PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Darken Rahl (ranked 1689 p4p, 1025 weight class) and Justin Case (ranked 103 p4p, 59 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?

Rahl
vs
Case

168 cm
31
146
12 - 7 - 1

166 cm
26
143
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conquer
Brooklyn Apothecary

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 12 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Darken Rahl!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Justin Case!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Jonathan Paton and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rahl lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Case backs up against the cage.
Rahl moves out of range of the body kick.
Rahl swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Rahl fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Case sprawls well initially but Rahl persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rahl trying to control the action but Case is working from the bottom.
Case is trying to get back to full guard.
Rahl is trying to control the action in half guard but Case is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Case is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rahl is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Case blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rahl.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Case keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rahl throws a strike but Case avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Rahl trying to control but Case is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rahl accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Rahl trying to control the position from guard on top but Case is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Case takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Case lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Case jabs Rahl to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Justin Case is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rahl checks a leg kick nicely.
Rahl is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Case.
Case jabs at Rahl's body.
Case scores with a body shot.
Case throws a wild body kick that Rahl sees coming a mile off.
Rahl moves out of range of the body kick from Case.
Case's corner calls for a 1-2. Case obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rahl fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
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!
Case scores with a body shot.
Rahl uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Case.
Nice takedown defense from Case. No joy for Rahl on that attempt.
Case throws a low kick but Rahl moves out of range easily.
Case lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Case bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Case pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rahl swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Justin Case seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Case misses.
It looked like Rahl was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Case.
Case misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rahl.
Case scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Rahl looks for a takedown but Case sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darken Rahl. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Case misses.
Case is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rahl rather than just go for the knockout.
Rahl moves in looking to clinch but Case pushes him off.
Case throws a combination. Rahl tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Case stuns Rahl with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Case misses with a body punch
letting Rahl counter with a right hand.
Rahl throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Case throws a low kick, looking for Rahl's leg but Rahl calmly moves out of range.
Case scores with a nice head shot.
Case keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahl takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rahl will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rahl bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Case throws a hook but Rahl blocks it.
Rahl lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A left lands for Rahl.
Case ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rahl misses with a low kick.
Rahl takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Case looks to land a left hand but Rahl moved out of range nicely.
Rahl cracks Case with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rahl tries to move into range but Case moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Case moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Rahl manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Case on his heels. He'll look to pass Case's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rahl throws an elbow that misses. Case uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rahl's guard. Nice move by Case!

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Case bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rahl's head backwards.
Case takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rahl swings away with a body shot that misses
and Case counters with a one-two to the body.

Rahl is rocked!
It looks like Rahl has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rahl checks a leg kick.
Rahl swings for the body but Case moves out of range.
Case tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rahl was well out of range. Poor timing from Case.
Case lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Case scores with a jab.
Rahl fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Case checks it well.
A nice inside leg kick there by Case. That's going to slow Rahl down.
Rahl scores with a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab lands there for Case.
Case has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Rahl throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rahl throws a looping overhand right but Case ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahl misses with a hook
and Case counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A bone on bone clash there as Rahl blocks the leg kick.
Rahl throws a big counter combination but Case scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Case takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Rahl feints and as Case raises his hands in defense, Rahl changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rahl throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Case is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rahl is fighting to break Case's control of his arms but Case is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Rahl throws an elbow that misses. Case uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rahl's guard. Nice move by Case!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Case stopping the sweep attempt from Rahl.
Rahl working a defensive guard here.
Rahl has control of Case's left arm, preventing Case from doing any damage.
Rahl looking to hit a scissor sweep but Case is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rahl had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Case defends it easily.
Rahl seems keen to control Case's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Case fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rahl is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rahl lands a nice shot to the body.
Rahl misses with a hook. Case ducked under it nicely.
Case avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Rahl drives through with a takedown into Case's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Case has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Rahl off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Case throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rahl sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Case takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Case lands a front kick.
Case drops his hands momentarily and Rahl takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Rahl shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Case was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Case misses with a low kick.
Rahl seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Rahl shoots in for a double leg but Case sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Case connects with an inside leg kick.
Rahl fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Case showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Case fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Case misses the jab.
A left lands for Rahl.

Rahl scores with a takedown into Case's guard.

Case pushes Rahl off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Case scores with a kick to the midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rahl takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rahl doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Case counter with a right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Case blocks a jab.
Case bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rahl's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahl gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Oh Rahl is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A punch lands to the side of Rahl 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rahl misses with a wild body shot.
Rahl moves out of range of the strikes.
Rahl uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Case.
A little feinted left hand from Rahl on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Case fails to land with a series of punches.
Rahl shoots in for a takedown but Case shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Case looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Rahl seems to have got his legs back now.
Rahl avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Case scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rahl rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Case counters with a straight right hand.
Case throws a leg kick which misses Rahl's front leg but catches the back leg as Rahl tries to avoid it.
Rahl swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A little jabbing left from Case on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Case has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Case there as he acknowledges the shot.

Rahl scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Darken Rahl has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rahl missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Case manages to get to full guard.
Rahl trying to control but Case is working from the bottom.
Case has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Case controlling the position.
Rahl trying to control the position from guard on top but Case is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rahl throws a big elbow that misses.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahl stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Case swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Case feints and then cracks Rahl's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rahl down.
Rahl shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Case counters with a straight right hand.
Justin Case is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darken Rahl. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Case, as that shot connected.
Rahl looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rahl takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Case connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahl throws a lazy uppercut
and Case counters with a stiff right hand.
Case moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rahl shoots in and drives through. Case sprawls well.
Case slips a jab from Rahl.
Good exchange - Case coming out on top.
Rahl tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Case counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rahl misses the shot to the body.
Case appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Case misses with a straight left.
Rahl was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Rahl looks to clinch
enabling Case to counter with a crisp jab.
Rahl has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Case.
Rahl shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Case counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Justin Case seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A left lands for Case.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Case comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Case has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Case!
Justin Case really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Brooklyn Apothecary logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.