PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Rawse (ranked 2027 p4p, 938 weight class) and Santu Avisu Kona (ranked 260 p4p, 128 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.

Rawse
vs
Avisu Kona

193 cm
34
269
17 - 16 - 1

195 cm
35
262
20 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 17 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricky Rawse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Santu Avisu Kona!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rawse fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Avisu Kona avoids it really well and circles away.
Avisu Kona doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A jab from Avisu Kona finds it's way through Rawse's defenses.
Avisu Kona scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Avisu Kona.
Rawse misses with a looping left.
Rawse comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Avisu Kona cracks Rawse with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Avisu Kona ducks under a wild hook from Rawse.
Avisu Kona tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rawse keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Avisu Kona lands with an overhand left.
Rawse avoids a kick to the body.
Rawse takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Avisu Kona lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rawse will feel that in the morning.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Avisu Kona throws out a loose jab but Rawse uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avisu Kona misses with an uppercut
and Avisu Kona takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Avisu Kona slips under a jab.
Rawse shoots in but no luck this time.
Rawse moves away from the strike by Avisu Kona.
Rawse is looking to counter punch.
Avisu Kona works Rawse's body with a nice hook.
A right-left combo lands from Rawse.
Rawse takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Rawse closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Avisu Kona quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rawse controlling the action here.
Rawse stops Avisu Kona from getting back to his feet.
Avisu Kona 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rawse takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Rawse has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Rawse passes into side control, despite Avisu Kona's attempt to control the position.
Rawse trying to control the action but Avisu Kona is working from the bottom.
Rawse working away.
Avisu Kona is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Rawse has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rawse trying to control the action but Avisu Kona is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Avisu Kona throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rawse misses with a looping left.
Rawse is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Avisu Kona.
Rawse keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Rawse instigates a clinch.
Avisu Kona blocks an elbow strike.
Rawse is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rawse tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Avisu Kona manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A nice side step and Avisu Kona releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Avisu Kona scores with a decent looking hook.
Avisu Kona misses with a looping right.
Rawse was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Rawse shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Rawse. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rawse swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rawse takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Avisu Kona connects with a nice looking jab.
Rawse throws a good cross that connects.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Avisu Kona throws a big shot that misses.
A left lands for Rawse.
Santu Avisu Kona is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Avisu Kona looks to land a right hand but Rawse moved out of range.
Rawse takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rawse thows a left - swing and a miss!
Avisu Kona throws out a counter right but Rawse avoids it with no problem.
Rawse shoots in for a double leg but Avisu Kona sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A swing and a miss from Avisu Kona.
Rawse swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Rawse looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Avisu Kona looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Avisu Kona lands with a hook. Rawse tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Santu Avisu Kona will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Avisu Kona lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rawse backs up against the cage.
Rawse misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Avisu Kona.
Rawse's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Avisu Kona connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Rawse scrambles back to his feet.
Avisu Kona throws a head kick that misses.
Avisu Kona moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Avisu Kona takes a swing at Rawse's ribcage but misses.
Avisu Kona throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rawse stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rawse walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Rawse throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Avisu Kona's waist but Avisu Kona gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rawse off to one side.
Rawse moves in looking to clinch but Avisu Kona pushes him off.
Rawse throws a body punch but Avisu Kona moves out of range.
Avisu Kona swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rawse throws a right hand that Avisu Kona ducks under and follows up with a left that Avisu Kona also avoids with ease.
Avisu Kona lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rawse swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rawse takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Rawse is rocked!
Avisu Kona lands with a right hand.
Oh Rawse is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rawse keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rawse seems to have got his legs back now.
Rawse throws a jab when Avisu Kona was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawse swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Santu Avisu Kona seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rawse gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Avisu Kona counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rawse avoids the body shot from Avisu Kona.
Avisu Kona lands with a thumping leg kick.
Avisu Kona scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Avisu Kona connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Avisu Kona takes a swing at Rawse's ribcage but misses.
Rawse is looking to clinch.
Avisu Kona throws a head kick but Rawse moves out of range.
Rawse takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Avisu Kona waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rawse.
A swing and a miss from Avisu Kona.
Avisu Kona thumps Rawse with a low kick.
Avisu Kona misses with a low kick.
Avisu Kona swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Avisu Kona lands a slapping body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rawse moves away from the strike by Avisu Kona.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rawse on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Rawse scores with a nice right hand.
Avisu Kona misses the shot to the body.
Avisu Kona plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Avisu Kona lands with a shot to the body.
Avisu Kona throws a head kick that misses.
Avisu Kona looks to land a body kick but Rawse moved away.
Avisu Kona swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rawse smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Avisu Kona with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Avisu Kona misses with a wild body shot.
Avisu Kona is looking to slow Rawse down with leg kicks.
Avisu Kona pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Santu Avisu Kona seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rawse avoids the head kick by Avisu Kona.
Avisu Kona throws a sloppy head kick and Rawse moves out of range easily.
Rawse feinted with a counter takedown.

Rawse throws a left that rocks Avisu Kona and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Rawse dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Avisu Kona regain composure!

Avisu Kona is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avisu Kona wants to control but Rawse postures up.
Avisu Kona is still in real trouble! Can Rawse finish him?
Rawse is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Rawse working away.
Avisu Kona trying to remain calm as Rawse controls from the top position.
Rawse's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Avisu Kona is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rawse asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Rawse tries to move into full mount but can't pass Avisu Kona's legs.
Avisu Kona seems to have recovered his senses.
Avisu Kona wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Avisu Kona stops Rawse from passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avisu Kona is pushing Rawse's head away, looking to escape. Rawse manages to hold on to the position though.
Rawse tries to move to mount but Avisu Kona blocks the move with his legs.
Rawse happy to just control the position for now.
Avisu Kona stops Rawse from passing to mount.
Avisu Kona is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Rawse has just dragged him back down to the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Santu Avisu Kona showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Jab, jab by Avisu Kona - just one landing.
Avisu Kona misses with a series of wild punches.
Rawse shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Avisu Kona looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rawse cracks Avisu Kona with a right hand to the side of the head.
Avisu Kona throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rawse takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rawse shoots for a takedown but Avisu Kona saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Avisu Kona has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Avisu Kona misses with a double jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rawse is defended easily by Avisu Kona.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Rawse. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rawse fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rawse looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Avisu Kona misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rawse.
Rawse slips a straight right by Avisu Kona.
Avisu Kona misses with a right hand

and Rawse decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Avisu Kona's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rawse controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avisu Kona wants to stand and escape but Rawse is having none of it.
Avisu Kona has momentary wrist control but Rawse slips an elbow through the middle.
Avisu Kona is looking to stand up but Rawse isn't so interested in that idea.
Rawse not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two 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.
Rawse stops Avisu Kona from standing up.
Rawse wants to pass the guard but Avisu Kona is keeping the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rawse avoids the head kick by Avisu Kona.
Avisu Kona misses with a straight left.
Rawse keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Avisu Kona thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rawse swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rawse ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rawse lands a really nice looking cross but Avisu Kona seems unphased.
Avisu Kona throws a lazy right hand but Rawse sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rawse has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Avisu Kona finds it's way round the side to connect with Rawse's head.
Avisu Kona lands a nice shot that snaps Rawse's head back.
Avisu Kona swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Avisu Kona takes a swing at Rawse's ribcage but misses.
Rawse shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Avisu Kona but Avisu Kona pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rawse moves into the clinch.
I was talking to Rawse's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Avisu Kona being controlled against the cage.
Avisu Kona can't find room to land a body shot as Rawse controls the action.
Santu Avisu Kona is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Avisu Kona wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Avisu Kona is trying to break the clinch but Rawse has him pressed against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rawse throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Avisu Kona blocks it with crossed arms.
Ricky Rawse has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Avisu Kona prevents the takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Santu Avisu Kona comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Avisu Kona winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santu Avisu Kona!
Santu Avisu Kona 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.