PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cu Chulainn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raphael Bowie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chulainn comes to the cage accompanied by The Blood of Cu Chulainn. 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.

Chulainn
vs
Bowie

183 cm
29
190 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

195 cm
40
210 lbs
25 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

AnonymouS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cu Chulainn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Raphael Bowie!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Bruno Lombardi and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chulainn closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bowie circles away.
Chulainn avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Raphael Bowie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bowie swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Chulainn misses with a looping right.
Bowie defending well as Chulainn loads up on a big left hand.
Bowie ducks under a wild hook from Chulainn.
A left lands for Bowie.
Chulainn checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bowie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Chulainn.
Chulainn tests Bowie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Chulainn shoots in looking for a takedown. Bowie tries to sprawl out of it but Chulainn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bowie manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bowie fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bowie misses with a looping left.
Bowie misses with the combination.
A low kick from Bowie is predictable there

and Chulainn counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Chulainn.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bowie keeping full guard, as Chulainn tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chulainn throws a strike but Bowie rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bowie wanted to stand there but Chulainn had control of the position.
Chulainn looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Chulainn is working hard here to advance position.
Chulainn is looking to stand up but Bowie isn't so interested in that idea.
Chulainn looking to control.
Bowie wants to stand but Chulainn has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chulainn wants to hit a switch here but Bowie passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Chulainn there!
Chulainn working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bowie is looking to stand but Chulainn has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Chulainn sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Chulainn is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Chulainn makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Chulainn.
Chulainn bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bowie's guard.

Chulainn loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Chulainn might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Chulainn throws a big elbow that misses.
Chulainn sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Bowie keeping moving, preventing Chulainn from controlling successfully.
Chulainn working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bowie keeping moving, preventing Chulainn from controlling successfully.
Chulainn is looking to work some ground and pound but Bowie has wrist control.
Bowie is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Chulainn is controlling him.
Chulainn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chulainn throws a strike but Bowie rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bowie wants to get up but he can't break Chulainn's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've been hearing good reports from Chulainn's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Chulainn wants to sweep here but Bowie controlling him for the moment.
Bowie wants to get up but he can't break Chulainn's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bowie is one step ahead there.
Bowie has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Chulainn is proving hard to escape from.
Chulainn looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bowie wants to stand but Chulainn has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bowie tried to score with a low kick but Chulainn checks it.
Chulainn clobbers Bowie with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A clash of legs there as Chulainn blocks the low kick.
Bowie lands a body shot.
Bowie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Chulainn.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Raphael Bowie will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bowie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Chulainn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Chulainn connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bowie's hands.
Chulainn shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bowie as he jumps to the side.
Bowie throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Chulainn tries for a takedown but Bowie sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bowie swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bowie throws a sloppy head kick and Chulainn moves out of range easily.
Chulainn fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cu Chulainn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chulainn slips a straight right by Bowie.
Bowie lands a slapping body shot.
Bowie misses with a series of wild punches.
Chulainn jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Chulainn or perhaps it was just good defense by Bowie, which made it look bad.
Bowie lands with a hook. Chulainn tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Bowie uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Chulainn has time to react.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
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!
Bowie connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Chulainn momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chulainn avoids the head kick by Bowie.
Chulainn feinted with a counter takedown.
Bowie fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Bowie misses with a leg kick.
Chulainn blocks a leg kick.
Chulainn walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Chulainn fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Chulainn waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bowie.
Chulainn shoots in but no luck this time.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Chulainn.
Bowie scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bowie misses with a low kick as Chulainn jumps back.
Bowie with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A left lands for Bowie.
Bowie is looking to slow Chulainn down with leg kicks.
Bowie misses with a hook

and Chulainn counters with a single leg into guard. Bowie didn't expect that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chulainn throws an elbow that misses. Bowie uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chulainn's guard. Nice move by Bowie!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bowie is one step ahead there.
Bowie postures up.
Chulainn wants to sweep here but Bowie controlling him for the moment.
Bowie wants to get up but he can't break Chulainn's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Chulainn is on top in guard.

Chulainn has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Chulainn landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bowie has momentary wrist control but Chulainn slips an elbow through the middle.
Chulainn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bowie wants to get back to his feet but Chulainn is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Chulainn keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bowie's head.
Chulainn with a flurry of punches that miss.
Chulainn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Chulainn wants to pass the guard but Bowie is keeping the position.
Chulainn trying to control the position from guard on top but Bowie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bowie wants to stand and escape but Chulainn is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Chulainn throws a big elbow that misses.
Bowie is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bowie feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Chulainns jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bowie steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Chulainn.
Bowie throws a body shot but no joy.
Chulainn shoots in looking for a takedown but Bowie manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Chulainn's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bowie tries a head kick but it misses.
A low kick from Bowie misses

and Chulainn counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Bowie!
Bowie wants to get back to his feet but Chulainn is dominant here and he's now got Bowie's back!
Bowie finds himself mounted whilst avoiding strikes.
Bowie has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bowie has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Chulainn's lack of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raphael Bowie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Chulainn scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bowie throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
An inside leg kick from Bowie misses.

Chulainn shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Chulainn missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Chulainn misses with a head shot. Bowie uses the momentum to regain guard.
Chulainn trying to control the position from guard on top but Bowie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chulainn prevents Bowie from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chulainn trying to control the position from guard on top but Bowie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chulainn is working Bowie over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Chulainn working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Chulainn trying to control but Bowie is working from the bottom.
Chulainn won't allow Bowie to get back to his feet.
Bowie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Chulainn is looking to work some ground and pound but Bowie has wrist control.
Bowie is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Chulainn is controlling him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Chulainn walks into a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Bowie.
Bowie does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Chulainn takes a swing at Bowie's ribcage but misses.
Bowie misses with a low kick.
Bowie throws a leg kick that is checked

and Chulainn counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Chulainn is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Chulainn is looking to advance position but Bowie has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chulainn is in all sorts of trouble here.
Chulainn regains half guard.
Bowie seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Chulainn makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Chulainn.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Chulainn is on top in guard.

Chulainn working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bowie keeping moving, preventing Chulainn from controlling successfully.
Bowie utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bowie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Chulainn.
Chulainn looking to sit in guard and control but Bowie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Chulainn is trying to keep Bowie in close.
Bowie wants to stand but Chulainn is controlling his posture from full guard.
Bowie stopping the sweep attempt from Chulainn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bowie wants to stand but Chulainn is controlling his posture from full guard.
Raphael Bowie is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Chulainn is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Chulainn throws a strike but Bowie avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Chulainn wants to control from the top but Bowie keeps moving.
Bowie being controlled here, momentarily.
Cu Chulainn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bowie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cu Chulainn showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bowie 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raphael Bowie!
Raphael Bowie seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.