PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Misiek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riaq Rowanda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Misiek kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is El Picante. Rafael Misiek has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Misiek
vs
Rowanda

181 cm
35
185 lbs
23 - 24 - 2

170 cm
30
188 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 24 - 2, fighting out of New York, Rafael Misiek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Riaq Rowanda!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rowanda throws a nice looking combination but Misiek bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Rowanda clinches up against the ropes.
Rowanda taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Misiek looking to stall.
Rowanda is trying to break the clinch but Misiek has him pressed against the ropes.
Misiek tries to pull guard but Rowanda won't allow it.
Misiek misses with a body punch.

Misiek breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rowanda throws a poor cross that misses
and Misiek cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rowanda lands a two punch combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab, jab by Rowanda - just one landing.
Nice defenses there by Misiek.
Misiek has been working on his balance at Midnight MMA, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Rowanda.
Rowanda throws a right hand that misses
and Misiek counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rowanda scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Misiek throws a body punch but Rowanda moves out of range.

Misiek forces Rowanda back against the ropes and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misiek misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rowanda.
A short uppercut from Misiek.
Misiek scores with a knee to the head.
A shot in the inside from Misiek.
Misiek with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rowanda tries to stall but Misiek uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Rowanda wants to get back to striking at distance but Misiek won't allow it.
Misiek prevents Rowanda from breaking the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Misiek with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Rowanda manages to break the clinch.
Riaq Rowanda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Misiek takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rowanda throws a sloppy head kick and Misiek moves out of range easily.
Rowanda tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Misiek wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rowanda fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rowanda takes one to the side of the head.
Rowanda has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rowanda connects with a crisp jab.
Rowanda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rowanda with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Riaq Rowanda is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Misiek gets a clinch.
Rowanda avoiding damage as Misiek throws knees to the body.
Misiek is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rowanda is defending well for now.
Rowanda has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rowanda takes an elbow to the temple.
Rowanda is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Misiek is keeping busy.
Rowanda wants to break free but Misiek has control.
Misiek connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rowanda's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Misiek.
Rowanda wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Misiek lands an elbow inside that Rowanda shrugs off.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rowanda wants to get back to striking at distance but Misiek won't allow it.
Misiek trying to land knees to the body.
Misiek taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Misiek looking to throw knees to the head but Rowanda is blocking nicely.
Misiek with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Misiek goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rowanda prevents it.
Rowanda is looking to break free of the clinch but Misiek has double underhooks.

Rowanda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick misses from Rowanda.
Misiek throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Misiek throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rowanda throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rowanda throws a leg kick which misses Misiek's front leg but catches the back leg as Misiek tries to avoid it.
Rowanda swings for the body but Misiek moves out of range.
Rowanda throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Misiek sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Misiek wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Rowanda throws a body shot but no joy.
Rowanda uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Misiek.
Rowanda doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Rowanda scores with a hook.
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!
Rowanda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Misiek appears to be looking for a big counter.
A head kick misses from Rowanda.
Misiek lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Misiek is looking to clinch but Rowanda is avoiding it.
Rowanda will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Misiek avoids the head kick by Rowanda.
Misiek shoots in for a takedown but Rowanda shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Misiek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rowanda motions for Misiek to come forward. Rowanda throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rowanda throws out a powerful jab.
Rowanda takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Riaq Rowanda will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rowanda bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Rowanda tries to clinch but Misiek moves out of range.
Rowanda lands a slapping body shot.
Misiek lands a really nice looking cross but Rowanda seems unphased.
Misiek digs a good hook to Rowanda's body.
Rowanda looks to land a combination but Misiek avoids it well.
A punch combination from Misiek misses.
Rowanda lands a slapping body shot.

Rowanda moves into the clinch.
Rafael Misiek has scored more points in the clinch so far.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Rowanda creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Misiek lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rowanda manages to break the clinch.
Rowanda wants to clinch.
Misiek wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rowanda tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rowanda closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Misiek misses with a body kick.
Misiek throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rowanda misses with a head kick.
Misiek scores with a hook.
Misiek throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Misiek is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rowanda fails to land with a series of punches.
Rowanda throws a lazy right hand but Misiek sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rowanda throws a lazy uppercut
and Misiek counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rowanda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rowanda moves out of range of the body kick.
Rowanda looks to score with a jab to the body but Misiek is just out of range.
Misiek getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Misiek avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Misiek is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It seemed like Rowanda was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Misiek tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Misiek misses with a looping right.
Rowanda looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rowanda slaps away a takedown attempt from Misiek, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rowanda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Misiek fires out a quick counter leg kick but Rowanda just manages to avoid it.
Rowanda swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rowanda swings away with a body shot that misses
and Misiek counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rowanda tries to clinch up but Misiek circles away and keeps his distance.
Rowanda misses with a double jab.
Rowanda bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Misiek throws a good cross that connects.
A combination from Misiek does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rowanda tries to score with a low kick but Misiek moves his leg out of the way.
Rowanda throws a hook but Misiek avoids it easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Misiek.
Misiek swats away the attempt to clinch by Rowanda.
Rowanda lands with a shot to the body.
Misiek lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A punch combination from Misiek misses.
Misiek tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rowanda is able to avoid easily.
Rowanda looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The fighters circling - Rowanda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Misiek seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Misiek slips under a jab.

Misiek gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rowanda tries to break the clinch but Misiek is controlling the position.
Misiek misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rowanda.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rowanda breaks the clinch.
Rowanda throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Misiek was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A looping hook to the body misses from Misiek. Rowanda does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Misiek cracks Rowanda with a good jab.
Rowanda wants to clinch but Misiek slips to the side
and Misiek counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Misiek lands with an uppercut that bounces Rowanda off the ropes and back into range.
Rowanda looks to score with a jab to the body but Misiek is just out of range.

Misiek clinches.
Rowanda wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Misiek tries to stall but Rowanda uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Misiek tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rafael Misiek will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Misiek jabs Rowanda to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rowanda comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rowanda lets loose with a powerful body kick. Misiek will feel that in the morning.
Misiek takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rowanda swats away the attempt to clinch by Misiek.
A big right from Misiek misses.
Misiek scores with the left hand. Rowanda knows he should have avoided that one.
Misiek misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jab, jab by Misiek - just one landing.
Rowanda scores with a body shot.
Misiek throws a right and a left that Rowanda avoids nicely.
Rowanda connects with an inside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rowanda throws a combination. Misiek tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Misiek misses with a wild body shot.
Misiek fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misiek 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.
Rowanda lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rowanda scores with a one two! Misiek had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rowanda misses with a straight right.
Rowanda lands a jab to the head.
Misiek scores with a jab. Rowanda acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rowanda buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Misiek pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rowanda is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Rowanda takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Misiek throws a head kick but Rowanda moves out of range.
A left lands for Rowanda.
Rowanda tries to bum rush Misiek with a series of wild strikes but Misiek uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Misiek tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Rowanda manages to circle out of the way.
Misiek throws a low kick but Rowanda moves out of range easily.
Rowanda lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Rowanda throws a shot from downtown. Misiek moves away and avoids it.
Rowanda's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Rowanda duly obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Misiek throws a right hand that Rowanda ducks under and follows up with a left that Rowanda also avoids with ease.
Rowanda misses with a body shot
and Misiek counters with a stiff right hand.
Misiek is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Misiek misses with a head kick.
Rafael Misiek is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rowanda throws a hook but Misiek blocks it.
Rowanda throws a sloppy head kick

and Misiek counters by moving into the clinch.

Rowanda manages to break the clinch.
Rowanda avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Misiek connects with a jab.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Misiek!
Misiek misses with a low kick.
A jab from Misiek does it's job there.
A low kick from Misiek is predictable there
and Rowanda counters with a one-two to the body.
Rowanda has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Misiek shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Rowanda eats them both and turns towards Misiek to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Rowanda gets tackled into the ropes by Misiek. Misiek maintains the clinch.
Rowanda trying to control the position but instead, Misiek has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rowanda into the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rowanda is trying to maintain a safe position but Misiek gets an underhook and turns Rowanda into the ropes.
Rowanda stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Nice body punch from Misiek - that landed with a thud.
Misiek lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rowanda tries to circle away but Misiek has him pinned against the ropes.

Rowanda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rowanda blocks a head kick by Misiek.
Rowanda throws a nice looking combination but Misiek bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rowanda lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Misiek circles away quickly and effectively.
Misiek shoots in but no luck this time.
Rowanda throws a fast counter high kick but Misiek manages to duck under it in time.
Rowanda tries to bum rush Misiek with a series of wild strikes but Misiek uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rowanda takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Misiek takes a swing at Rowanda's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Misiek throws a hook but Rowanda avoids it easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Rowanda misses.
Misiek tries to clinch up.
Misiek digs a good hook to Rowanda's body.
Rowanda swats away the attempt to clinch by Misiek.
Rowanda misses with a low kick as Misiek jumps back.
Rowanda looks to land a combination but Misiek avoids it well.
Misiek throwing a counter right hand but Rowanda manages to avoid it.
Misiek tries to clinch up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Misiek. Rowanda does a little dance to reset his feet.
Misiek scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Misiek throws a wild body kick that Rowanda sees coming a mile off.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rowanda wants to clinch up but Misiek keeps it at a distance.
Misiek tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Misiek bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rowanda's head backwards.

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 Rafael Misiek.
I think Misiek has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

The fight is ruled a majority draw!