PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roque Rapacon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Cortez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cortez has chosen Slash - By the Sword as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Rapacon
vs
Cortez

180 cm
18
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Roque Rapacon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Xavier Cortez!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cortez throws a head kick that Rapacon semi-blocks.
Rapacon looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Cortez lands with a kick to the temple. Rapacon shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Rapacon lands a two punch combo.
A head kick from Cortez lands but Rapacon takes it in his stride.
Rapacon closes the distance and clinches up with Cortez, looking for a takedown. Rapacon pushes Cortez against the cage but Cortez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cortez throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rapacon's head.
Rapacon fails to land the takedown.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cortez.
Crunch! Cortez slams his shin into Rapacon's torso.
Cortez lands with a slapping head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cortez throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rapacon's head.
Cortez chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cortez scores with a head kick.
Cortez throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Cortez lands a head kick. Rapacon smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Cortez throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cortez connects with a solid leg kick.
Cortez lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Danga de danga de dang - Cortez scores with a four punch combination!
Cortez lands a head kick. Rapacon smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Xavier Cortez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez scores with a head kick.
Cortez throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Rapacon chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cortez can pounce on him.
Rapacon walks into a jab.
Cortez's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Cortez duly obliges.
Rapacon takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A slapping body kick lands there for Cortez.
Rapacon has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Roque Rapacon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rapacon shoots in for a takedown but Cortez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roque Rapacon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cortez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Rapacon closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rapacon is looking to take a break and control but Cortez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rapacon is chipping away with strikes.
Rapacon sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Cortez is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Rapacon throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rapacon in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Rapacon in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Rapacon working the ground and pound from side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rapacon fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rapacon on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Cortez. Cortez obviously looking to wear him down.
Cortez throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Rapacon shoots for a takedown but Cortez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rapacon.
Cortez connects with a high kick.
Rapacon tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cortez swivels and escapes.
Nice shot lands for Cortez.
Nice takedown defense from Cortez. No joy for Rapacon on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rapacon throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Cortez was covering up waiting for the punch and Rapacon finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Cortez keeping moving, preventing Rapacon from controlling successfully.
Rapacon postures up in Cortez's guard and throws a big left but Cortez blocks it.
Cortez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cortez wants to get back to his feet but Rapacon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rapacon throws a head kick that misses
and Cortez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rapacon throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cortez counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Rapacon takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Cortez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cortez wants it to stay on the feet.
Cortez throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rapacon.

Rapacon drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rapacon is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Cortez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rapacon is controlling him.
Rapacon postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rapacon scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cortez wants to stand and escape but Rapacon is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cortez is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Cortez dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rapacon chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cortez can pounce on him.
Cortez lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Cortez, right into the meat.
Cortez lands a head kick!
A nice combination there by Cortez.
Rapacon takes a kick to the side of the head.
Xavier Cortez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rapacon takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Rapacon takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Rapacon closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cortez circles away.
A good leg kick by Cortez.
Cortez lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cortez throws a nice head kick!
A nice leg kick lands there from Cortez.
Cortez throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rapacon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rapacon lands a decent elbow from side control.
Cortez is trying to get back to his feet.
Rapacon lands a decent elbow from side control.
Rapacon working the ground and pound.
Rapacon working the ground and pound from side control.
Rapacon is working Cortez over with some ground and pound from side control.
Rapacon tries to advance to mount but can't.
Rapacon grinds an elbow into Cortez's temple.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rapacon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rapacon shoots in looking for a takedown. Cortez tries to sprawl out of it but Rapacon keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cortez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roque Rapacon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rapacon closes the distance and clinches up with Cortez, looking for a takedown. Rapacon pushes Cortez against the cage but Cortez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

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.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rapacon is defended easily by Cortez.
Cortez throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Rapacon takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cortez fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rapacon.
Nice sprawl there from Cortez as Rapacon shoots in.
Roque Rapacon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cortez lands a head kick!

Rapacon shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rapacon seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Cortez pushes Rapacon off looking to stand but Rapacon dives back in and keeps control.
Ground and pound from Rapacon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rapacon drops an elbow to the side of Cortez's head.
Cortez pushes Rapacon off looking to stand but Rapacon dives back in and keeps control.
Rapacon working over Cortez with some ground and pound. Cortez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rapacon lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rapacon takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Cortez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Rapacon 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.

Cortez pushes Rapacon off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Cortez.
Rapacon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cortez throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rapacon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Rapacon
and Cortez counters with a big head kick but Rapacon shrugs it off.
Rapacon takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rapacon fails with a takedown attempt.
Cortez staying out of range there.
Cortez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick from Cortez lands but Rapacon takes it in his stride.
Cortez lands a head kick!
Cortez misses with a few strikes there.
Some wild striking there from Cortez.
Cortez lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Cortez throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Cortez lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Xavier Cortez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Rapacon darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cortez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rapacon.
Cortez is trying to stand.
Rapacon scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ground and pound from Rapacon.
Rapacon works his way into full mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Rapacon cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cortez is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Rapacon fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Rapacon looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Cortez squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
A nice elbow there by Rapacon.
You get the feeling that Cortez really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Rapacon punishing his opponent with strikes.
Rapacon scoring with strikes but Cortez is staying in there.
A nice elbow there by Rapacon.
BOOM! Rapacon connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Rapacon breaks from Cortez's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Cortez wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Rapacon is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cortez can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rapacon lands a big shot there that rocks Cortez but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Cortez is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Rapacon lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Rapacon working Cortez over with strikes here.
Roque Rapacon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rapacon lands a big elbow.
Rapacon pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Cortez is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Rapacon wants to control the pace but Cortez is squirming around nicely.
Cortez wants to try and get back to his feet.
Rapacon has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Cortez's face.
Rapacon with good strikes from the mount here!
Cortez is bucking up trying to escape but Rapacon cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rapacon lands with some strikes.
Rapacon looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The referee warns Cortez that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Rapacon looking to finish Cortez with some ground and pound. This is bad for Cortez!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Rapacon cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Rapacon with good strikes from the mount here!
Cortez trying desperately to get to his feet.
Cortez is in a horrible position here. Rapacon smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Cortez is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
The referee warns Cortez that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Rapacon landing strikes from the mount and Cortez is in trouble!
Cortez wants to try and get back to his feet.
Cortez is in a horrible position here. Rapacon smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rapacon won't let Cortez get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Rapacon landing strikes, looking to finish!
Rapacon raining down shots from the mount!
Rapacon landing strikes from the mount and Cortez is in trouble!
Rapacon postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Cortez looks a forlorn figure.
Rapacon breaks from Cortez's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Rapacon cracks Cortez with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Rapacon wants to control the pace but Cortez is squirming around nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rapacon won't let Cortez get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Roque Rapacon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Roque Rapacon showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cortez 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Cortez!