PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marlon Raynard (ranked 949 p4p, 1981 weight class) and Kenshin Uesugi (ranked 132 p4p, 256 weight class). Kenshin Uesugi acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Raynard
vs
Uesugi

180 cm
27
180
9 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
172
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marlon Raynard!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenshin Uesugi!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Raynard fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Uesugi, pushing him back against the cage.
Uesugi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Raynard smiles and moves away.
Raynard tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Uesugi paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Raynard pushes Uesugi up against the cage in a clinch.

Raynard has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Uesugi uses from the top position.

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

Uesugi working for submissions but it's allowed Raynard to get to half guard.
Raynard perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Uesugi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Raynard is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raynard passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Uesugi!
Uesugi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Raynard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Raynard'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.
Raynard has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uesugi can't escape the position.
Uesugi tries to improve his position but instead Raynard has taken his back!
Uesugi is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Raynard.
Uesugi is really stuck here.

Uesugi fending off the submission attempt from Raynard.
Raynard controlling well, preventing Uesugi from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raynard just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Uesugi felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Uesugi rolls, trying to escape but Raynard keeps control of the position.
Uesugi keeps trying to improve his position.
Raynard really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Uesugi.
Raynard controlling well, preventing Uesugi from escaping the position.

That's four 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.
Uesugi is still trying to improve position.
Uesugi is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Uesugi is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Raynard seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Raynard is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Uesugi has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Raynard has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Uesugi taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Raynard doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Marlon Raynard!
Marlon Raynard retains his welterweight title!