PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tyrus Russell (ranked 4597 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Raine (ranked 5869 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Russell
vs
Raine

193 cm
25
245 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

205 cm
24
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tyrus Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kevin Raine!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Dirk Anderson and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raine misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Russell.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Raine.
Raine throws a sloppy head kick and Russell moves out of range easily.
Raine fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Russell is out of range.

Raine clinches up with Russell and pushes him back against the cage.

Russell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Raine avoids a punch combination nicely.
Raine wants to counter the offense by Russell and move into the clinch position.
Raine throws a head kick but Russell moves out of range.
Kevin Raine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raine misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Raine has taken the fight to the clinch.

Russell breaks from the clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Russell.
Raine pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raine throws a combination that misses
letting Russell counter with a right hand.
Sloppy strikes from Russell. Those never looked like landing.
Russell misses with a two punch combination.
Russell pushes Raine away with a front kick.
Raine misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As Raine looks to move away, Russell throws a big counter combo but Raine just gets out of the way.

Raine has closed the distance and engaged Russell in a clinch.

Raine manages to break the clinch.
Russell throws a head kick that misses.
Russell throws a right and a left that Raine avoids nicely.
Raine throws a lazy head kick
and Russell counters with a three punch combo that has Raine backing up. Raine nods at Russell to acknowledge the strikes.
Raine thuds a left hand into Russell's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raine looks for the body kick but Russell saw that one coming.
As Raine looks to move away, Russell throws a big counter combo but Raine just gets out of the way.
Raine has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Raine throws a lazy body kick
and Russell counters with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Raine.
Raine looks winded!
Raine throws a sloppy head kick
and Russell counters with a three punch combo that has Raine backing up. Raine nods at Russell to acknowledge the strikes.
Russell throws a head kick that half lands.
Raine misses with a takedown attempt - Russell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Russell moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Raine with a poor takedown
and Russell counters with a series of strikes. Raine will be more careful next time no doubt.
Tyrus Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Raine.
Raine wants to clinch
and Russell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Russell lands a front kick.
Russell misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raine darts in and clinches Russell up against the cage.
Raine wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Russell breaks the clinch.
Raine throws a sloppy head kick and Russell moves out of range easily.
Russell lands a head kick!
Raine misses with a takedown attempt - Russell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Raine takes a kick to the side of the head.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Raine 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 Russell has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Russell and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Russell is looking for a counter combo.
Russell wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raine slips a jab and a cross from Russell.
Left hook, right uppercut from Russell.
Raine looks to throw a body kick
and Russell counters with a body kick.
Raine throws a sloppy head kick and Russell moves out of range easily.
Russell tried to counter with a leg kick but Raine avoided it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Russell throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Raine is looking to clinch.

Raine closes the distance and clinches.

Russell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Raine tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Russell misses with a two punch combination.
Russell lands a two punch combo.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Raine throws a head kick that misses.
Raine stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Russell.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrus Russell dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Raine fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Raine misses with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Russell lands a head kick!

Raine clinches up with Russell and pushes him back against the cage.

Russell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A thudding body kick lands there by Russell!
Russell connects with a high kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russell throws a head kick that misses.
Raine is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Russell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Russell misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raine dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Russell as Raine shoots in.
It looked like Russell was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Raine is breathing heavily.
Raine throws a right and a left that Russell avoids nicely.
Raine throws a sloppy head kick and Russell moves out of range easily.
Russell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Russell misses with a head kick.
Raine throws a head kick that misses.
That kick from Russell tenderised Raine's leg. Raine is trying to keep his angry face on.
Raine tries for a takedown but Russell circles away easily
and Russell counters with a two punch combo.
Tyrus Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Raine.

Raine moves into the clinch.

Russell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raine throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Russell lands a jab-cross combination.
Russell is working the combinations to good effect 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!
Russell scores with a head kick. Raine tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Crunch! Russell slams his shin into Raine's torso.
Tyrus Russell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Raine throws a head kick that misses
and Russell counters with a two punch combo.
Russell will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Russell lands a nice shot to the body.
Russell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Russell seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Russell throws a head kick that Raine semi-blocks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raine fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Russell lands with a thumping leg kick.
Russell lands a head kick. Raine smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Russell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Raine can do to turn this around?
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Russell - that will leave a mark!
Russell scores with a head kick.
Raine has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Russell.
Russell throws a sloppy head kick and Raine moves out of range easily.

Raine clinches up against the cage.

Russell breaks from the clinch.
Russell will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
As Russell backs off Raine throws a huge counter combo but Russell manages to avoid it all.
Raine misses with the body kick
and Russell counters with a series of strikes. Raine will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell lets loose with a powerful body kick. Raine will feel that in the morning.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Russell throws a right hand that Raine ducks under and follows up with a left that Raine also avoids with ease.

Russell gets tackled into the cage by Raine. Raine maintains the clinch.

Russell breaks the clinch.
Raine pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Russell lands with a kick to the ribs.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Russell here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Russell lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Russell.
Russell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Russell lands a head kick!
Raine takes a head kick and keeps coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrus Russell dominated that second round.
That's time! Russell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Russell plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Raine misses with a head kick.
Raine throws a head kick but Russell moves out of range.
Raine tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Russell defends well and Raine ends up having to push Russell into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Russell gets tackled into the cage by Raine. Raine maintains the clinch.

Russell breaks from the clinch.
Russell displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Russell buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Raine blocks a head kick by Russell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Raine clinches with his opponent.

Russell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Raine takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Raine tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell lands with a kick to the ribs.
Raine misses with a head kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Russell!
Russell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Russell lands with a good body shot.
Raine doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Russell counters with a one-two to the body.
Raine is trying desperately to land a takedown but Russell is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Raine.
Russell scores with a kick to the midsection.
Tyrus Russell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Russell throws a sloppy head kick and Raine moves out of range easily.
Russell lands with a slapping head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russell throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Raine.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Russell. Raine shrugs it off though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell stalks Raine and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Raine's face. Raine staggers backwards, shaken.
Raine misses with a two punch combination.
Raine shoots in for a takedown but Russell shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tyrus Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Raine.
Russell lands a leg kick that knocks Raine off balance momentarily.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Russell.
Russell scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
That kick from Russell tenderised Raine's leg. Raine is trying to keep his angry face on.
Raine misses with a two punch combination.
Russell throws a right and a left that Raine avoids nicely.
Raine gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Russell throws a right hand that Raine ducks under and follows up with a left that Raine also avoids with ease.
Tyrus Russell is winning the standup battle so far.
Russell misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Raine.
It looked like Russell was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Russell stalks Raine and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Raine's face. Raine staggers backwards, shaken.
Russell lands with a slapping head kick.
Russell displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Raine avoids the head kick by Russell.
A combination from Raine does no damage.
Russell throws a nice head kick!
Russell throws a series of punches but Raine avoids them all with ease.
Raine throws a lazy head kick
and Russell counters with a right hand to the body.
Russell scores with a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Russell throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raine stalks Russell and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Russell's face. Russell staggers backwards, shaken.
Russell throws a nice looking combination but Raine bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Russell throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Raine has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Russell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kevin Raine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Russell tries a head kick but it misses.
Raine is looking to land body kicks.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Russell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Russell lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Tyrus Russell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Raine fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Russell is out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyrus Russell showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Russell, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 David Hoff scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyrus Russell!