PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jack Gold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riza Rakija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rakija has chosen Rakija as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gold
vs
Rakija

171 cm
31
155 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

174 cm
30
167 lbs
11 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Jack Gold!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Riza Rakija!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gold takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rakija chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rakija stuffs the takedown.
Rakija throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gold on the side of the head.
Gold lands a really nice looking cross but Rakija seems unphased.
Gold shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rakija sprawls well. Rakija wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gold gets slowly back to his feet.
Rakija slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rakija slips under a jab from Gold.
Gold takes a swing at Rakija's ribcage but misses.
Rakija dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gold. That did some damage!
A head kick misses from Rakija.
Gold is looking to counter punch.
Rakija throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Gold looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rakija loads up on a big right hand but Gold slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakija throws a head kick that Gold semi-blocks.

Gold is rocked!

It looks like Jack Gold has been cut.
Rakija finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rakija slips under a jab from Gold.
Rakija scores with a sloppy right hand. Gold should have avoided that one.
Gold chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rakija can pounce on him.
Rakija misses with a double jab
and Gold counters with a nice uppercut.
Gold takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Oh Gold is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rakija with a hook.
Gold scores with a hook to the body. Rakija takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rakija avoids the head kick by Gold.
We've been informed that Rakija has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Gold steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rakija.
Gold seems to have got his legs back now.
Rakija misses with a left hand
and Gold counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rakija throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A little feinted left hand from Gold on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gold lands a nice hook to Rakija's body. Rakija takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Jack Gold seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gold connects with the punch.
A head kick misses from Gold.
Rakija only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Gold scores with a sloppy right hand. Rakija should have avoided that one.
Gold just misses with a punch to the body.
Rakija lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gold takes a swing at Rakija's ribcage but misses.
Rakija throws a head kick that misses.
Rakija slips under a jab.
Gold lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gold misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Gold. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rakija keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rakija let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Gold keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gold misses with a straight left.
Rakija steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold catches Rakija with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rakija fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gold manages to avoid it.
Gold looks to land a combination but Rakija avoids it well.
Gold works the jab nicely.
Rakija fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gold manages to avoid it.

Gold moves into the clinch successfully.
Gold doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rakija jumps guard but Gold turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Rakija gets control of Gold's arms and successfully pulls guard. Rakija will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Rakija controls Gold momentarily but Gold frees himself.
Rakija keeping moving, preventing Gold from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakija controls Gold momentarily but Gold frees himself.
Rakija seems keen to control Gold's posture.

Rakija is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gold defends well.
Rakija seems keen to control Gold's posture.
Rakija utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Rakija is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rakija not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Riza Rakija will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jack Gold's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gold swinging wildly here.
Gold scores with a hook to the body. Rakija takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gold throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rakija counters with a stiff right hand.
Gold swinging wildly here.
Rakija throws the left hand but Gold avoids the punch easily.
A big left from Rakija misses.
Gold looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Gold lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rakija throws a big shot that misses.
Rakija shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gold throws an off balance right hand
and Rakija counters with a low kick, right behind Gold 's knee.
Rakija misses with a two punch combination.
A quick step to the side and Gold tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gold tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gold swings for the body but Rakija moves out of range.
Gold misses with a hook. Rakija ducked under it nicely.
Gold fails to land the takedown.
Rakija misses with a straight left.
A little feinted left hand from Gold on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rakija.
Gold tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rakija swivels and escapes.
Gold steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rakija.
Nice shot by Rakija.
Gold throws a body punch but Rakija moves out of range.
Rakija jabs Gold right on the nose. Gold blinks but takes it well.
Rakija throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gold on the side of the head.
Gold throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakija takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Rakija closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rakija tries to work over Gold's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Rakija on the inside.
Rakija effectively controlling the action here.
Rakija fails to pull guard.
Rakija looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A shot in the inside from Gold.
Rakija stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Gold misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rakija stalling in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rakija.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakija takes a shot to the head.
Gold prevents a body shot from Rakija.
Rakija lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rakija blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rakija looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gold misses with a punch on the inside.
Rakija lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nice elbow from Rakija.
Rakija lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gold backwards.
Gold misses with some punches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Rakija swings wildly with an uppercut but Gold uses good head movement to avoid it.

Rakija pulls Gold into guard.
Gold trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakija is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rakija looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Gold slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Gold is fighting to break Rakija's control of his arms but Rakija is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Rakija wants to sweep here but Gold controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riza Rakija showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jack Gold's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gold misses with a wild body shot.
Rakija misses with a straight left.
Gold swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rakija scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rakija throws out a powerful jab.
Rakija jabs Gold right on the nose. Gold blinks but takes it well.
Rakija checks the leg kick.
Rakija moves away from the strike by Gold.
Gold throws a shot from downtown. Rakija moves away and avoids it.
A big right from Rakija misses.
Rakija has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rakija lands with a thumping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab, jab by Rakija - just one landing.
Rakija throws a looping overhand right but Gold ducks down to avoid it.
Rakija swinging wildly here.
Gold just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold tries to close the distance and clinch but Rakija swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gold uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rakija.
A combination from Gold does no damage.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rakija! But no joy.
Rakija cracks Gold with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rakija tries to work over Gold's front leg with a kick but Gold checks it.
Rakija lands with a nice body punch.
Gold throws out a powerful jab.
Gold steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rakija.
Nice uppercut lands for Rakija. That snapped Gold's head back.
Gold uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rakija.
Gold waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rakija.
Gold misses the shot to the body.
Gold moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Jack Gold has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakija fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gold throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rakija counters with a nice uppercut.
Rakija throws a hook but Gold blocks it.
Gold slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gold ducks under a wild hook from Rakija.
Gold throws a body shot but no joy.

Rakija gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gold stopping the sweep attempt from Rakija.
Gold landing with the ground and pound.
Gold is in close to Rakija's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gold works over Rakija with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakija pulls Gold in close to prevent any damage.
Gold trying to control but Rakija is working from the bottom.
Rakija utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gold trying to control but Rakija is working from the bottom.
Riza Rakija is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Gold trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rakija is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Rakija avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rakija has control of Gold's left arm, preventing Gold from doing any damage.

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.
Gold trying to control the position from guard on top but Rakija is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rakija. Gold does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rakija throws a looping overhand right but Gold ducks down to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from Gold on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nice sprawl there from Rakija as Gold shoots in.
Gold thuds a left hand into Rakija's body.
A shot to the body from Gold misses
and Rakija counters with a nice leg kick.
Gold throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Rakija counter with a right hand.
Rakija scores with a jab to the body.
Riza Rakija is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gold with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rakija to score with a decent uppercut.
Gold is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rakija.
Rakija throws a fast counter high kick but Gold manages to duck under it in time.
Rakija lands a nice hook to Gold's body. Gold takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gold looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rakija moves out of range as Gold throws a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Riza Rakija comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rakija winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Riza Rakija!
Riza Rakija thanked the fans post fight for their support.