PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Taine Raharuhi (ranked 636 p4p, 83 weight class) and Joan Vila (ranked 1143 p4p, 138 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Raharuhi
vs
Vila

180 cm
27
165 lbs
21 - 8 - 2

170 cm
31
155 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

UnderGround Clothing Co.

FIGHTSPORT Apparel™
Urban Fighter

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 21 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Taine Raharuhi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joan Vila!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vila lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Vila is looking to score with low kicks.
A big right from Raharuhi misses.
Raharuhi defending well as Vila loads up on a big left hand.
Vila takes a swing at Raharuhi's ribcage but misses.
Raharuhi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vila throws out the jab.
Raharuhi tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Vila manages to circle out of the way.
Vila looks for the body kick but Raharuhi saw that one coming.
Vila swings for the body but Raharuhi moves out of range.
Vila walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Vila lands a nice shot to the body.
That kick from Vila tenderised Raharuhi's leg. Raharuhi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Vila swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vila lands a really nice looking cross but Raharuhi seems unphased.
Vila misses with a lunging right hand
and Raharuhi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Vila lands a nice hook to Raharuhi's body. Raharuhi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raharuhi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Vila finds it's way round the side to connect with Raharuhi's head.
Vila throws a right hand that misses
and Raharuhi counters with an inside leg kick.
Vila swings for the body but Raharuhi moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vila throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Raharuhi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Vila throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vila lands with a shot to the body.
Raharuhi misses the shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Raharuhi.
Raharuhi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vila.
Joan Vila seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vila rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Raharuhi counters with an outside leg kick.
Vila looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Raharuhi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Vila throws a poor cross that misses
and Raharuhi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vila takes a swing at Raharuhi's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Raharuhi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Raharuhi moves away from the strike by Vila.
It appears Raharuhi was looking to counter with a kick there.
Vila looks to land a body kick but Raharuhi moved away.
Vila misses with a looping right.
Vila throws out a loose jab but Raharuhi uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've been told by Raharuhi's head coaches at Runts Academy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Raharuhi throws a hook but Vila blocks it.
Vila throws a left and a right that both miss
and Raharuhi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice shot lands for Raharuhi.
Vila throws a big shot that misses.
Vila misses with an uppercut.
Vila drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A telegraphed right hand from Vila misses the target.
Raharuhi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vila manages to avoid it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Vila darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nice defenses there by Vila.
Vila misses with an uppercut.
Raharuhi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Vila's coach down at UnderGround Wrestling and Jiu Jitsu was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Vila's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Vila falls off balance throwing a combination
and Raharuhi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Vila thows a leg kick but Raharuhi checks it
and Raharuhi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vila throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Vila misses with a series of wild punches.
Vila moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Raharuhi.
Vila throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Raharuhi wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Raharuhi lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Vila throws a series of punches but Raharuhi avoids them all with ease.
Vila checks a leg kick nicely.
Raharuhi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vila.
Raharuhi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vila misses with a looping right.
Vila is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Vila tries to score with a low kick but Raharuhi moves his leg out of the way.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Vila.
Vila swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vila ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raharuhi moves away.
Vila lands a head shot.
Vila lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Raharuhi circles away quickly and effectively.
A slow jab from Raharuhi misses its intended target.
Raharuhi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Raharuhi lands a leg kick that knocks Vila off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vila connects with a high kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Vila.
Raharuhi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Raharuhi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Vila at a distance.
Vila throws a wild body kick that Raharuhi sees coming a mile off.
Vila fails to land with a series of punches.
Raharuhi connects with a leg kick. Vila looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Vila listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Vila swings away with a body shot that misses
and Raharuhi counters with a stiff right hand.
Raharuhi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vila's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Vila slips under a jab.
Vila looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vila moves out of range as Raharuhi strikes.
Vila sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Vila slips a jab and a cross from Raharuhi.
Vila jabs Raharuhi right on the nose. Raharuhi blinks but takes it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joan Vila dominated that round.
That's time! Raharuhi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Vila connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Raharuhi momentarily.
Raharuhi lands a leg kick that knocks Vila off balance momentarily.
Raharuhi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vila throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Raharuhi counters with a straight right hand.
Raharuhi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Raharuhi takes a swing at Vila's ribcage but misses.
Vila throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Raharuhi ducks right into an uppercut from Vila.
A big left from Raharuhi misses.
Vila is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Vila misses with a hook. Raharuhi ducked under it nicely.
Good shot there by Vila.
Joan Vila is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vila throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Raharuhi counters with a good low kick that Vila was not able to check.
Raharuhi throws a hook but Vila blocks it.
Despite the aggression on Vila's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Vila throws a push kick but Raharuhi slaps the foot to one side.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Raharuhi slips under a jab.
Vila throws a predictable looking body shot
and Raharuhi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raharuhi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Raharuhi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vila misses with a low kick.
As Vila tries to get set, Raharuhi tries to push him back and clinch up but Vila manages to avoid the attempt.
Raharuhi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vila.
A punch combination from Vila misses.
Raharuhi throws a sloppy head kick and Vila moves out of range easily.
Vila checks the leg kick nicely there.
Vila throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vila throws a body punch but Raharuhi moves out of range.
Vila avoids the body shot from Raharuhi.
A solid leg kick lands there for Raharuhi.
Vila shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Vila misses with a body kick.
Vila throws a head kick but Raharuhi moves out of range.
Vila looks to score with a jab to the body but Raharuhi is just out of range.
Vila misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raharuhi takes one to the side of the head.
Raharuhi defending well as Vila loads up on a big left hand.
Raharuhi half committed to a counter leg kick.
Raharuhi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Joan Vila seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A telegraphed right hand from Vila misses the target.
Good shot there by Vila.
Raharuhi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vila swings and misses with a hook to the body.
As Vila backs away, Raharuhi returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Vila is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Raharuhi.
Raharuhi works the jab nicely.
Vila misses with a lunging right hand
and Raharuhi counters with a stiff right hand.
Vila fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Raharuhi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A good leg kick by Raharuhi.
A left lands for Vila.
Vila has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vila looks to score with a jab to the body but Raharuhi is just out of range.
Some wild striking there from Vila.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vila attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Raharuhi.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Raharuhi.
Vila throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Raharuhi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Raharuhi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vila throws out the jab.
Vila throws a low kick, looking for Raharuhi's leg but Raharuhi calmly moves out of range.
Raharuhi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vila misses with a combination
and Raharuhi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Vila's knee momentarily.
Vila takes one to the chin there.
Raharuhi staying out of range there.
Vila throws a right hand that misses
and Raharuhi counters with an outside leg kick.
Vila looks to throw the jab but Raharuhi is out of range.
It looked like Raharuhi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Vila.
Vila misses with a double jab.
Vila thows a left - swing and a miss!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Vila misses the target.
Raharuhi lands a really nice looking cross but Vila seems unphased.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raharuhi misses the body punch
and Vila counters with a one-two to the body.
Raharuhi scores with a nice strike.
Raharuhi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Raharuhi lands a jab to the head.
Vila throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vila tries a head kick but it misses.
Vila takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Raharuhi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Vila. Vila circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The fighters circling - Raharuhi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vila throws a head kick but Raharuhi moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Raharuhi misses the target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vila throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Raharuhi counters with a good low kick that Vila was not able to check.
Raharuhi catches Vila with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Vila looks to land a right hand but Raharuhi moved out of range.
Raharuhi wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joan Vila will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Raharuhi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A punch combination from Vila misses.
Vila looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Vila looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Raharuhi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Raharuhi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Vila. That did some damage!
A big left from Raharuhi misses.
Vila misses with a lunging right hand
and Raharuhi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Raharuhi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vila moves away.
Vila steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Raharuhi. That one must have hurt.
Vila waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Raharuhi.
Raharuhi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Vila avoids a punch combination nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Raharuhi.
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!
Raharuhi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vila misses with a hook. Raharuhi ducked under it nicely.
Raharuhi paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Vila lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Raharuhi with a hook.
Raharuhi tries to move into range but Vila moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Raharuhi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Vila lands a right hook to the body.
Vila lands with a nice combination. Raharuhi backs away looking to recover.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raharuhi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Vila.
Raharuhi wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Vila gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Raharuhi.
Vila gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Raharuhi.
Vila throws a series of punches but Raharuhi avoids them all with ease.
Raharuhi moves out of range as Vila throws a body kick.
Vila looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vila takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Raharuhi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vila tried to score with a low kick but Raharuhi checks it.
Nice defenses there by Raharuhi.
Vila lands a jab.
Raharuhi lands a jab to the head.
Vila lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Raharuhi circles away quickly and effectively.
Raharuhi throws a shot from downtown. Vila moves away and avoids it.
Nice uppercut there from Vila.
Vila throws a series of punches but Raharuhi avoids them all with ease.
A looping hook to the body misses from Raharuhi. Vila does a little dance to reset his feet.
Raharuhi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Raharuhi slips a jab from Vila.
Raharuhi throws a good cross that connects.
Raharuhi checks a low kick from Vila.
Raharuhi half committed to a counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raharuhi staying out of range there.
Vila looks to throw a body kick
and Raharuhi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Raharuhi moves away from the strike by Vila.
Vila throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Raharuhi throws a front kick aimed at Vila's knee but Vila avoids it well.
Raharuhi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Vila's calf.
A head kick from Vila lands but Raharuhi takes it in his stride.
Vila keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Taine Raharuhi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raharuhi scores with a shot to the body.
Raharuhi blocks a head kick by Vila.
Vila looks to land a left hand but Raharuhi moved out of range nicely.
Raharuhi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Raharuhi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Raharuhi defending well as Vila loads up on a big left hand.
An inside leg kick from Raharuhi misses.
Vila shapes to counter with a head kick.
Vila 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.
Vila throws the left hand but Raharuhi avoids the punch easily.
Raharuhi scores with the left hand. Vila knows he should have avoided that one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vila lands with a kick to the temple. Raharuhi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Joan Vila is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vila misses with a left hand
and Raharuhi counters with a thumping low kick.

Raharuhi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Vila struggles to land a body shot inside as Raharuhi controls his hands.
Vila has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Raharuhi struggles to land a body shot inside as Vila controls his hands.
A frustrated look appears on Vila's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A hook to the body from Vila.
Raharuhi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Vilas head.
Raharuhi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Vila working hard to break the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vila is looking to break free of the clinch but Raharuhi has double underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vila.
Raharuhi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vila's elbow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Raharuhi.

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 Taine Raharuhi.
I think Vila has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Taine Raharuhi!
Taine Raharuhi decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
In defeat, Joan Vila stepped up to the mic, saying 'Salieri stopped these hands, but they will be back! '.