slowly back to his feet.
A countering left hand to the body from Marfaker misses.
Marfaker scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marfaker lands with an overhand left.
Wijaya tries to score a power double leg takedown but Marfaker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wijaya somewhat.
Wijaya takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Marfaker throws a sloppy head kick and Wijaya moves out of range easily.
Wijaya slips a jab from Marfaker.
The fighters circling - Marfaker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Marfaker swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Wijaya counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
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!
Marfaker keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Marfaker dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Marfaker throws a head kick that Wijaya semi-blocks.

It looks like Raja Wijaya has been cut.

Marfaker gets caught napping as Wijaya dives in and scores a takedown. Marfaker manages to retain guard.
Wijaya throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Marfaker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wijaya throwing strikes from guard but Marfaker blocks nicely.
Wijaya cracks Marfaker with a solid left hand.
Marfaker seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Marfaker keeping moving, preventing Wijaya from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wijaya trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Marfaker pulls Wijaya in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wijaya throws a big elbow that misses.
Marfaker trying to control the position.
Wijaya missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Wijaya in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Marfaker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wijaya.
Wijaya fails with the takedown
and Marfaker counters with a big head kick but Wijaya shrugs it off.
Wijaya shoots in for a takedown but Marfaker shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Marfaker throws a jab but it's blocked by Wijaya.
Marfaker takes a swing at Wijaya's ribcage but misses.
Wijaya appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Raja Wijaya has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marfaker stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Wijaya tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Marfaker swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raja Wijaya. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wijaya on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Marfaker throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Marfaker moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Wijaya misses with a takedown attempt - Marfaker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Wijaya dodges the punch combination from Marfaker.
Wijaya attempts a counter takedown but Marfaker avoids it well and moves away.
Marfaker cracks Wijaya with a good jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marfaker throws a front kick that sends Wijaya stumbling back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marfaker throws the kick towards the body but Wijaya avoids it.
Marfaker misses with a two punch combination.
Wijaya changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Wijaya closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Marfaker to the mat! Marfaker manages to get full guard.
Wijaya is looking to work some ground and pound but Marfaker has wrist control.
Marfaker working a defensive guard here.
Wijaya postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Wijaya postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wijaya works over Marfaker with some ground and pound from guard.
Wijaya throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marfaker avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wijaya throws a big right hand that misses.
Marfaker keeping moving, preventing Wijaya from controlling successfully.
Wijaya loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Marfaker trying to control the position here.
Wijaya is working Marfaker over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wijaya working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wijaya with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wijaya throwing strikes but missing.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Marfaker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Marfaker 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 47:48
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Marfaker!
Juan Marfaker is the new light heavyweight champion!
An out of breath Juan Marfaker thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Raja Wijaya spoke after the fight, saying 'sorry to let you down folks, I shall train harder to win'.