PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rondon Ragen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manny Pacquiao (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.

Ragen
vs
Pacquiao

180 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rondon Ragen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Manny Pacquiao!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, John Mangel and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pacquiao looks to land a combination but Ragen avoids it well.
Ragen doesn't manage to clinch there - Pacquiao circles away.
Pacquiao slaps away a takedown attempt from Ragen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pacquiao connects with the punch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Pacquiao.
Pacquiao throws a nice looking combination but Ragen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Ragen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Ragen trying to control the action but Pacquiao is working from the bottom.
Ragen throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ragen prevents Pacquiao from escaping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragen tries to score with some ground and pound. Pacquiao controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Ragen is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Pacquiao will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pacquiao is pushing Ragen's head away, looking to escape. Ragen manages to hold on to the position though.
Pacquiao is not content to let Ragen control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pacquiao connects with a looping right hand.
Ragen shoots for a double leg takedown but Pacquiao sprawls well. He's pushed Ragen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Ragen scores a takedown into full mount!
You get the feeling that Pacquiao really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Ragen trying to control but Pacquiao is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ragen wants to control but instead Pacquiao manages to regain half guard.
Ragen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ragen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pacquiao is staying active underneath Ragen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ragen content to control rather than advance.
Ragen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pacquiao does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rondon Ragen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ragen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Pacquiao did well to prevent Ragen getting side control.
Pacquiao tries to kick Ragen off but Ragen keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ragen wants to take a breather but Pacquiao is having none of it.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Rondon Ragen just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Ragen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pacquiao.

Ragen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Ragen thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Ragen stands up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragen dodges the punch combination from Pacquiao.
Pacquiao throws a one two combo.
Pacquiao lands the left hand.
Pacquiao tries to bum rush Ragen with a series of wild strikes but Ragen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Left hook, right uppercut from Pacquiao.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao throws a nice looking combination but Ragen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pacquiao shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pacquiao fails with a takedown attempt.
Rondon Ragen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ragen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pacquiao sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rondon Ragen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pacquiao misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pacquiao looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ragen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Pacquiao counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ragen shoots in for a takedown but Pacquiao shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao connects with the punch.
Ragen tries to clinch up.
Pacquiao looks to land a combination. Ragen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ragen shoots in but Pacquiao avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Pacquiao throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ragen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pacquiao displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The crowd cheers as Pacquiao lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ragen doesn't seem phased though.
Pacquiao lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ragen circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice straight punches there by Pacquiao. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Pacquiao.
Ragen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pacquiao as he jumps to the side.
Ragen moves out of range of the body kick from Pacquiao.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Pacquiao!
Ragen dodges the punch combination from Pacquiao.

Pacquiao gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ragen is looking to advance position but Pacquiao has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Pacquiao looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Pacquiao moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Ragen has worked his arm free - good work by Ragen!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rondon Ragen will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Pacquiao throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pacquiao will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Ragen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Pacquiao was covering up waiting for the punch and Ragen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ragen trying to control but Pacquiao is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pacquiao wants to stand and escape but Ragen is having none of it.
Ragen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ragen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ragen tries to free his leg and advance position but Pacquiao is retaining full guard.

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.
Ragen prevents Pacquiao from getting back to his feet.
Ragen trying to control but Pacquiao is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No joy there for Pacquiao, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pacquiao takes a kick to the side of the head.
Manny Pacquiao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Ragen as Pacquiao shoots in.
Pacquiao rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ragen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Pacquiao tests Ragen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Pacquiao tries to bum rush Ragen with a series of wild strikes but Ragen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Pacquiao throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ragen doesn't manage to clinch there - Pacquiao circles away.
A punch combination from Pacquiao misses.
Ragen is looking to slow Pacquiao down with leg kicks.

That's four 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.

Ragen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pacquiao looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Pacquiao tries to escape but Ragen is in control.
Ragen throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Pacquiao works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Ragen trying to control the action but Pacquiao is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rondon Ragen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ragen, 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rondon Ragen!