PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Heavy Rain (ranked 144 p4p, 23 weight class) and Link Gaetz (ranked 104 p4p, 14 weight class). Rain's entrance music is For Heavy Metal we will die!. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rain
vs
Gaetz

222 cm
33
252 lbs
25 - 11 - 0

194 cm
36
245 lbs
23 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
Aspire Clothing

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
Conviction

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 25 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Heavy Rain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Link Gaetz!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rain ducks under a wild hook from Gaetz.
Gaetz looks to land a body kick but Rain moved away.
Gaetz takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Rain throws a leg kick but Gaetz moved away.
Gaetz scores with a kick to the body.
Gaetz misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Rain counters with a stiff right hand.
Gaetz walks into a left hand.
Rain bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gaetz moves out of range of the body kick.
We've been told by Rain's head coaches at Heavy Metal that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Gaetz moves out of range of the body kick.
Rain is looking to land body kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rain throws an overhand right that lands on Gaetz's shoulder, as Gaetz tries to avoid the shot.
Rain misses with a body shot.
Rain ducks under a wild hook from Gaetz.
A little feinted left hand from Rain on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rain tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gaetz was well out of range. Poor timing from Rain.
Gaetz thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaetz tries to work over Rain's front leg with a kick but Rain checks it.
Rain quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Gaetz throws an off balance right hand
and Rain counters with a nice uppercut.
Rain walks forward, straight into a front kick from Gaetz.
Gaetz avoids the body shot from Rain.
Gaetz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rain.
Gaetz misses with a double jab
and Rain counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rain misses with a straight left.
Rain avoids the body shot from Gaetz.
Rain is looking to counter punch.
Gaetz connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Gaetz throws a shot from downtown. Rain moves away and avoids it.
Gaetz walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rain.
Gaetz looks to land a body kick but Rain moved away.
Gaetz scores with a shot to the body.
Link Gaetz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rain connects with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rain misses with a body punch
and Gaetz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gaetz fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rain has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rain lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gaetz backs up against the cage.
Gaetz moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Gaetz misses the target.
Rain was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rain misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rain tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gaetz was well out of range. Poor timing from Rain.
Rain avoids the body shot from Gaetz.
Gaetz chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rain can pounce on him.
Rain looks to score with a jab to the body but Gaetz is just out of range.
Rain tries to land a front kick but Gaetz steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Gaetz lands a slapping body shot.
Rain's corner calls for a 1-2. Rain obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rain takes a swing at Gaetz's ribcage but misses.
Rain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rain looks for the body kick but Gaetz saw that one coming.

Gaetz gets a clinch.
Rain looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rain is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rain can't find room to land a body shot as Gaetz controls the action.
Rain blocks an uppercut.
Rain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gaetz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rain blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gaetz throws a punch but it's blocked by Rain.
Rain blocks an uppercut.
Gaetz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gaetz misses with some punches.
Rain misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Rain breaks from the clinch.
The fighters circling - Rain throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rain throws a push kick but Gaetz slaps the foot to one side.
Gaetz flicks out a counter leg kick but Rain steps away.
A big right from Gaetz misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rain misses with a body shot.
Gaetz misses with a series of wild punches.
Gaetz looks for the body kick but Rain saw that one coming.
Gaetz throws a shot from downtown. Rain moves away and avoids it.

Gaetz moves into the clinch.
Gaetz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rain is leaning against Gaetz and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rain lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gaetz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rain is trying to force a seperation but Gaetz has the dominant position.
Gaetz misses with the head strike.
Rain lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gaetz backwards.
Rain misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gaetz tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Rain pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Heavy Rain will probably get the nod.
That's time! Rain's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gaetz throws a lazy uppercut
and Rain counters with a left and a right that stings Gaetz.
Rain throws a head kick that Gaetz semi-blocks.
Rain throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gaetz closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rain misses with a straight right.
Rain throws a body shot but no joy.
Rain on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Rain is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Rain throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Gaetz throws the left hand but Rain avoids the punch easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gaetz 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 Rain has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Rain and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rain cracks a nice hook into Gaetz's ribs.
Gaetz takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gaetz takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A lazy left from Gaetz finds it's target.
Rain is looking to wear down Gaetz with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Rain takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaetz misses with a hook. Rain ducked under it nicely.
Rain fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gaetz on the side of the head.
Rain throws a sloppy head kick and Gaetz moves out of range easily.
Rain wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Gaetz misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gaetz misses with an uppercut
and Rain counters with a two punch combo.
Gaetz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rain misses with a straight right.
Rain throws a series of punches but Gaetz avoids them all with ease.
Gaetz connects with a body shot.
A slow jab from Gaetz misses its intended target.
Rain takes a swing at Gaetz's ribcage but misses.
Gaetz throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rain on the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Donk. Gaetz catches Rain right on the button with a cross.
A nice combination there by Gaetz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rain lands a head shot.
A jab from Rain does it's job there.
Rain moves away from the strike by Gaetz.
Gaetz fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rain.
Rain throws a hook but Gaetz avoids it easily.
Gaetz throws out a counter right but Rain avoids it with no problem.
Rain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gaetz digs a good hook to Rain's body.
Rain is looking to slow Gaetz down with leg kicks.
Gaetz throws a leg kick but Rain sees it coming and moves out of range.
Rain walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gaetz looks to land a left hand but Rain moved out of range nicely.
Rain misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rain throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rain with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rain scores with a head kick. Gaetz tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gaetz thumps Rain with a low kick.

Gaetz closes the distance and pushes Rain back into the cage.
Rain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Rain breaks from the clinch.
Gaetz misses with a body punch
and Rain counters with a nice body shot.
Rain ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gaetz moves away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rain sizes up Gaetz with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Gaetz connects with a crisp jab.
Gaetz does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gaetz avoids the body shot from Rain.
Rain lands a nice looking body shot.
Gaetz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gaetz moves out of range as Rain strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rain looks to land a left hand but Gaetz moved out of range nicely.
Rain connects with a jab.
Gaetz scores with a nice right hand.
Rain really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Gaetz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rain.
Gaetz misses with a kick to the body.
Gaetz sizes up Rain with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Rain just misses with a punch to the body.
Rain on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gaetz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
That kick from Rain tenderised Gaetz's leg. Gaetz is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nice shot lands for Gaetz.
Heavy Rain is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gaetz throws an overhand right that lands on Rain's shoulder, as Rain tries to avoid the shot.
Rain throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rain throws a body shot but no joy.
Rain staying out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Heavy Rain dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Gaetz lands a jab to Rain's midsection.
Gaetz connects with the punch.
Rain swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rain throws a body punch but Gaetz moves out of range.
Gaetz throws a chopping leg kick but Rain manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rain feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Gaetz throws an overhand right that lands on Rain's shoulder, as Rain tries to avoid the shot.
Gaetz lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Sloppy strikes from Rain. Those never looked like landing.
Rain uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gaetz.
Rain misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaetz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Gaetz throws an overhand right that lands on Rain's shoulder, as Rain tries to avoid the shot.
Nice body punch from Gaetz.
Gaetz scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Rain tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rain lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gaetz.
Gaetz tries a head kick but it misses.
Rain fires out a quick counter leg kick but Gaetz just manages to avoid it.
Gaetz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rain swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Gaetz cracks Rain with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rain tries a head kick but it misses.
Rain uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rain takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gaetz gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rain.
Rain throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rain misses with a kick to the body.
Gaetz's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rain under the eye.
Rain wants to slow Gaetz down by chopping away at his legs.
Gaetz lands a nice hook to Rain's body. Rain takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Link Gaetz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Gaetz fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gaetz throws a wild body kick that Rain sees coming a mile off.
Gaetz jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gaetz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gaetz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gaetz misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Rain counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gaetz misses with a kick to the body
and Rain connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gaetz uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rain takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gaetz. Rain does a little dance to reset his feet.
It looked like Rain was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Gaetz.
Gaetz slips under a jab from Rain.
Rain lands a nice shot to the body.
Gaetz walks into a stiff left hand from Rain.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaetz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rain.
Rain moves out of range as Gaetz strikes.
Gaetz thows a left - swing and a miss!

Gaetz rushes Rain and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gaetz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gaetz prevents a body shot from Rain.
Rain has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Rain misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rain.
Gaetz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rain backwards.
Link Gaetz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rain.
Gaetz misses with some punches.
Rain lands a shoulder strike.
Rain is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gaetz blocks an uppercut.
Gaetz is working Rain over against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rain misses with a body punch.
Rain misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Gaetz.
Nice body punch from Gaetz.
Gaetz stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Gaetz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rain wants to break free but Gaetz has control.
Rain wants to break free but Gaetz has control.
Gaetz lands a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rain misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gaetz tries to work over Rain's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rain.
Gaetz lands with a left to the head.
A short body shot lands from Gaetz as the two fighters clinch.
Gaetz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Rain escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rain avoids the body shot from Gaetz.
Gaetz gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Rain counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rain bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Link Gaetz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rain has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Heavy Rain!
Heavy Rain 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.