PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rainbow Hero (ranked 1023 p4p, 139 weight class) and Max Houston (ranked 1362 p4p, 182 weight class). Hero comes to the cage accompanied by Пачка сигар. Rainbow Hero has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hero
vs
Houston

179 cm
37
203 lbs
24 - 17 - 6

179 cm
26
199 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

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 24 - 17 - 6, fighting out of London, Rainbow Hero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Houston!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Steve Smith and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Houston uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hero.
Houston lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hero at a distance.
Houston on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hero throws a body kick that misses.
Houston thuds a left hand into Hero's body.
Hero throws a poor cross that misses
and Houston counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Houston connects with a leg kick. Hero looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Houston 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.
Hero ducks under a wild hook from Houston.
A chopping leg kick lands by Houston.
Houston lands a leg kick that knocks Hero off balance momentarily.
Houston misses with a left hand
and Hero counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Houston throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
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!
Houston thuds a left hand into Hero's body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Houston.
Hero looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hero uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Houston.
Houston defending well as Hero loads up on a big left hand.
Hero throws a leg kick which misses Houston's front leg but catches the back leg as Houston tries to avoid it.
Houston punishes Hero's body with a nice straight punch.
Houston takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houston connects with a single shot there.
Houston throws a nice inside leg kick.
Houston misses with a body punch
and Hero counters with a slapping leg kick.
Houston throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hero displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Houston throws out the jab.
Hero ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hero swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Houston scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A shot to the liver by Houston. Beautiful body shot.
Houston loads up on a big right hand but Hero slips the punch.
Hero throws an off balance right hand
and Houston counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hero throws a hook but Houston avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hero. Houston does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hero lands with a good body shot.
Hero throws a sloppy head kick and Houston moves out of range easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A good leg kick by Hero.
Houston misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houston will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hero throws a counter high kick but Houston was just alert enough to avoid it.
A big right from Hero misses.
Houston connects with a body shot.
Hero checks a leg kick.
Hero walks into a jab.
Houston throws an overhand right that lands on Hero's shoulder, as Hero tries to avoid the shot.

Hero closes the distance and clinches.
Hero stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Houston misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hero lands a right hand that snaps the head of Houston backwards.
Hero wants to stall.

Houston breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Houston misses with a straight right.
Houston with a nice cross.
Houston misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hero.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hero misses with a lunging right hand
and Houston counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hero keeps Houston at a distance using the push kick.
Hero throws a right hand that misses
and Houston counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hero, as that shot connected.
Houston 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.
Houston wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hero lands with a shot to the body.
Hero moves away from the strike by Houston.

Hero closes the distance and clinches.
Hero has Houston pressed against the cage.
Hero throws a punch but it's blocked by Houston.
Hero tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Houston just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hero tries to stall but Houston uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short uppercut from Houston.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Houston pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Houston throws a head kick that half lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houston misses with a straight left.
Houston keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hero lands a nice shot that snaps Houston's head back.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hero looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Houston plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Houston tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Houston lands a two punch combo.
Hero tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Houston was well out of range. Poor timing from Hero.
Houston throws a head kick but Hero moves out of range.
Hero takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hero moves out of range of the strikes.
Hero throws a looping overhand right but Houston ducks down to avoid it.
Houston throws a jab when Hero was well out of range.
Houston lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hero circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Houston dominated that round.
That's time! Hero's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hero takes one to the side of the head.
Houston takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hero ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A big right from Houston misses.
Houston cracks a nice hook into Hero's ribs.
A shot to the body from Houston misses
and Hero counters with a nice uppercut.
Hero keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hero lands with a nice body kick.
Houston misses with a combination
and Hero counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hero punishes Houston's body with a nice straight punch.
Hero blocks a low kick nicely.
Hero keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A head kick misses from Houston.
Houston throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hero on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Houston uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hero.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hero drops Houston with a left right combo! Hero follows him down to the ground into side control.

It looks like Max Houston has been cut.

Hero looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Hero thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Hero is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Houston knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Houston gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hero thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houston is controlling Hero's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Hero prevents Houston from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hero seems to be working for a kimura but Houston defends the submission attempt.
Houston is looking to improve his position.
Houston slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Houston is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hero is looking for a sweep. Houston is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hero is looking to get back to full guard here but Houston has managed to pass to side control instead.
An elbow from Houston crashes against the mat.

Houston stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Hero takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Max Houston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Houston looks to throw the jab but Hero is out of range.
Hero dodges the punch combination from Houston.
Max Houston seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Houston defending well as Hero loads up on a big left hand.
Houston 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.
Houston lands a high kick!
Houston moves away from the strike by Hero.
Hero throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hero throws a body punch but Houston moves out of range.
Hero showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Houston.
A counter left hand to the body from Hero misses its target.
Houston throws a hook but Hero avoids it easily.
Hero keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hero throws a quick inside leg kick.
Houston keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Houston misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hero.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hero moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hero throws a hook but Houston avoids it easily.
Hero moves away from the strike by Houston.
Nice jab there from Hero.
Hero swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Houston fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hero is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rainbow Hero dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Max Houston's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hero keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Houston.
Hero swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Houston lands a jab to the head.
A combination from Hero does no damage.
Hero throws a jab when Houston was well out of range.
Houston cracks Hero with an open hand slap.
The crowd cheers as Houston lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hero doesn't seem phased though.
Houston catches Hero with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Houston on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Houston just misses with a punch to the body.
The fighters circling - Hero throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hero uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hero lands with an uppercut that bounces Houston off the cage and back into range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A shot to the body from Houston misses
enabling Hero to counter with a crisp jab.
Hero misses with a hook.
Hero throws a hook but Houston avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hero. Houston does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houston throws an overhand right that lands on Hero's shoulder, as Hero tries to avoid the shot.
A nice combination there by Houston.
Hero lands with a cross.
Houston staying out of range there.
Nice uppercut there from Houston.
Houston throws a poor cross that misses
and Hero counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Houston throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice body kick there by Houston.
Houston throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sloppy strikes from Hero. Those never looked like landing.
Hero tries to score with a low kick but Houston moves his leg out of the way.
Hero looks to score with a jab to the body but Houston is just out of range.
Houston takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Hero tries to close the distance and clinch up but Houston swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Houston looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hero misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hero slips under a jab from Houston.
Houston tries a head kick but it misses.

Hero instigates a clinch.
Houston lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hero.
Hero tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Houston is trying to break the clinch but Hero is controlling him.
Hero lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Houston backwards.
Houston prevents a body shot from Hero.

Hero escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Houston scores with a hook to the body. Hero takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Houston avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Houston throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hero on the side of the head.
Hero throws a hook but Houston blocks it.
Hero throws a sloppy body shot
and Houston counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Houston checks a leg kick.
Houston throws a big counter head kick but Hero avoids it with no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houston loads up on a big right hand but Hero slips the punch.
Houston dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice jab there from Hero.
Hero turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Houston blocks a head kick by Hero.
Hero moves out of range as Houston strikes.
Houston drops his hands momentarily and Hero takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Houston throws a jab when Hero was well out of range.
Hero connects with a body shot.
Houston throws a sloppy head kick and Hero moves out of range easily.
Hero throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Houston counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Houston throws a one two combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Houston throws a jab but it's blocked by Hero.
Hero half committed to a counter leg kick.
Hero tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Houston was well out of range. Poor timing from Hero.
Hero tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Houston was well out of range. Poor timing from Hero.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hero lands a nice shot that snaps Houston's head back.
A head kick misses from Houston.
Hero looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Hero fails to land with a series of punches.
Houston tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hero takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Houston takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Houston throws a lazy right hand but Hero sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A combination from Houston does no damage.
Houston misses with a wild combination.
Houston throws a right and a left that both miss.
Houston misses with an uppercut
and Hero connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hero throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Houston throws a hook to the side of Hero's head but Hero sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Houston slips under a jab.
Houston takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Houston ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

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 Rainbow Hero.
I think Hero 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rainbow Hero!
An out of breath Rainbow Hero thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.