PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Galdra Kiddi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riza Rakija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rakija is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Rakija. 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.

Kiddi
vs
Rakija

184 cm
39
170 lbs
34 - 20 - 4

174 cm
32
167 lbs
13 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 34 - 20 - 4, fighting out of Amsterdam, Galdra Kiddi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Riza Rakija!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rakija dives in for a single leg takedown but Kiddi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rakija misses with a low kick as Kiddi jumps back.

Rakija rushes Kiddi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kiddi.
Kiddi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rakija tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kiddi's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kiddi.
Rakija lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kiddi.
I was talking to Kiddi's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Rakija blocking some punches.
A short left from Kiddi.
Rakija using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kiddi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rakija throws a head punch that misses.
Kiddi struggles to land a body shot inside as Rakija controls his hands.
Rakija prevents a body shot from Kiddi.
Rakija fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kiddi tries a body shot but Rakija blocks it.
Kiddi leaning against his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakija misses with the head strike.
Kiddi tries to throw a body punch but Rakija avoids it by throwing Kiddi back against the cage.
Kiddi struggles to land a body shot inside as Rakija controls his hands.
Rakija lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rakija lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kiddi backwards.
Kiddi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kiddi blocking some punches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kiddi.
Kiddi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kiddi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rakija's elbow.
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.
Kiddi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kiddi swings wildly with an uppercut but Rakija uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rakija is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Galdra Kiddi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riza Rakija.
Kiddi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kiddi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rakija lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rakija just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kiddi's brow.
Kiddi misses with some punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rakija throws a punch but it's blocked by Kiddi.
Rakija misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rakija misses with some punches.
Kiddi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rakija lands a nice shot to the body.
Kiddi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rakija misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kiddi blocking some punches.
Kiddi tries to throw a body punch but Rakija avoids it by throwing Kiddi back against the cage.
Rakija pushes Kiddi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Kiddi fails to land.
Kiddi lands a body shot.
Rakija lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Galdra Kiddi has been cut.
Rakija throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kiddis head.
Rakija tries to break free but Kiddi pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakija lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rakija.
Kiddi working aggressively here.
Kiddi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rakija lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kiddi backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kiddi.
Rakija scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kiddi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kiddi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kiddi blocks an uppercut.
Rakija lands a hook that snaps the head of Kiddi backwards.
Rakija blocks an uppercut.
Kiddi lands a body punch.
Rakija blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kiddi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rakija backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short right from Rakija.
Rakija looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kiddi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rakija lands a head shot.
Rakija throws a body punch but Kiddi moves out of range.
Kiddi tries to counter with a takedown but Rakija is quick to defend against it.
Rakija doesn't manage to clinch there - Kiddi circles away.
Rakija wants to clinch up but Kiddi keeps it at a distance.
Rakija uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kiddi.
Rakija now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Kiddi missing with a left hand there. Rakija was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rakija throws out a counter right but Kiddi avoids it with no problem.
Rakija throws a leg kick

and Kiddi counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rakija is looking to control Kiddi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rakija avoid being mounted?

Kiddi is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rakija defends it well.
Ground and pound from Kiddi.
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 Galdra Kiddi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Galdra Kiddi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rakija takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Jab by Rakija.
Rakija tries to clinch

and Kiddi counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Rakija!
Rakija tries to bench press Kiddi off him but Kiddi keeps the position.
Kiddi is looking to take a break and control but Rakija is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Kiddi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rakija is looking for a sweep.
Rakija keeps Kiddi under control for a moment.
Kiddi misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiddi is looking to take a break and control but Rakija is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kiddi scoring with punches from side control.
Rakija manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Kiddi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rakija wants to take a breather but Kiddi is having none of it.
Kiddi wants to improve his position but Rakija is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rakija is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kiddi sees it coming and defends easily.
Kiddi is refusing to be controlled, as Rakija sits in half guard.
Kiddi is trying to get back to full guard.
Rakija works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kiddi prevents Rakija from taking his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiddi slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kiddi is trying to maintain the position but Rakija is very close to passing his half guard.
Rakija wants to pass the guard but Kiddi is defending well.
Kiddi is looking to control Rakija's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kiddi avoid being mounted?
Rakija is stalling here. Kiddi is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Rakija seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Kiddi has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Rakija on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Rakija takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Rakija's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kiddi trying to control the position but Rakija is working away.
Kiddi is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rakija sneaks back into half guard.
Kiddi looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rakija with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rakija is trying to get back to full guard.
Rakija is trying to maintain the position but Kiddi is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Galdra Kiddi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Galdra Kiddi's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A jab from Rakija does it's job there.
Kiddi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Rakija clinches up with Kiddi and pushes him back against the cage.
Kiddi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rakija's elbow.
Kiddi throws a punch but it's blocked by Rakija.
Kiddi can't find room to land a body shot as Rakija controls the action.
Rakija swings wildly with an uppercut but Kiddi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kiddi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kiddi misses with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rakija blocking some punches.
Riza Rakija seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Stalling in the clinch from Rakija.
Rakija misses with a hook to the ribs.
Still in the clinch, Rakija scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kiddi is trying to pull guard but Rakija has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiddi misses with a punch to the body.
Kiddi stops a takedown attempt from Rakija.
Rakija is pushing Kiddi up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kiddi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rakija throws a head punch that misses.
Kiddi pushes Rakija back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rakija gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rakija blocks an uppercut.
Rakija misses with the head strike.
Rakija misses with a punch on the inside.
Kiddi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rakija tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kiddi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rakija misses with a punch on the inside.
Kiddi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Riza Rakija has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Galdra Kiddi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakija struggles to land a body shot inside as Kiddi controls his hands.
Kiddi pushes Rakija back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rakija.
Kiddi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rakija tries to throw a body punch but Kiddi avoids it by throwing Rakija back against the cage.
Rakija working aggressively here.
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!
Kiddi blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kiddi.
Kiddi tries a body shot but Rakija blocks it.
Rakija tries to throw a body punch but Kiddi avoids it by throwing Rakija back against the cage.
Kiddi struggles to land a body shot inside as Rakija controls his hands.
Rakija tries a body shot but Kiddi blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakija working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rakija lands a right hand.
Rakija blocks an uppercut.
Rakija misses with a short punch on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kiddi as Rakija tries to tie him up.
Rakija fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kiddi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rakija fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kiddi misses with a punch to the body.
Kiddi lands a shot to the body.
Rakija tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakija struggles to land a body shot inside as Kiddi controls his hands.

Rakija's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Donk. Kiddi catches Rakija right on the button with a cross.
Kiddi lands a jab to Rakija's midsection.
Rakija connects with a high kick.
Kiddi checks a leg kick.
Rakija lands with a nice body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rakija checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kiddi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kiddi shoots in but Rakija avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Despite the aggression on Rakija's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Rakija throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kiddi thows a leg kick but Rakija checks it
and Rakija makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Riza Rakija comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kiddi 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

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