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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raker Raif (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashawn Curry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 185 cm
23
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0 |
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180 cm
20
195 lbs
2 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong |
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Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Raker Raif!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rashawn Curry!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Alexandre Firmino and Felipe Paraventi.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raif looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Curry shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Raif as he avoids it easily.
Curry changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Raif looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Curry taking a break here but Raif is having none of it and regains half guard.
Raif is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Curry uses his free foot to push down on Raif's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Raif.
Raif knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Curry on the ground.
Curry looking to control but Raif is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Raif manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Curry trying to control the action but Raif is working from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Raif is trying to stand up here but Curry is controlling him well.
Raif wants to control but Curry is keeping busy.
Curry is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Raif defends it well.
Curry is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Curry is looking to pass Raif's guard but actually Raif recovers to full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Raif looking for a sweep. Not yet Raif, not yet.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Raif changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A punch combination from Raif misses.
Curry uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Raif.
Curry fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Raif.
A punch combination from Raif misses.
Raif swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raif misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Curry.
Raif stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Curry tries to clinch there but Raif circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Curry is defended easily by Raif.
Curry fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Raker Raif has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashawn Curry.
Raif misses with a looping right.
Raif throws a right hand that Curry ducks under and follows up with a left that Curry also avoids with ease.
Raif misses the shot to the body.
Raif misses the shot to the body.
Curry looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Raif is fending him off so far but Curry persists. Nope, Raif circles away and we're back to standing.
Raif throws a big shot that misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raif looks to throw the jab but Curry is out of range.
Raif throws a combination. Curry tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Curry dodges the punch combination from Raif.
Raker Raif seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Curry attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Raif lands with a good body shot.
Raif misses with a wild body shot.
Curry throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Raif's waist but Raif gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Curry off to one side.
A looping hook to the body misses from Raif. Curry does a little dance to reset his feet.
A combination from Raif does no damage.
Raif takes a swing at Curry's ribcage but misses.
Curry keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Raker Raif 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.
Curry tries to close the distance and clinch up but Raif swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Curry avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Curry closes the distance and pushes Raif back into the cage.
Curry dodges an elbow strike from Raif.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Raif can't find room to land a body shot as Curry controls the action.
Raif controlling the action here for a moment.
Curry fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raif stalling in the clinch but Curry improves position.
Curry tries to pull guard but Raif won't allow it.
Curry gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Curry is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Raif is staying active underneath Curry, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Raif has one foot on Curry's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Curry has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Curry there as he acknowledges the shot.
Curry feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Curry trying to control the position from guard on top but Raif is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Raif 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Curry looking to pass the guard.
Raif is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Raif keeping moving, preventing Curry from controlling successfully.
Curry trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Curry stopping the sweep attempt from Raif.
Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Curry tries to clinch but Raif is having none of it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curry closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Raif to the mat! Raif manages to get full guard.
Curry trying to control but Raif is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Raif is on top in guard.
Raif trying to control but Curry is working from the bottom.
Curry looking for subs off his back but Raif has passed one foot through into half guard.
Curry looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raif with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Raif prevents Curry from improving his position.
Curry makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Curry.
Raif tries to stand but Curry is controlling from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Rashawn Curry showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Raif fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Curry manages to avoid it.
Raif misses with a double jab.
Raif defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Curry.
Raif looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Curry wants to clinch up but Raif keeps it at a distance.
Raif misses with an uppercut.
Curry moves in looking to clinch but Raif pushes him off.
Raif waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Curry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raif keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Curry defending well as Raif loads up on a big left hand.
Raif jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Raker Raif is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Raif throws a nice looking combination but Curry bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Curry has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Raif avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Raker Raif has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashawn Curry.
Curry tries to score a body lock takedown but Raif shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Curry blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Curry letting Raif take a breather here.
Curry's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Curry blocks a body shot from Raif.
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.
Raif just leaning against Curry, taking a breather.
Curry has Raif pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Raif manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Raif goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Raif prevents the takedown attempt.
Raif fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Raif trying to stall but Curry improves his position.
Curry tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Curry goes for a takedown attempt but Raif pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Curry uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Raif.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raif misses the shot to the body.
Raif lands a body shot.
Raker Raif is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Curry ducks under a wild hook from Raif.
Curry uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Raif.
Raif just misses with a punch to the body.
Raif thows a body shot but no joy.
Curry uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Raif.
Curry misses with a kick to the body.
Curry looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Curry is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Raif!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curry has control of Raif's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Raif regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Curry takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Curry is working for a guillotine from mount but Raif frees his head quite easily.
Raif tries to reverse the position but Curry maintains control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Raker Raif did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Raif throws a right and a left that both miss.
Raif throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raif misses with a body shot.
Curry is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Raif listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Raif swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curry fails in his attempt to clinch.
Curry looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Curry is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Raif has managed to free his arm - good work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Raif moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Curry trying to control but Raif is working from the bottom.
Curry prevents Raif from getting back to his feet.
Raif is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Curry is aware though and is defending well.
Raif is looking to stand up but Curry isn't so interested in that idea.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Raif holds on and takes a little breather.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Curry stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Raif swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Curry drops back, looking for a kneebar! Raif looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Raif looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Raif!
Curry tries to improve position but can't.
Curry is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Raif trying to control the action but Curry is working from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curry is looking to reverse the position.
Raif trying to control the action but Curry is working from the bottom.
Curry sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Raif prevents Curry from improving his position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Raif stuffs the takedown.
Curry avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Raif throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Curry.
Curry feints and as Raif raises his hands in defense, Curry changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Raif keeping moving, preventing Curry from controlling successfully.
Curry drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Raif dives on top into guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Raif tries to free his leg and advance position but Curry is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Rashawn Curry will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Raif pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Raif slaps away a takedown attempt from Curry, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Curry is looking to clinch but Raif is avoiding it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Raif. Curry does a little dance to reset his feet.
Curry staying out of range there.
Curry shoots in but Raif avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Raif throws a hook but Curry avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curry scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Raif makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Raif.
Raif keeping full guard, as Curry tries to pass.
Curry is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
That's one minute gone in the round.
Curry pushing down on Raif's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Raif trying to control from the bottom.
Curry tries to pass to full mount but Raif defends it.
Raif wants to control but Curry is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Curry is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Raif tries to roll over but Curry keeps him under control.
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.
Raif is working hard here to advance position.
Raif wants to get back to his feet.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Raif misses with a looping right.
Curry slips a straight right by Raif.
Raif keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd cheers as Raif lands an impressive looking overhand right. Curry doesn't seem phased though.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raif dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Curry keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Curry is trying hard to land a takedown here. Raif sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Raker Raif has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashawn Curry.
Raif lands a nice looking body shot.
Raif circles away from the clinch attempt.
Raif looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Curry uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Raif.
Curry shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Raif sprawls well. Raif wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Curry gets slowly back to his feet.
Raif cracks Curry with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raif throws a right and a left that Curry avoids nicely.
Curry shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Raif's guard.
Curry looking to pass the guard.
Curry stops Raif from standing up.
Raif keeping moving, preventing Curry from controlling successfully.
Curry is pushing down on Raif's leg trying to pass to half guard. Raif is fighting to maintain full guard but Curry has managed to sneak the leg through.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Curry seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Raif does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Raif pushes Curry off looking to stand but Curry dives back in and keeps control.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rashawn Curry.
I think Curry has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight for Rashawn Curry!
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight for Raker Raif!
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight for Raker Raif!
Raker Raif wins by split decision!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
43% |
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