PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Raven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Dillinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dillinger is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Listen!!. 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.

Raven
vs
Dillinger

188 cm
39
197 lbs
29 - 15 - 1

180 cm
32
195 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition
Hellbent

Aspire Clothing

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 29 - 15 - 1, fighting out of New York, Thomas Raven!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Dillinger!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dillinger tries a head kick but it misses.
Dillinger thows a leg kick but Raven checks it
and Raven connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dillinger throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dillinger misses with a body shot.
Raven changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
John Dillinger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raven with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dillinger will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Raven tries to counter by clinching up but Dillinger breaks away and moves out of range.
Dillinger shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Raven counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Dillinger has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Dillinger misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raven displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dillinger throws out the jab.
A quick step to the side and Raven tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've been hearing reports that Raven has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Dillinger chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Raven can pounce on him.
Raven on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dillinger fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Raven is out of range.
Raven was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Raven avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dillinger fails to land the takedown.
Raven tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dillinger swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dillinger throws a jab but it's blocked by Raven.
A chopping leg kick lands by Raven.
Raven fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Dillinger on the side of the head.
Dillinger throws a sloppy head kick and Raven moves out of range easily.
Raven tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Dillinger manages to circle out of the way.
Raven takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Raven swinging wildly here.
Raven misses the jab.
Dillinger takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Dillinger connects with a body shot.
Raven on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dillinger doesn't manage to clinch there - Raven circles away.

Raven instigates a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Raven tries to throw a body punch but Dillinger avoids it by throwing Raven back against the cage.
Raven swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Raven misses with a hook to the ribs.
Dillinger leaning against his opponent.
Dillinger is trying to force a seperation but Raven has the dominant position.
Stalling in the clinch from Raven.
Raven stalling in the clinch but Dillinger improves position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Raven.
Dillinger wants to get back to striking at distance but Raven won't allow it.
Raven tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dillinger's elbow.
Dillinger working aggressively here.
Raven doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dillinger is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Raven pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Thomas Raven has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Dillinger.
Dillinger wants to take the fight to the mat but Raven manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Raven scores with a shoulder strike.
A short uppercut from Raven.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Raven.
Dillinger throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ravens head.
Raven tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dillinger's elbow.
Raven working aggressively here.
Raven misses with a body punch.
Dillinger cracks Raven with a nice body shot.
Dillinger struggles to land a body shot inside as Raven controls his hands.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Raven.

Dillinger works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Dillinger throws an elbow that misses. Raven uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dillinger's guard. Nice move by Raven!

Raven is looking to pass into half guard but Dillinger pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Dillinger is in guard.

Raven looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Raven controlling the position.
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!
Raven working a defensive guard here.

Raven looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Dillinger passes into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dillinger in side control, throwing shots but Raven defends.
You can see the frustration on Raven's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Dillinger working the strikes but Raven uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raven keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Raven is not content to let Dillinger control the position.
Raven moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Dillinger wants to pass the guard but Raven is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Thomas Raven will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Dillinger tries to close the distance and clinch but Raven swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dillinger fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Raven manages to avoid it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Dillinger.
Dillinger swings away with a body shot that misses
and Raven counters with a left to the body.

Dillinger rushes Raven and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Raven struggles to land a body shot inside as Dillinger controls his hands.

Dillinger breaks from the clinch.
John Dillinger seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Raven looks to score with a jab to the body but Dillinger is just out of range.
Dillinger dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Raven. That did some damage!
Dillinger misses with an attempted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dillinger shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Raven napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Dillinger creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Raven sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dillinger trying to control the action but Raven is working from the bottom.
Dillinger is trying to ground and pound but Raven uses the momentary lack of control by Dillinger to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raven blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dillinger.
Dillinger prevents Raven from improving his position.
Raven wants to control but Dillinger is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Raven on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Raven is holding on to half guard well.
Dillinger is pressing down on Raven's thigh, looking to free his foot. Raven is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dillinger missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Dillinger thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Raven trying to control but Dillinger postures up.
Dillinger prevents Raven from improving his position.

Raven is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dillinger pulls his head out easily.
Dillinger working Raven over with strikes.
Raven gets full guard.
Dillinger trying to control the position from guard on top but Raven is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Raven is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dillinger is working Raven over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Dillinger controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Dillinger won't allow Raven to sweep him here.
Dillinger trying to control but Raven is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Raven tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Dillinger's jab looks to have found its range, popping Raven under the eye.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Raven lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Dillinger has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Dillinger and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Dillinger throws a hook to the side of Raven's head but Raven sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Dillinger.
Dillinger tries to clinch but Raven moves away
and Raven counters with a stiff right hand.
Raven stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Raven wants it to stay on the feet.
Dillinger misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raven.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Dillinger, right into the meat.
Dillinger misses with a takedown
and Raven connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Raven throws a left that rocks Dillinger and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Raven dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Dillinger regain composure!

Dillinger is rocked!

It looks like John Dillinger has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Raven working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Dillinger is still in real trouble! Can Raven finish him?
Raven wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dillinger keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but John Dillinger will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on John Dillinger's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Raven bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Dillinger seems to have recovered his senses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Dillinger.
Raven tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Dillinger attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Raven scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Dillinger scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Some bone on bone action there as Raven checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Raven half committed to a counter leg kick.
Raven is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Raven misses with a right hand
and Dillinger counters with a nice uppercut.
Dillinger throws a poor cross that misses
and Raven counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dillinger rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Raven moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dillinger moves out of range as Raven throws a body kick.
Raven misses with a low kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Dillinger! But no joy.
A lazy body kick from Dillinger
and Raven counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dillinger throws an off balance right hand
and Raven connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dillinger shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Dillinger closes the distance but Raven moves to the side
letting Raven counter with a right hand.

Dillinger is rocked!
Dillinger goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Dillinger misses with a right hand
and Raven counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Dillinger swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Raven tries to counter by clinching up but Dillinger breaks away and moves out of range.
A jab from Dillinger misses.
Raven fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dillinger manages to avoid it.
Dillinger throws a leg kick but Raven moved away.

Raven moves into the clinch.
Raven struggles to land a body shot inside as Dillinger controls his hands.
Raven is trying to maintain a safe position but Dillinger gets an underhook and turns Raven into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Raven pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Raven avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Raven fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dillinger with a hook.
Raven throws a head kick that half lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raven throws out a powerful jab.
Dillinger throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Raven.
Raven finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Dillinger was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Raven moves out of range as Dillinger strikes.
Raven avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Dillinger.
Good leg kick by Dillinger there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Raven looks to score with a jab to the body but Dillinger is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dillinger throws a jab when Raven was well out of range.
Raven keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Dillinger looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dillinger connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Raven blocks a head kick by Dillinger.
Raven blocks the body kick.
Raven throws a hook to the side of Dillinger's head but Dillinger sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Dillinger appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Raven scores with a hook to the body. Dillinger takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A leg kick checked by Dillinger.
A swing and a miss from Raven.
Dillinger checks a leg kick nicely.
Dillinger misses with a hook. Raven ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dillinger wants to land a leg kick but Raven is out of range.
Raven looks to score with a jab to the body but Dillinger is just out of range.
Dillinger flicks out a counter leg kick but Raven steps away.
Raven has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Dillinger.
Raven lands a jab.
Dillinger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Raven.
Raven throws the left hand but Dillinger avoids the punch easily.
Raven fails to land the takedown.
Dillinger tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Raven manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dillinger uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Raven.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raven clobbers Dillinger with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Raven lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dillinger's sensitive parts.
Raven takes a swing at Dillinger's ribcage but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Raven showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Raven 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Raven!
Thomas Raven opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.