PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rakeem Swanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and rashid rowe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Swanson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Stormtroopers of Death - Bigger Than the Devil. rowe has chosen juicy as his entrance music. rashid rowe is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Swanson
vs
rowe

185 cm
19
230 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

219 cm
20
269 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rakeem Swanson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, rashid rowe!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Russell Pearce and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Swanson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Swanson lands in his opponent's guard.
rowe will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Swanson cracks rowe with a solid left hand.
rowe keeping moving, preventing Swanson from controlling successfully.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
rowe striking off his back but it's not causing Swanson any problems.
Swanson wants to stand but rowe is controlling his posture from full guard.
rowe striking off his back but it's not causing Swanson any problems.
rowe trying to strike off his back.
Swanson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of rowe is proving hard to escape from.
rowe throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
rowe striking off his back but it's not causing Swanson any problems.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
rowe doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
rowe swinging wilding here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
rowe throws a nice looking combination but Swanson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
rowe stuffs the takedown attempt from Swanson. Swanson gets slowly back to his feet.
rashid rowe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Horrible takedown by Swanson or perhaps it was just good defense by rowe which made him look bad.
rowe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
rowe misses with a wild combination.
rashid rowe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
rowe looks gassed!
Swanson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rakeem Swanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
rowe closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Rakeem Swanson has been cut.
Swanson lands a jab to the nose.
rowe tries to bum rush Swanson with a series of wild strikes but Swanson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Swanson.
rowe is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Swanson trying to control the action but rowe is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson working the ground and pound from side control.
rowe tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Swanson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Swanson grinds an elbow into rowe's temple.
Swanson wants to control but rowe is keeping him busy.
rowe is looking to regain half guard here but Swanson keeps moving and retains side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
rowe dodges the punch combination from Swanson.
rowe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Swanson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
rowe trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Swanson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Swanson sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
rowe thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
rowe throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Swanson trying to stand up but can't free himself from rowe's guard.

Swanson gets to his feet. rowe looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
rowe misses with a combination

and Swanson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Swanson.
Swanson stands up out of rowe's guard for a moment - rowe manages to land a nice upkick.
Swanson cracks rowe with a solid left hand.
rowe tries to strike from the bottom.
rowe throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Swanson working some strikes from top position.

Swanson gets to his feet - rowe follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
rowe misses with a double jab
and Swanson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
rowe avoids a punch combination nicely.
rowe throws a nice looking combination but Swanson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
rowe throws a combination that misses

and Swanson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Swanson lands a nice short elbow.

Swanson stands up from half guard.
Some wild striking there from rowe.
rowe throws a left and a right that both miss
and Swanson counters with a one-two to the body.
rowe misses with a combination

and Swanson counters with a takedown into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
rowe is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
rowe is trying to get back to full guard.
Swanson trying to control from half guard but rowe is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rakeem Swanson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rakeem Swanson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Swanson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around rowe's waist but rowe gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Swanson off to one side.
rowe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Swanson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Swanson throws a series of punches but rowe avoids them all with ease.
rowe throws a left and a right that both miss

and Swanson counters with a single leg into guard. rowe didn't expect that.
Swanson landing with the ground and pound.
rowe striking off his back but it's not causing Swanson any problems.
rowe throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
rowe throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
rowe striking off his back but it's not causing Swanson any problems.
rowe throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
rowe lands a decent shot there.
rowe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
rowe throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Some wild striking there from rowe.
Swanson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
rowe misses with a wild combination.

Swanson takes the fight into the clinch.
rowe tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Swanson just stands there and leans against the cage.
rowe tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
rowe tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rakeem Swanson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of rashid rowe.

rowe pulls Swanson into guard.
rowe lands some strikes from the bottom.
rowe trying to strike off his back.

rowe is working an open guard so Swanson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Swanson misses with a takedown attempt - rowe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Swanson avoids a punch combination nicely.
rowe throws a right and a left that both miss.
Swanson wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
rowe misses with a combination

and Swanson counters by moving into the clinch.
rowe tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Swanson can't get the takedown.
rowe tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
rowe fails to pull guard.
rowe tries to pull guard but Swanson holds him up against the cage and eventually rowe drops back down to his feet.
rowe tries to pull guard but Swanson won't allow it.
rowe tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Swanson smiles and moves away.
Swanson shoots in for a double leg but rowe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
rowe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Swanson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
rowe wants to improve his position but Swanson is controlling well.
Swanson is looking to advance position but rowe won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are battling for position here. rowe manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
rowe keeping full guard, as Swanson tries to pass.
rowe lands with a heel strike from the guard.
rowe throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
rowe throws a combination that misses
and Swanson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
rowe throws a combination that misses
and Swanson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
rowe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Swanson counters with a shoot takedown. rowe fights it but they end up in guard.
Swanson trying to stand up but can't free himself from rowe's guard.
Swanson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
rowe throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
rowe trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
rowe throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
rowe trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
rowe will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
rowe throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
rowe lands an upkick as Swanson stands over him.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
rowe keeps the fight on the outside.
rowe throws a combination that misses

and Swanson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Swanson controlling the action here.

Swanson decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Swanson here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Swanson tries to clinch up but rowe circles away and keeps his distance.
Swanson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that rowe can do to turn this around?
rowe throws a left and a right that both miss
and Swanson counters with a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rakeem Swanson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rakeem Swanson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

rowe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Swanson.
rowe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Swanson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Swanson stands up and beckons rowe to join him on the feet.
rowe falls off balance throwing a combination
and Swanson counters with a two punch combo.
Swanson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
rowe misses with a double jab

so Swanson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
rowe throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
rowe lands an upkick as Swanson stands over him.
rowe trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
rowe thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
rowe trying to strike off his back.

Swanson gets to his feet. rowe looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
rowe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Swanson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for rowe!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Swanson trying to control but rowe is having none of it.
Swanson landing strikes from the mount and rowe is in trouble!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
rowe tries to reverse the position but Swanson maintains control.
Swanson wants to control the pace but rowe is squirming around nicely.
Swanson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Rakeem Swanson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Swanson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. rowe looks a forlorn figure.

Swanson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but rowe is surviving well by controlling Swanson's body position as best he can.
rowe is trying to escape the mount.
rashid rowe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Swanson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Swanson working the ground and pound effectively.
Swanson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. rowe looks a forlorn figure.
rowe is trying to escape the mount.
Swanson wants to control the pace but rowe is squirming around nicely.
rowe is looking to improve his position but Swanson isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
rowe is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

rowe defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Swanson.
rowe flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
rowe keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
rowe regains half guard.
rowe tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Ground and pound from Swanson.

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.

Swanson is looking for a kimura but rowe is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Swanson to get the leverage.
Swanson trying to control the action but rowe is working from the bottom.

Swanson decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Swanson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Swanson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on rowe, up you get!
rowe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Swanson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
rowe tries to roll over but Swanson keeps him under control.

rowe is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Swanson pulls his head out easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
rowe throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Rakeem Swanson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
rowe wants to improve his position but Swanson is controlling well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rakeem Swanson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Swanson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 30:26
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:26
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rakeem Swanson!