PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Edison Houston (ranked 24956 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antun Racic (ranked 4631 p4p, 0 weight class). Edison Houston is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Houston
vs
Racic

178 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

165 cm
23
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Edison Houston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Antun Racic!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, John Kavanagh and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Racic shoots in for a takedown but Houston shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Racic misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Houston is defended easily by Racic.

Houston moves into range and clinches up with Racic.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Houston tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Racic jumps into guard, dragging Houston to the mat.
Racic pulls Houston in close to his closed guard and prevents Houston from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houston pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Racic is keeping the position for now.

Racic has his foot on Houston's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Houston works his way back into a safe position though.
Racic controlling Houston's posture.
Racic wants to improve his position but instead Houston has moved into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Racic keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Houston is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Racic is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Houston's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Houston's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Racic has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Houston has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Racic is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Houston is in bad spot here.
Racic is looking to finish with some ground and pound!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houston is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Racic is looking for the choke from the back position but Houston is controlling his hands well.

Racic looking for the choke from the back.
Racic has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Houston's body.
Let's hope that Racic has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Racic gets his hands free as Houston looks to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Houston throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Racic fails with the takedown
and Houston counters with a one-two to the body.
Edison Houston is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Houston moves in looking to clinch but Racic pushes him off.
Houston swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Racic counters by moving into the clinch.

Houston is fighting off a takedown attempt but Racic is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Houston to the mat. Houston regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Racic is stalling in the full guard.
Racic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Houston is trying to control the position but Racic postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Racic is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Racic.
Yet more stalling tactics from Racic.
Racic tries to stand but Houston is controlling from the bottom.
Houston avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Houston misses with a double jab.
Houston throws a left and a right that both miss
and Racic makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Houston looks for a takedown but Racic sprawls well.
Racic darts in looking for a takedown but Houston gets double underhooks and turns Racic into the cage.
Houston really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Houston shoots for a double leg takedown but Racic sprawls well. He's pushed Houston's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Racic closes the distance and clinches up with Houston, looking for a takedown. Racic pushes Houston against the cage but Houston circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Houston throws a big counter combination but Racic scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Edison Houston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antun Racic.

Houston fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Racic to the ground. Houston is now in Racic's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Racic has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Racic wants to get back to his feet but Houston is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Racic seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Racic has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Houston can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Houston trying to control the position from guard on top but Racic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Antun Racic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Houston's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Houston shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Racic as he avoids it easily.
Racic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Houston.
Racic drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Houston defends it well.

Racic is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Houston's half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Racic in particular looking to stall.
Houston is looking to control Racic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Houston avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Racic content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Houston has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Racic is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Racic seems content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Racic feints a jab promting Houston to slip. Racic then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Houston slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Houston is rocked!

It looks like Edison Houston has been cut.
Houston misses with a jab to the body

and Racic counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Racic.
Oh Houston is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Racic manages to break the clinch.

Racic dives in and gets a big takedown. He lands in full mount and immediately unloads a series of heavy strikes! Houston has had enough and taps out.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Antun Racic!