PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Araujo (ranked 2663 p4p, 2365 weight class) and Ricky Rawse (ranked 351 p4p, 311 weight class). Thiago Araujo could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ricky Rawse's chin.

Araujo
vs
Rawse

193 cm
37
285
27 - 29 - 0

193 cm
36
269
20 - 20 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Voodoo Nutrition
Vegan Gains

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 27 - 29 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Araujo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricky Rawse!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Donatello Bradman and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rawse throws a right and a left that Araujo avoids nicely.
Araujo attempts a counter takedown but Rawse avoids it well and moves away.
Araujo 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.
Araujo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rawse sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Araujo somewhat.
Araujo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Araujo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rawse defends it nicely.
Araujo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rawse circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Araujo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Araujo shoots in and gets a takedown into Rawse's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rawse pulls Araujo in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Araujo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rawse looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rawse looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rawse!

Araujo wants to control but Rawse postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo is trying to get back to half guard.
Rawse trying to control the position but Araujo is working away.
Araujo sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rawse keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Rawse scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Araujo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rawse not doing much here.
Rawse trying to control the action but Araujo is working from the bottom.
Araujo wants to improve his position but Rawse is controlling well.

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.

Araujo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Araujo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rawse pulls his head out easily.
Araujo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rawse trying to control the action but Araujo is working from the bottom.

Araujo actively working from the bottom here.
Rawse takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rawse trying to pass the guard but Araujo defending well.
Rawse is trying to control the action in half guard but Araujo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Araujo taking some punishment here, with Rawse in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo wants to improve his position but Rawse is controlling well.
Rawse is trying to control. Araujo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Araujo trying to control here.
Rawse is trying to control. Araujo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rawse prevents Araujo from improving his position.

Araujo looking for submissions off his back.
Rawse wants to control but Araujo is keeping him busy.

Araujo actively working from the bottom here.
Rawse prevents Araujo from improving his position.
Araujo has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rawse is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rawse controlling the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Araujo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rawse sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Araujo somewhat.
Araujo dives in and grabs Rawse's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rawse pushes down on Araujo's head and hops out.
Rawse stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rawse wants it to stay on the feet.
Rawse tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Araujo was well out of range. Poor timing from Rawse.

Rawse shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rawse sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Araujo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Araujo working for a triangle but Rawse defends it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Rawse dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Araujo shoots in but no luck this time.
Rawse smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Rawse shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Araujo's guard.

Araujo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Araujo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rawse defends well.
Rawse advances to half guard.
Rawse with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rawse wants to lay and pray for a moment but Araujo keeps working.
Rawse content to control rather than advance.
Araujo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Araujo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Araujo looking to control.
Rawse is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Araujo working for submissions but it's allowed Rawse to get to half guard.
Araujo wants to improve his position but Rawse is controlling well.
Rawse controlling the pace.
Araujo regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ricky Rawse has got the better of the ground game so far.

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 is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rawse trying to control but Araujo is working from the bottom.

Araujo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Araujo has his foot on Rawse's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rawse works his way back into a safe position though.

Araujo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Araujo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rawse is aware though and is defending well.

Araujo pushes a forearm under Rawse's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Rawse is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Thiago Araujo!