PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mike Fernard (ranked 6878 p4p, 0 weight class) and Theodoulos Rainard (ranked 6726 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Fernard
vs
Rainard

182 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Fernard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Theodoulos Rainard!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Darius Henderson and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rainard has Fernard up against the cage in a clinch.
Fernard is trying to pull guard but Rainard turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Fernard missing with knees to the body.
Rainard jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fernard walks away with a smile on his face. Rainard gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Fernard moves into the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Rainard takes a knee to the side of the body.
Fernard has Rainard pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rainard manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernard is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rainard has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Fernard after a bit of a struggle.
Mike Fernard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Theodoulos Rainard.
Fernard missing with knees to the body.
Rainard missing with knees to the body.
Rainard changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fernard fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernard leaves Rainard with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Fernard.
Fernard defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rainard.
Rainard will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice takedown defense from Fernard. No joy for Rainard on that attempt.
Fernard dives in for a single leg takedown but Rainard sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
As Fernard backs off Rainard throws a huge counter combo but Fernard manages to avoid it all.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Fernard.

Rainard explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Rainard looks winded!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fernard shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rainard but Rainard pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernard will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rainard moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rainard keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rainard scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fernard dives in for a single leg takedown but Rainard sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rainard shoots and misses
and Fernard counters with a three punch combo that has Rainard backing up. Rainard nods at Fernard to acknowledge the strikes.
Rainard shoots in for a takedown but Fernard shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fernard fails with the takedown
and Rainard counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rainard stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rainard wants it to stay on the feet.
Rainard is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Rainard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Rainard looks to move away, Fernard throws a big counter combo but Rainard just gets out of the way.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Fernard, right into the meat.
Rainard goes for a double leg but Fernard avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Fernard continues to drive forward.
Rainard looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fernard is fending him off so far but Rainard persists. Nope, Fernard circles away and we're back to standing.
Fernard connects with a right hand. Rainard shakes it off.
Fernard is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rainard sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Fernard rushes Rainard and presses him up against the cage.
Rainard fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fernard is trying to drag Rainard to the mat but Rainard just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Fernard jumps guard but Rainard stands there with Fernard around his waist. Fernard gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rainard tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Fernard pulls Rainard into guard.

Fernard is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rainard throws an elbow that misses. Fernard uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rainard's guard. Nice move by Fernard!

Rainard looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Fernard puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
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 Mike Fernard will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rainard has a takedown stuffed.
Rainard looks for a takedown but Fernard sprawls well.
Rainard dives in and grabs Fernard's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fernard pushes down on Rainard's head and hops out.
Mike Fernard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Theodoulos Rainard.
Rainard shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fernard pinned against the cage. Fernard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rainard tries to clinch
and Fernard counters with a series of strikes. Rainard will be more careful next time no doubt.
Mike Fernard is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernard has a takedown stuffed.
Rainard looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fernard appears to be looking for a big counter.
Rainard is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernard keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Fernard looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.

Rainard tries to keep at a distance but Fernard has taken the fight into the clinch.

Fernard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fernard fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fernard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fernard misses with a body kick.
Rainard tries to clinch but Fernard moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fernard is defended easily by Rainard.
And Rainard tries to counter it with a takedown but Fernard pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mike Fernard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rainard gets tackled into the cage by Fernard. Fernard maintains the clinch.

Rainard manages to break the clinch.
Fernard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rainard sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fernard somewhat.

Rainard rushes Fernard and presses him up against the cage.

Rainard jumps into guard, dragging Fernard to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernard wants to control from the top but Rainard keeps moving.
Fernard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rainard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fernard manages to get himself to full guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fernard looking to control.
Rainard not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Fernard tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Rainard drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rainard jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four 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.
Fernard trying to keep a closed guard but Rainard is proving a slippery customer.

Fernard looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rainard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rainard postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fernard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Rainard trying to control but Fernard 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.
Fernard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rainard defends it nicely.
Rainard steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Fernard.
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 Mike Fernard will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rainard.
Rainard tries for a takedown but Fernard circles away easily
and Fernard counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Fernard fails with the takedown.
Fernard has his takedown stuffed

and Rainard counters by clinching up.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rainard as Fernard tries to tie him up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernard tries to pull guard but Rainard forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Fernard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rainard looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rainard's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fernard closes the distance and clinches up with Rainard, looking for a takedown. Fernard pushes Rainard against the cage but Rainard circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fernard shoots in but Rainard avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fernard tries to pull guard but Rainard won't allow it.
Rainard drops down looking for an ankle pick but Fernard pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rainard fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fernard avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernard shoots in looking for a takedown. Rainard tries to sprawl out of it but Fernard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rainard manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rainard keeps the fight on the outside.
Fernard doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rainard counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Rainard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rainard or perhaps it was just good defense by Fernard, which made it look bad.
Nice takedown defense from Rainard. No joy for Fernard on that attempt.
A head kick misses from Rainard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Rainard with that takedown attempt.
Rainard misses with a takedown attempt
and Fernard counters with a series of strikes. Rainard will be more careful next time no doubt.
Fernard pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Fernard has Rainard up against the cage in a clinch.

Fernard breaks the clinch.

Rainard gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fernard to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Rainard manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fernard is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rainard sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fernard sets himself, and Rainard steps forward looking for the clinch! Fernard avoids it this time.
Rainard throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fernard's waist but Fernard gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rainard off to one side.

Fernard gets the takedown into side control.

Rainard throws Fernard to one side and escapes!
Left hook, right uppercut from Rainard.
Rainard changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fernard tries to avoid it but Rainard manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fernard to the ground. Fernard escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Fernard shoots in for a double leg but Rainard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rainard shoots in and drives through. Fernard sprawls well.
Fernard looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Rainard shoots in but Fernard avoids the takedown attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Theodoulos Rainard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fernard 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight for Theodoulos Rainard!
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight for Mike Fernard!
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight for Theodoulos Rainard!

Theodoulos Rainard wins by split decision!