PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Darken Rahl (ranked 2850 p4p, 1949 weight class) and Frankie Skinner (ranked 266 p4p, 189 weight class). Skinner is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Kanye West . Darken Rahl has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rahl
vs
Skinner

168 cm
36
146
15 - 14 - 1

175 cm
28
139
7 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Frankie Skinner!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skinner on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Skinner avoids the body shot from Rahl.
Rahl 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.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Skinner, as that shot connected.
Skinner swings for the body but Rahl moves out of range.
Rahl fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Skinner looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Skinner tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rahl was well out of range. Poor timing from Skinner.
Skinner cracks Rahl with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rahl moves in looking to clinch but Skinner pushes him off.
Skinner looks to score with a jab to the body but Rahl is just out of range.
Skinner lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A punch combination from Rahl misses.
Skinner throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rahl lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Skinner takes a swing at Rahl's ribcage but misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Skinner throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rahl throws a jab but it's blocked by Skinner.
Skinner lands a nice looking body shot.
Rahl just misses with a punch to the body.
It seemed like Skinner was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice defenses there by Rahl.
Rahl uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Skinner.
Rahl appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahl ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Skinner has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Rahl connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rahl pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Skinner throws a right hand that misses
and Rahl counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A telegraphed right hand from Rahl misses the target.
Rahl misses with a looping left.
Skinner scores with a jab. Rahl acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rahl takes one to the side of the head.
Rahl moves away from the strike by Skinner.
Rahl throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Skinner sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rahl walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Skinner wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Skinner loads up on a big right hand but Rahl slips the punch.
Skinner looks to score with a jab to the body but Rahl is just out of range.
Skinner misses with a looping right.
An attempted straight right counter from Rahl misses the target.

Rahl gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rahl throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A shot in the inside from Rahl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skinner pushes Rahl back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Skinner lands a right hand.
Skinner swings wildly with an uppercut but Rahl uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rahl blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rahl lands with a left to the head.
Rahl drops down looking for an ankle pick but Skinner pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rahl walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Skinner checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rahl misses with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Skinner. Rahl does a little dance to reset his feet.
Skinner slips under a jab from Rahl.
Skinner ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Skinner throws a body punch but Rahl moves out of range.
Rahl showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Skinner.
Frankie Skinner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rahl throws a big shot that misses.
Skinner waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rahl.
Rahl misses with a wild body shot.
Skinner let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Frankie Skinner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahl throws a hook but Skinner avoids it easily.
Rahl misses with a body shot.
Skinner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
No joy there for Rahl, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Skinner misses with a hook. Rahl ducked under it nicely.
Rahl tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Skinner is able to avoid easily.
Rahl misses with a low kick.
A swing and a miss from Skinner.
Skinner takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rahl avoids the body shot from Skinner.
Skinner throws an off balance right hand
and Rahl counters with a straight right hand.
Skinner misses with a jab to the body
and Rahl counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Skinner scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Skinner throws a shot from downtown. Rahl moves away and avoids it.
Skinner keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Skinner dodges the punch combination from Rahl.
Skinner just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahl scores with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rahl thuds his right hand into Skinner's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rahl swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Skinner connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rahl. Rahl circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Skinner fails to land with a series of punches.
Rahl smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rahl keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rahl moves out of range of the strikes.
Rahl avoids the body shot from Skinner.
Rahl takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Skinner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rahl manages to avoid it.
Skinner misses with a left hand
and Rahl counters with a right hand to the body.
Rahl connects with a right hand. Skinner shakes it off.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rahl scores with a hook to the body. Skinner takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rahl connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Skinner's hands.
Skinner checks a low kick from Rahl.
Rahl has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Skinner finds it's way round the side to connect with Rahl's head.
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 Darken Rahl 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.

Skinner punishes Rahl's body with a nice straight punch.
Rahl throws out a loose jab but Skinner uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rahl shoots in for a takedown but Skinner shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Skinner throws a jab when Rahl was well out of range.
Skinner throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rahl sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Skinner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rahl manages to avoid it.
A big left from Rahl misses.
Rahl doesn't manage to clinch there - Skinner circles away.
Good shot there by Skinner.
Rahl tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rahl wants to clinch up but Skinner keeps it at a distance.
Skinner looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rahl. Skinner does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skinner slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Rahl forces Skinner back against the cage and clinches.
Rahl tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Skinner's elbow.
Skinner is pressed up against the cage. Rahl has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Skinner down to the mat. Skinner avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rahl throws a shot from downtown. Skinner moves away and avoids it.
A big right from Rahl misses.
Skinner looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rahl looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Skinner!
Skinner is looking for a sweep.
Rahl landing a few strikes.
Skinner tries to bench press Rahl off him but Rahl keeps the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Skinner is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Skinner is not content to let Rahl control the position.
Rahl in side control lands a decent elbow.
Rahl lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Skinner taking punishment in the form of punches.

Rahl tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rahl working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Skinner tries to bench press Rahl off him but Rahl keeps the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rahl wants to control but Skinner is keeping him busy.
Skinner is working to avoid the ground and pound but Rahl connects with a decent elbow.
You can see the frustration on Skinner's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rahl lands some shots froms side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahl lands an elbow.
Skinner gets back to half guard.
Rahl is nestled in close to Skinner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rahl takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Skinner manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Skinner working a defensive guard but Rahl passes into half guard.
Skinner is pressing down on Rahl's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Darken Rahl overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Rahl drops back looking for a leg! Skinner is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Skinner manages to kick Rahl off! Rahl jumps back into Skinner's guard.
Rahl preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rahl is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rahl passes into half guard.
Rahl seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Skinner does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Skinner moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rahl wants to control from the top but Skinner keeps moving.
Rahl postures up.
Rahl wants to control from the top but Skinner keeps moving.
Skinner has momentary wrist control but Rahl slips an elbow through the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Darken Rahl dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Skinner tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rahl was well out of range. Poor timing from Skinner.
Rahl was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Skinner connects with the punch.
Skinner swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Rahl counter with a right hand.
Frankie Skinner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rahl throws a hook to the side of Skinner's head but Skinner sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rahl uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Skinner.
Rahl misses with a body shot.

Rahl is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Skinner's half guard.
Skinner is looking for a sweep. Rahl is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Skinner makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Skinner.
Skinner keeping moving, preventing Rahl from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skinner trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahl stands up over Skinner, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Skinner looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rahl is one step ahead there.

Skinner throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Rahl escapes and throws Skinner's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Skinner tries to bench press Rahl off him but Rahl keeps the position.
Skinner regains half guard.
Rahl slips a nice elbow through Skinner's hands, connecting with Skinner's forehead.
Skinner works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rahl is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Skinner looking for a sweep. Not yet Skinner, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahl working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Skinner's head.
Rahl is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Skinner manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rahl manages to get himself to full guard.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rahl is on top in guard.

Rahl trying to control but Skinner is working from the bottom.
Rahl throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Skinner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Skinner looking for a sweep. Not yet Skinner, not yet.
Skinner looking to control.
Rahl trying to control but Skinner is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahl with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Skinner working a defensive guard but Rahl passes into half guard.
Skinner is looking for a sweep. Rahl is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rahl seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rahl lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Skinner is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rahl's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rahl's back!
Skinner punches the canvas rather than the man.
Rahl has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rahl tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Skinner controlling his opponent.
Rahl regains half guard.
Skinner wants to take a breather but Rahl is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahl is in trouble now - Skinner has advanced to mount!
Rahl wants to control but Skinner is having none of it.
BOOM! Skinner connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Skinner breaks from Rahl's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rahl is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Skinner lands a big shot there that rocks Rahl but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rahl tries to hold on but Skinner postures up.
Rahl regains half guard.
Rahl is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Skinner scores with a couple of nice shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Frankie Skinner.
I think Rahl has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darken Rahl!
Darken Rahl very nearly forgot to thank Conquer amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.