PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Riza Rakija (ranked 1632 p4p, 199 weight class) and Brother Firetribe (ranked 1913 p4p, 228 weight class). Rakija comes into the arena with Rakija blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rakija
vs
Firetribe

174 cm
37
167 lbs
19 - 15 - 2

180 cm
43
169 lbs
48 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Powerful

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 19 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Riza Rakija!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 48 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Brother Firetribe!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rakija keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Firetribe throws a body kick that misses.
Firetribe misses with a two punch combination.
Firetribe moves out of range as Rakija strikes.
Rakija looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Firetribe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rakija throwing a counter right hand but Firetribe manages to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Firetribe.
Firetribe throws a leg kick which misses Rakija's front leg but catches the back leg as Rakija tries to avoid it.
Rakija misses with a jab to the body
and Firetribe counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Rakija rushes Firetribe and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rakija stalling against the cage.
A knee to the head by Firetribe.
Firetribe taking a breather.
Firetribe tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rakija tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Firetribe misses with a knee strike.
Rakija working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Firetribe lands a body punch.
Rakija blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakija fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Firetribe tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Firetribe.
Firetribe trying to land knees to the body.
Rakija lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rakija tries a body shot but Firetribe blocks it.
Firetribe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rakija working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rakija avoids a wild elbow strike from Firetribe.
Firetribe tries a body shot but Rakija blocks it.
Rakija fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Firetribe is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rakija is keeping busy.
Come on Firetribe - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Rakija throws a punch but it's blocked by Firetribe.
Firetribe is struggling to control the position.
Rakija fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Firetribe lands a nice elbow.
Firetribe stalling in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rakija.
Rakija misses with a body punch.
Rakija working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Firetribe throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Firetribe fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Firetribe.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rakija.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Firetribe creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rakija's defenses.
A nice left hand lands by Rakija.
Rakija swings wildly with an uppercut but Firetribe uses good head movement to avoid it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Firetribe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rakija misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rakija blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Firetribe connects with a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Rakija fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakija just leaning against Firetribe, taking a breather.
Rakija scores with a shoulder strike.
Rakija lands a body punch.
Firetribe is looking to control Rakija's arms but Rakija gets an underhook and turns him. Now Firetribe has his back to the cage.
Rakija makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rakija cracks Firetribe with a nice body shot.
Rakija misses with the head strike.
Rakija lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rakija takes a knee right on the jaw!
Firetribe doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Firetribe tries to land knees in the clinch but Rakija avoids the damage to the body.
Rakija lands with a light punch inside.
Rakija working aggressively here.

Rakija breaks the clinch.
Good exchange - Rakija coming out on top.

Rakija clinches up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Firetribe stalling in the clinch but Rakija improves position.
Rakija pushes Firetribe back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Firetribe looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Firetribe throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rakija lands a left hand.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rakija creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Rakija's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rakija moves out of range of the body kick from Firetribe.
Good shot there by Rakija.
Firetribe throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Rakija counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Firetribe misses with a head kick.
It looked like Rakija was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Firetribe.

Rakija throws a left that rocks Firetribe and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Rakija dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Firetribe regain composure!

Firetribe is rocked!

It looks like Brother Firetribe has been cut.

Rakija is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Firetribe is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Firetribe is still in real trouble! Can Rakija finish him?
Firetribe trying to control but Rakija flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rakija looking to break Firetribe's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Firetribe remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Rakija will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Rakija looking for the RNC.

Rakija looking for the RNC.
Firetribe seems to have recovered his senses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Firetribe won't enjoy being in this position. Rakija looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Firetribe is tapping - it's over boys! Rakija picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Riza Rakija!
A relieved looking Riza Rakija thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.