PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Billy Ashley (ranked 25114 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rae Rafael (ranked 6399 p4p, 0 weight class). Rae Rafael has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ashley
vs
Rafael

156 cm
19
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

172 cm
18
134 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Billy Ashley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rae Rafael!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Paulo Santos and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rafael drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rafael stands and throws Ashley's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ashley knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rafael on the ground.
Rafael tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Rafael has control of an arm but Ashley manages to advance to Rafael's back!
Rafael tries to escape the position.
Rafael wants to get back to his feet.
Rafael looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Rafael is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Ashley is staying active.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashley throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Ashley doesn't have the hooks in and Rafael manages to turn into his guard.
Ashley pulls Rafael in close to his closed guard and prevents Rafael from doing any damage or advancing position.
Rafael controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Ashley is trying to control the position but Rafael postures up.
Ashley might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rafael engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Rafael wants to get up but he can't break Ashley's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashley working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rafael.
Rafael controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rafael landing some decent shots from guard.
Rafael passes Ashley's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rafael is controlling the pace.
Ashley desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashley is trying to maintain the position but Rafael is very close to passing his half guard.
Ashley avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rafael.
Ashley moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rafael throws a big right hand that misses.
Rafael trying to control but Ashley is working from the bottom.
Rafael stopping the sweep attempt from Ashley.
Rafael wants to get up but he can't break Ashley's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Rafael gets a takedown into half guard.
Ashley wants to stand back up but Rafael manages to pass into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashley takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Ashley is looking for a sweep.
The referee asks Rafael politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Rafael prefers to stall for the moment though.
Rafael's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Rafael wants to stand but Ashley is controlling his arm.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ashley trying his best to control but Rafael has mounted him.
Rafael with shots to the head and body - Ashley looks very uncomfortable down there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rae Rafael dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rafael looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ashley!
Rafael just content to control the position.
Ashley is looking for a sweep.
Rafael lands a decent elbow from side control.
Rafael trying to control the position but Ashley is working away.
Rafael wants to stand but Ashley is controlling his arm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Ashley's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rafael has control of an arm but Ashley manages to advance to Rafael's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ashley gets his hands free as Rafael looks to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafael turns into Ashley and is now in his guard.
Rafael looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Rafael has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rafael passes into half guard.
Rafael seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rafael wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ashley keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rafael slows the pace down in half guard.
Rafael is looking to take a break and control but Ashley is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ashley is controlling Rafael's trapped leg to prevent Rafael from advancing to side control.
Ashley is pressing down on Rafael's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rafael wanted to stand there but Ashley had control of the position.

Ashley looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rafael passes into side control.
Rafael controlling from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rafael has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Ashley is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Rafael yanks on the arm and Ashley is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Rafael.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rae Rafael!