PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Demir Kocak (ranked 366 p4p, 1210 weight class) and Ricky Rawse (ranked 10 p4p, 41 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kocak
vs
Rawse

210 cm
29
240
18 - 7 - 0

193 cm
35
269
19 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Pound Town INC
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Demir Kocak!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricky Rawse!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Joseph Jones and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rawse has a takedown stuffed.
A little feinted left hand from Kocak on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rawse thuds his right hand into Kocak's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kocak moves away from the strike by Rawse.
Kocak ducks under a wild hook from Rawse.
Rawse throws a right hand that Kocak ducks under and follows up with a left that Kocak also avoids with ease.
Rawse shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kocak as he jumps to the side.
As Rawse backs away, Kocak returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Kocak has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kocak throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rawse shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kocak counters with a straight right hand.
Demir Kocak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Rawse.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rawse closes the distance and pushes Kocak back into the cage.
Kocak has a couple of punches blocked by Rawse.
Kocak using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rawse has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kocak tries to work over Rawse's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kocak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kocak with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rawse landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rawse pressing his opponent against the cage.
Rawse has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kocak is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A head punch on the inside from Kocak fails to land.
Nice body punch from Kocak - that landed with a thud.
Rawse goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kocak lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rawse has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Kocak seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Rawse can turn it around.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kocak scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rawse leaning his opponent against the cage.
Rawse is trying to stall.
Rawse blocks an uppercut.
Rawse changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kocak fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kocak scores with a jab to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rawse throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kocak appears to be looking for a big counter.
Rawse looks to throw the jab but Kocak is out of range.
Kocak throws a big counter combination but Rawse scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Rawse lands a nice shot that snaps Kocak's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rawse tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kocak swivels and escapes.
Kocak pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kocak.
Rawse lands a lovely overhand right.
Rawse shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kocak but Kocak pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kocak throws a quick counter kick to the body but Rawse avoids it.
Kocak works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Rawse drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rawse wants to pass the guard but Kocak is keeping the position.
Kocak pulls Rawse in close to his closed guard and prevents Rawse from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kocak will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rawse wants to control from the top but Kocak keeps moving.
Rawse showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kocak pulls Rawse in close to prevent any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

That kick from Kocak tenderised Rawse's leg. Rawse is trying to keep his angry face on.

Rawse closes the distance and clinches.
Kocak misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kocak lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kocak.
Rawse stalling.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rawse.
Kocak misses with some punches.
Kocak misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rawse.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kocak throws a head punch that misses.
Kocak lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Demir Kocak has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rawse is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kocak lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawse blocks an uppercut.
Kocak scores with a shot to the side of Rawse's head.
Kocak is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rawse can do to turn this around?
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rawse takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Rawse can't find room to land a body shot as Kocak controls the action.
Rawse blocking some punches.

Kocak breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rawse swings widly with a right hand
and Kocak counters with a slapping leg kick.
Rawse misses with a few strikes there.
Kocak misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Rawse throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kocak was covering up waiting for the punch and Rawse finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rawse must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kocak is controlling Rawse's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kocak keeping full guard, as Rawse tries to pass.
Rawse sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kocak has his hands on Rawse's head, controlling the position.
Rawse's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kocak looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kocak not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rawse moves out of range of the strikes.
Rawse has his takedown stuffed
and Kocak cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rawse shoots in looking for a takedown but Kocak manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rawse's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Rawse decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rawse stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kocak is positioning himself well to prevent Rawse advancing to mount.
Rawse keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Let's hope that Rawse has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rawse trying to control the action but Kocak is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Demir Kocak will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Rawse misses with an uppercut
enabling Kocak to counter with a crisp jab.
Rawse throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kocak takes one to the chin there.
Rawse with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kocak counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rawse gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kocak connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ricky Rawse seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kocak with a nice cross.
Rawse lands a slapping body shot.
Rawse takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Kocak is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Kocak lands a big right hand that sends Rawse crashing to the mat! Kocak stays standing though and waves Rawse back to his feet!

Rawse is rocked!
Rawse takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
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!
Rawse with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kocak counters with a nice right hand that sends Rawse toppling to the canvas! Rawse scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Kocak finish him?!
Rawse is still on wobbly legs! Can Kocak finish him?
Demir Kocak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Rawse.
Rawse is keeping his hands low and just asking to be knocked out. Kocak Raises his leg and lands a stunning axe kick! Rawse is out cold, face down on the mat!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Demir Kocak!
Demir Kocak retains his super heavyweight title!
A very excited looking Demir Kocak rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.