PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bobby LeBeau (ranked 2476 p4p, 307 weight class) and Marko Rakic (ranked 3597 p4p, 406 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

LeBeau
vs
Rakic

185 cm
21
198 lbs
2 - 2 - 1

184 cm
22
195 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bobby LeBeau!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Marko Rakic!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LeBeau tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rakic was well out of range. Poor timing from LeBeau.
Rakic unleashes a big counter combination but LeBeau bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
LeBeau throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A punch combination from Rakic misses.
It looked like LeBeau was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Rakic blocks a jab.
LeBeau has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Doom's Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Horrible takedown attempt by LeBeau or perhaps it was just good defense by Rakic, which made it look bad.
Rakic looks like he wants to counter punch here.

LeBeau has taken the fight to the clinch.

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

Rakic shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rakic was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
LeBeau is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
LeBeau is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
LeBeau sneaks back into half guard.
LeBeau tries to get to full guard but Rakic has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBeau is working hard here to advance position.

Rakic stands up from half guard.

LeBeau moves into the clinch.
Rakic stalling against the cage.

LeBeau pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
LeBeau misses with a looping left.
LeBeau shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rakic but Rakic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
LeBeau fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bobby LeBeau. That's going to take a lot out of him.
LeBeau throws the kick towards the body but Rakic avoids it.
LeBeau takes a swing at Rakic's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeBeau connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rakic's hands.
No luck with that takedown attempt from LeBeau.
LeBeau scores with a hook to the body. Rakic takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rakic misses with a few strikes there.
Rakic misses with a few strikes there.
LeBeau connects with a leg kick. Rakic looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
LeBeau loads up on a big right hand but Rakic slips the punch.
Rakic with the counter takedown but LeBeau avoids it easily.
LeBeau shoots in for a double leg but Rakic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
LeBeau scores with a hook.
A shot to the liver by LeBeau. Beautiful body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from LeBeau misses the target.
Bobby LeBeau seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LeBeau throws the left hand but Rakic avoids the punch easily.
Rakic slips under a jab from LeBeau.
Rakic cracks LeBeau with a right hand to the side of the head.

It looks like Bobby LeBeau has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab from LeBeau.
LeBeau shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
LeBeau misses with a low kick as Rakic jumps back.
LeBeau rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rakic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Rakic shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rakic showed some decent athleticism there.
Rakic working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rakic is nestled in close to LeBeau, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rakic stalling.
LeBeau is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nice strikes from Rakic there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LeBeau has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rakic is working away from the top position though.
Rakic seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but LeBeau does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
LeBeau wants to improve his position but Rakic is controlling well.
Rakic is trying to control the action in half guard but LeBeau is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

LeBeau manages to escape and get back to his feet!
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!

Rakic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
LeBeau throws a punch but it's blocked by Rakic.
LeBeau wants a takedown but no success here.

LeBeau breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rakic takes one on the button.
Rakic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rakic unleashes a big counter combination but LeBeau bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby LeBeau dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bobby LeBeau's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

LeBeau misses with a double jab.
Despite the aggression on Rakic's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
A jab from LeBeau finds it's way through Rakic's defenses.
LeBeau rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and LeBeau takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
LeBeau lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
No joy there for Rakic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rakic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from LeBeau.
And Rakic tries to counter it with a takedown but LeBeau pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Rakic rushes LeBeau and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rakic leaning against his opponent.

LeBeau breaks from the clinch.

LeBeau forces Rakic back against the cage and clinches.
LeBeau fails to pull guard.

LeBeau pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
LeBeau scores with a nice head shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
LeBeau throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rakic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rakic misses with a few strikes there.
A counter left hand to the body from LeBeau misses its target.
A slow jab from LeBeau misses its intended target.
LeBeau swings away with a body shot that misses

and Rakic counters with a single leg into guard. LeBeau didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBeau is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rakic connects with a couple of short punches.
Rakic makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rakic working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rakic showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Rakic landing with the ground and pound.
LeBeau being controlled here, momentarily.
LeBeau is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakic is in close to LeBeau's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rakic makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Marko Rakic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rakic postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rakic working some strikes from top position.
Rakic lands a couple of decent looking shots.

LeBeau is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rakic is aware though and is defending well.
Rakic scoring with some ground and pound.
Rakic is working LeBeau over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

LeBeau is rocked!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rakic with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Oh LeBeau is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

LeBeau working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rakic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rakic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rakic scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakic chips away with some ground and pound.
Rakic with a nice head shot there.
Rakic with a nice head shot there.

LeBeau is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rakic wants to control from the top but LeBeau keeps moving.
LeBeau seems to have got his legs back now.
LeBeau tries to strike from the bottom.
Rakic postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakic cracks LeBeau with a solid left hand.

LeBeau is looking for a triangle but Rakic pushes his legs off easily.
Rakic scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
LeBeau tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rakic is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
LeBeau is trying to control the position but Rakic postures up.
Rakic trying to control the position from guard on top but LeBeau is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
LeBeau can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rakic controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Rakic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bobby LeBeau's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Rakic closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. LeBeau quickly recovers to half guard.

LeBeau pushes Rakic off and gets back to his feet.

Rakic shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

LeBeau pushes Rakic off and scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rakic looking to score a takedown here. LeBeau is defending well but Rakic drives through and ends up in LeBeau's guard.
Rakic is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rakic scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rakic landing some decent shots from guard.
Rakic controlling from the top position.

LeBeau looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakic working some strikes from top position.
Rakic makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rakic with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rakic lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rakic cracks LeBeau with a solid left hand.
Rakic stays in close to LeBeau's body and controls the position.
Rakic works over LeBeau with some ground and pound from guard.
Rakic distracts LeBeau with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rakic keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of LeBeau's head.
Rakic lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeBeau wants to sweep but no luck.
LeBeau wants to stand up but Rakic is controlling him.
Rakic scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rakic lands a couple of digs.
LeBeau trying to keep a closed guard but Rakic is proving a slippery customer.
LeBeau looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Rakic is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rakic lands a couple of elbows.
LeBeau working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakic wants to control from the top but LeBeau keeps moving.
Rakic postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rakic cracks LeBeau with a solid left hand.
Rakic lands a couple of digs.
Rakic gets to his feet and stands over LeBeau, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! LeBeau felt that one! Rakic unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save LeBeau from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Marko Rakic!