PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Derk Voorheis (ranked 1870 p4p, 1871 weight class) and Agansing Rai (ranked 263 p4p, 264 weight class). Rai has chosen Wolf Totem as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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?

Voorheis
vs
Rai

184 cm
19
180
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
170
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Derk Voorheis!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Agansing Rai!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Voorheis chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rai can pounce on him.
Voorheis walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Voorheis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rai stalks Voorheis and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Voorheis's face. Voorheis staggers backwards, shaken.
A low kick from Rai misses

and Voorheis counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Voorheis.
Voorheis stands up over Rai, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Voorheis trying to control but Rai is working from the bottom.
Rai wants to control the position but Voorheis says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Voorheis is trying to control the action in half guard but Rai is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Voorheis drops an elbow to the side of Rai's head.
Voorheis throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Rai to regain full guard.
Voorheis throws a strike but Rai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rai must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Voorheis keeping moving, preventing Rai from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rai tries to free his leg and advance position but Voorheis is retaining full guard.

Rai postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Voorheis is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Rai, into his guard.

Voorheis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rai keeping moving, preventing Voorheis from controlling successfully.
Voorheis is working Rai over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Voorheis postures up in Rai's guard and throws a big left but Rai blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rai wants to sweep here but Voorheis controlling him for the moment.
Voorheis postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Voorheis with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rai keeping full guard, as Voorheis tries to pass.
Voorheis missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Voorheis with a flurry of punches that miss.
Voorheis controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rai working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Voorheis is one step ahead there.
Voorheis stands and throws Rai's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Voorheis working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Voorheis is looking to take a break and control but Rai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Voorheis working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Voorheis landing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Voorheis lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Rai down.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Voorheis working the head and body with strikes.
Voorheis lands a decent elbow from side control.
Voorheis has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rai sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Voorheis is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Voorheis is trying to control. Rai wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rai is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Voorheis scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rai is looking to get back to full guard here but Voorheis has managed to pass to side control instead.
Rai has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Rai takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Voorheis cracks Rai with a big right hand but Rai just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rai scores with a nice strike.
Rai will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Voorheis tries to counter with a takedown but Rai is quick to defend against it.
Voorheis walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nice jab there from Rai.
Rai is looking to clinch but Voorheis is avoiding it.
Rai wants to clinch.
Rai scores with a nice head shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd cheers as Rai lands an impressive looking overhand right. Voorheis doesn't seem phased though.
Rai scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Voorheis dives in and grabs Rai's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rai pushes down on Voorheis's head and hops out.
Voorheis throws a hook to the side of Rai's head but Rai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Voorheis takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Voorheis fails with the takedown
and Rai counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Voorheis walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Rai changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Voorheis closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Voorheis lands in his opponent's guard.
Voorheis postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Voorheis wants to control from the top but Rai keeps moving.
Rai wants to get back to his feet but Voorheis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Voorheis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rai controls Voorheis momentarily but Voorheis frees himself.
Voorheis working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Voorheis pushes down on Rai's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Voorheis throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rai wants to get back to his feet.
Voorheis sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rai defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Voorheis scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Voorheis looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rai with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rai makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rai.
Voorheis wants to control from the top but Rai keeps moving.
Voorheis lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Voorheis working some strikes from top position.
Rai is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Voorheis throws an elbow that misses. Rai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Voorheis's guard. Nice move by Rai!

Voorheis keeping moving, preventing Rai from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Voorheis is keeping the position for now.
Rai wants to stand but Voorheis is controlling his posture from full guard.
Voorheis keeping moving, preventing Rai from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Voorheis trying to control the position here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Agansing Rai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rai lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Voorheis fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
It seemed like Rai was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Rai lands the left hand.
Rai fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Voorheis looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Good shot there by Rai.
Agansing Rai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rai thuds his right hand into Voorheis's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Voorheis misses with a hook.
A left lands for Rai.
A jab from Rai finds it's way through Voorheis's defenses.
Rai jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rai lands with a shot to the body.
Voorheis with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rai to score with a decent uppercut.
Voorheis misses with a right hand
and Rai counters with a straight right hand.
No luck for Voorheis with that takedown attempt.
Rai fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Rai jabs Voorheis to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Voorheis misses with a takedown
and Rai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Derk Voorheis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rai lands a slapping body shot.
Voorheis shoots in looking for a takedown but Rai manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Voorheis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rai sizes up Voorheis with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rai cracks Voorheis with an open hand slap.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Voorheis walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Voorheis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice straight punches there by Rai. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rai.
Good exchange - Rai coming out on top.
Rai paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Voorheis takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rai moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice shot by Rai.
Rai jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nice cross by Rai.

Rai has closed the distance and engaged Voorheis in a clinch.

Rai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Voorheis takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Voorheis misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rai! But no joy.
Voorheis shoots and misses
and Rai counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rai connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Voorheis takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rai getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Voorheis takes a jab right on the kisser.
Voorheis misses with a hook. Rai ducked under it nicely.
Rai fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Voorheis with a poor takedown
enabling Rai to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Voorheis gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A bone on bone clash there as Voorheis blocks the leg kick.
Voorheis changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rai fails to land with a series of punches.
Voorheis swings widly with a right hand
and Rai counters with a nice uppercut.
Jab from Rai.
Rai scores with a jab.

Voorheis scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rai being controlled for a moment.
Rai on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rai struggling a bit here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Agansing Rai really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Rai scores with a jab.
Voorheis takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rai misses with a low kick.
Voorheis feinted with a counter takedown.
Rai lunges at Voorheis with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Voorheis's hand.
Rai lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Voorheis backs up against the cage.
Voorheis throws a lazy right hand but Rai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Voorheis feints and as Rai raises his hands in defense, Voorheis changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Voorheis wants to pass the guard but Rai is keeping the position.
Rai is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Voorheis is controlling him.
Voorheis tries to free his leg and advance position but Rai is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Voorheis is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Rai looking for a guillotine here but Voorheis defends easily.
Rai utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Voorheis wants to control from the top but Rai keeps moving.

Rai working for a triangle but Voorheis defends it easily.
Voorheis stands up over Rai, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rai lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Rai is looking to pass into half guard but Voorheis pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Voorheis is in guard.

Rai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Voorheis scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Voorheis passes Rai's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Voorheis takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Voorheis in particular looking to stall.
Voorheis sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rai defending well though.
Rai has hold of Voorheis's hands but Voorheis slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rai wants to get back to his feet.
Derk Voorheis overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Voorheis missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Rai is defending against the submission attempts here by Voorheis.
Voorheis working Rai over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Voorheis scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Rai on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Voorheis takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Voorheis is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Voorheis is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Voorheis trying to control from half guard but Rai is working away.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Voorheis lands a nice short elbow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Derk Voorheis had his way with Agansing Rai in that round.
That's time! Voorheis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Rai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Voorheis throws out the jab.
Voorheis takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Voorheis fails with the takedown
and Rai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rai works Voorheis's body with a nice hook.
Rai connects with a good right hand that stumbles Voorheis. Voorheis circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Voorheis goes for a double leg but Rai avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rai continues to drive forward.
Rai throws out a counter right but Voorheis avoids it with no problem.

Rai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Voorheis gets the takedown into side control.
Rai struggling a bit here.
Rai is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Voorheis works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Voorheis fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Rai is looking for a sweep.
The referee asks Voorheis politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Voorheis prefers to stall for the moment though.
Voorheis misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Voorheis working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rai manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rai trying to mount his opponent but Voorheis defends it.
Voorheis keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Voorheis won't allow Rai to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Voorheis is concentrating on defense, preventing Rai from advancing position.
Voorheis slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rai is looking to stand up but Voorheis won't let him.

Rai has gone for a leg lock! Voorheis slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rai's guard.

Rai wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Voorheis is now in half guard.
Voorheis wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rai keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Voorheis prevents Rai from improving his position.
Voorheis trying to control the action but Rai is working from the bottom.
Voorheis working Rai over with strikes.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Voorheis connects with a nice short shot to Rai's temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Voorheis working the head and body with strikes.
Voorheis takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Voorheis is stalling here. Rai is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Voorheis seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Rai has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Agansing Rai.
I think Rai 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 46:48
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 46:48
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 46:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Agansing Rai!
Agansing Rai is the new welterweight champion!
After the big win, Agansing Rai made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.