PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Deandre Medina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anomander Rake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anomander Rake has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Medina
vs
Rake

204 cm
22
278 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Deandre Medina!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anomander Rake!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rake darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Medina manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Rake keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Rake jumps into guard, dragging Medina to the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rake is on top in guard.

Medina will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rake wants to pass the guard but Medina is keeping the position.
Medina is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Medina is looking for a triangle but Rake pushes his legs off easily.
Rake content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rake avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rake wants to pass the guard but Medina is keeping the position.
Rake trying to control the position from guard on top but Medina is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rake stops Medina from standing up.

That's two 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.

Medina has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Rake has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Medina jumps guard and drags Rake to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Medina is working an open guard so Rake takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Rake drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rake preventing the sweep.
Medina trying to keep a closed guard but Rake is proving a slippery customer.

Medina working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rake doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rake manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rake works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medina tries to kick Rake off but Rake keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Rake thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Medina's head.
Rake thows a huge punch but Medina dodges it nicely.

Rake is looking for a kimura here.
Rake stops Medina from getting back to his feet.

Rake is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rake missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Medina looks like he's trying to stand up.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Medina wants to get back to his feet.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Medina is trying to maintain the position but Rake is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rake shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Medina's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anomander Rake will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rake decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Medina tries to roll over but Rake keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Medina trying to hold on to Rake's head to control him but Rake postures up.
Rake tries to pass the half guard into mount. Medina knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rake stops Medina from getting back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Medina wants to get back to full guard.
Medina looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rake trying to control the action but Medina is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rake seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Rake closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Medina quickly recovers to half guard.
Medina is looking to control Rake's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Medina avoid being mounted?
Rake wants to take a breather but Medina is having none of it.
Medina wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medina tries to get to full guard but Rake has control of the leg.

Medina looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Medina tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rake. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Medina wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Rake looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Medina has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Rake has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rake has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Medina clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Medina wants to get back to his feet.

Rake looking to break Medina's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Medina remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Rake will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Rake working for the choke.
Medina is keeping busy.
Rake is breathing heavily.
Medina trying to get back to his feet but Rake is in full control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rake trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Medina wants to get back to his feet.
Rake tries to keep control of the position but Medina is staying busy.
Medina wants to control his opponent's hands but Rake gets his hands free.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Medina is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anomander Rake showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Rake scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rake is staying tight to Medina's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Rake has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Rake shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rake stops Medina from standing up.
Medina managing to control the position.

Medina looking for a guillotine here but Rake defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Medina has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rake can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Medina had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rake defends it easily.
Rake throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rake must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rake tries to free his leg and advance position but Medina is retaining full guard.

Medina is looking for a triangle here but Rake uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Rake trying to control the action but Medina is working from the bottom.

Rake stands up and beckons Medina to his feet.
Rake has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Rake shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Medina napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Medina throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rake closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Medina quickly recovers to half guard.
Medina has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rake is working away from the top position though.
Rake seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Medina does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rake prevents Medina from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Medina is staying active underneath Rake, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Medina looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Medina pushes Rake off looking to stand but Rake dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medina trying to control here.
Medina wants to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rake throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Medina stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A shot to the liver by Rake. Beautiful body shot.

Rake takes the fight into the clinch.
Deandre Medina has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anomander Rake is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Medina throws an elbow but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anomander Rake comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rake has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anomander Rake!