PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Raymond Rabago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicolai Gospic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rabago
vs
Gospic

186 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
18
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raymond Rabago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nicolai Gospic!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gospic moves forwards but Rabago connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rabago works over Gospic's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Nicolai Gospic has been cut.
Gospic will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gospic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rabago as he jumps to the side.
Gospic tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A punch lands to the side of Gospic 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rabago swinging wildly here.
Rabago throws a combination. Gospic tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Gospic checks a leg kick.
Rabago thows a body kick. Gospic tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Gospic dives in and grabs Rabago's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rabago pushes down on Gospic's head and hops out.
Raymond Rabago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicolai Gospic.
Gospic looks gassed!
Rabago connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rabago attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Gospic shoots in but Rabago avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rabago throws a nice looking combination but Gospic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gospic checks a leg kick nicely.
Gospic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rabago pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gospic on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A combination from Rabago does no damage.
Rabago is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Rabago punishes Gospic's body with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gospic gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That has opened up Nicolai Gospic's cut even more.
Rabago connects with a jab.
Rabago throws the kick towards the body but Gospic avoids it.
Rabago is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A head kick misses from Rabago.
Gospic is trying desperately to land a takedown but Rabago is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Gospic.
Rabago is looking to clinch.
Rabago looks to land a combination but Gospic avoids it well.
Gospic has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rabago finds it's way round the side to connect with Gospic's head.
A combination from Rabago does no damage.
Gospic takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rabago throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Rabago lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gospic doesn't seem phased though.
Rabago tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Gospic is able to avoid easily.
Rabago throws a series of punches but Gospic moves out of range.
Rabago throws a series of strikes that have Gospic backpedaling.
Rabago fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gospic.
A head kick misses from Rabago.
Gospic avoids the head kick by Rabago.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gospic fails with a takedown attempt.
Gospic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rabago's waist but Rabago gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gospic off to one side.
Rabago looks to land a combination but Gospic avoids it well.

Gospic closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gospic lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gospic has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rabago is proving hard to escape from.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gospic pushing down on Rabago's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gospic is looking to take a break and control but Rabago is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raymond Rabago dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nicolai Gospic's cut.
That's time! Rabago's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gospic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rabago cracks the inside of Gospic's front leg.
Good exchange - Rabago coming out on top.
Rabago tries a head kick but it misses.
Rabago misses with the combination.
Gospic has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Raymond Rabago is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd cheers as Rabago lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gospic doesn't seem phased though.
Rabago tries to close the distance and clinch but Gospic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gospic fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gospic fails to land the takedown.
Raymond Rabago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rabago pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rabago moves in looking to clinch but Gospic pushes him off.
Good exchange - Rabago coming out on top.
Raymond Rabago is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rabago looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rabago misses with a body shot.

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.
Gospic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rabago throws a nice looking combination but Gospic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gospic dives in and grabs Rabago's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rabago pushes down on Gospic's head and hops out.
Raymond Rabago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicolai Gospic.
Gospic tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rabago swivels and escapes.
Rabago paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rabago finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rabago is looking to clinch.
Gospic shoots in but Rabago avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gospic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rabago tries to avoid it but Gospic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rabago to the ground. Rabago escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Raymond Rabago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabago throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gospic.
Rabago misses with a head kick.
Rabago misses with a wild combination.
Rabago throws a right and a left that Gospic avoids nicely.

Rabago gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gospic controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gospic trying to control the position from guard on top but Rabago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gospic prevents Rabago from getting back to his feet.

Gospic thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gospic stops Rabago from standing up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rabago can't keep his opponent in guard - Gospic advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gospic wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rabago keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raymond Rabago dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nicolai Gospic's cut.
That's time! Rabago's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Rabago tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rabago throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gospic will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gospic avoids a kick to the body.
Gospic takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Gospic blocks the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gospic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rabago sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gospic somewhat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gospic tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabago wants to clinch.
Rabago dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gospic. That did some damage!
Rabago misses with a wild combination.
Gospic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rabago's waist but Rabago gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gospic off to one side.
Raymond Rabago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicolai Gospic.
Rabago lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gospic circles away quickly and effectively.

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.
Rabago swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gospic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gospic dives in and grabs Rabago's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rabago pushes down on Gospic's head and hops out.
Gospic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Rabago lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rabago.
Rabago tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gospic was well out of range. Poor timing from Rabago.
Rabago tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rabago on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Gospic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rabago fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Gospic or perhaps it was just good defense by Rabago which made him look bad.
Rabago tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rabago rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gospic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gospic tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rabago swivels and escapes.
Rabago connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gospic takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Gospic scores with a jab to the body.
Gospic fails with the takedown.

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.
Rabago throws the left hand but Gospic avoids the punch easily.
Rabago bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gospic's head backwards.
Rabago displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gospic.
Rabago throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rabago tries to bum rush Gospic with a series of wild strikes but Gospic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
No joy there for Rabago, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nicolai Gospic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gospic closes the distance and clinches up with Rabago, looking for a takedown. Gospic pushes Rabago against the cage but Rabago circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raymond Rabago showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rabago, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raymond Rabago!