PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Rajic (ranked 5415 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kimbo Slive (ranked 5272 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.

Rajic
vs
Slive

180 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Roberto Rajic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kimbo Slive!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Chris Dean and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Slive. Those never looked like landing.
Rajic attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Rajic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Slive.
Rajic tries to counter by clinching up but Slive breaks away and moves out of range.
Rajic tries for a takedown but Slive circles away easily

and Slive counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rajic leaning against his opponent.
Slive tries to pull guard but Rajic won't allow it.
Slive will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rajic up against the cage.

Slive pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Slive moves into the clinch.
Rajic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Slive fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Slive circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slive misses with a few strikes there.
Slive feints a jab promting Rajic to slip. Slive then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Rajic slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Slive throws a body punch but Rajic moves out of range.
Rajic lands a right hook to the body.
Rajic tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Slive swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roberto Rajic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rajic tries for a takedown but Slive sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rajic fails with a takedown attempt.
Slive shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rajic as he jumps to the side.
Slive throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rajic.

Slive has managed to clinch.
Rajic jumps guard but Slive turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slive is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Stalling in the clinch from Slive.
Slive digs a right hand into Rajic's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rajic's gas tank.

Slive breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rajic tries to clinch but Slive moves out of range.
Rajic tries to land a front kick but Slive steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Slive closes the distance and clinches.
A bit of stalling here from Rajic.
Slive tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rajic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Slive pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Slive manages to break the clinch.
Slive fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rajic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Slive's waist but Slive gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rajic off to one side.
Rajic is breathing heavily.
Rajic shoots in for a double leg but Slive sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rajic walks into a stiff left hand from Slive.
Rajic throws a half hearted mid kick.

Slive takes the fight into the clinch.

Slive's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Slive with a jab.
Slive shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Rajic eats them both and turns towards Slive to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Slive drives through and clinches with Rajic against the cage.

Slive breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rajic misses with a head kick.
A jab from Slive finds it's way through Rajic's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rajic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Slive sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rajic somewhat.
Slive getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Slive throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rajic's waist but Rajic gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Slive off to one side.
A nice leg kick lands there from Slive.

Slive clinches up with Rajic and pushes him back against the cage.
Rajic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Slive breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Slive dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Slive closes the distance and clinches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Slive.

Slive breaks the clinch.
Slive scores with the left hand. Rajic knows he should have avoided that one.
Rajic tries to clinch but Slive is having none of it.
Slive tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rajic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Slive has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rajic shoots in looking for a takedown but Slive manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rajic's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice takedown defense from Slive. No joy for Rajic on that attempt.

Rajic moves into range and clinches up with Slive.
Rajic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Slive backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slive avoiding damage.
Stalling in the clinch from Slive.
Rajic misses with a hook to the ribs.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Slive comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Slive breaks from the clinch.
Rajic darts in trying to clinch
and Slive counters with a two punch combo.
Roberto Rajic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slive tries to bum rush Rajic with a series of wild strikes but Rajic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rajic misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roberto Rajic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rajic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Slive closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kimbo Slive seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Slive manages to break the clinch.
Slive shoots in for a double leg but Rajic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Slive looks to land a combination but Rajic avoids it well.
It looked like Rajic was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Rajic shoots in but no luck this time.
A countering left hand to the body from Slive misses.
Slive circles away from the clinch attempt
and Slive counters with a one-two to the body.
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!
Slive scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Slive clinches up against the cage.
Rajic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rajic is trying to break the clinch but Slive is controlling him.

Slive's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Rajic tries to keep at a distance but Slive has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rajic tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Slive smiles and moves away.
Rajic tries to clinch but Slive is having none of it.

Rajic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Slive pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Slive rushes Rajic and presses him up against the cage.

Slive pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Slive.

Rajic clinches.
Slive lands a nice elbow.

Slive breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Slive scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Slive displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rajic.

Slive forces Rajic back against the cage and clinches.

Slive breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Slive slaps away a takedown attempt from Rajic, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A little jabbing left from Slive on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Slive showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Slive goes for a double leg but Rajic avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rajic continues to drive forward.

Slive clinches.

Slive manages to break the clinch.
Slive tries to clinch up but Rajic circles away and keeps his distance.
Slive tries to bum rush Rajic with a series of wild strikes but Rajic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rajic tries to clinch up.
Rajic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rajic tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Slive manages to circle out of the way.
Slive lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rajic circles away quickly and effectively.

Rajic gets tackled into the cage by Slive. Slive maintains the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Slive breaks from the clinch.

Slive moves into the clinch successfully.
Rajic wants a takedown.

Slive's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Slive moves into range and clinches up with Rajic.
Slive gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Slive keeps control of Rajic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rajic looking to throw knees to the head but Slive is blocking nicely.

Slive pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rajic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Slive but Slive pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Slive! But no joy.
Slive just misses with a punch to the body.

Slive moves into the clinch successfully.
Slive is struggling to control the position.
Rajic jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Slive walks away with a smile on his face. Rajic gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roberto Rajic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rajic throws a sloppy head kick and Slive moves out of range easily.
Rajic tries a head kick but it misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rajic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Slive looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rajic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Slive paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rajic tries to land a front kick but Slive steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Slive lands with a straight right. Rajic didn't see that one coming.

Slive closes the distance and pushes Rajic back into the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rajic throws an elbow but misses.
Slive avoiding damage.
Rajic stalling in the clinch but Slive improves position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slive on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Slive breaks from the clinch.
Rajic tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Slive defends well and Rajic ends up having to push Slive into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kimbo Slive is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rajic throws the kick towards the body but Slive avoids it.

Slive drives through and clinches with Rajic against the cage.
Rajic tries to circle away but Slive has him pinned against the cage.

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

Slive moves into the clinch successfully.
Slive comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Slive manages to break the clinch.

Slive clinches.
Rajic is trying to pull guard but Slive turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Slive.

Slive pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Slive tests Rajic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rajic tries a head kick but it misses.
Rajic takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Slive moves into the clinch.

Slive gets control of Rajic's arms and successfully pulls guard. Slive will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Rajic won't allow Slive to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Slive is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Slive pushes Rajic off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kimbo Slive comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Slive has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kimbo Slive!