PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juan Tamad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leafar Rafael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tamad
vs
Rafael

200 cm
27
300 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

198 cm
22
297 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Empire Threads - Featuring Deadly Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Juan Tamad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Leafar Rafael!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Joseph Jones and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rafael throws a leg kick but Tamad sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rafael looks to score with a jab to the body but Tamad is just out of range.
Rafael is looking to land body kicks.
Rafael looks to throw the jab but Tamad is out of range.
Tamad fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rafael manages to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Rafael.
Tamad avoids the head kick by Rafael.
Rafael swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rafael tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rafael throws a body punch but Tamad moves out of range.
Rafael fails to land with a series of punches.
Rafael fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tamad manages to avoid it.
Rafael throws a looping overhand right but Tamad ducks down to avoid it.
Rafael misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rafael falls off balance throwing a combination

and Tamad counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rafael won't be happy with that.
Tamad remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Tamad creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rafael sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamad controlling the position from side mount.
Tamad postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Rafael is letting Tamad control him for a moment.

Tamad wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rafael, who protects the arm well.
Tamad prevents Rafael from escaping the position.
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.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A lull in the action here.

Tamad swings around for an armbar but Rafael sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Tamad's guard.
Rafael wants to get up but he can't break Tamad's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Juan Tamad.
Rafael throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tamad uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rafael.
Rafael throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tamad.
Rafael throws a sloppy head kick and Tamad moves out of range easily.
Tamad avoids the head kick by Rafael.
Rafael looks gassed!
Rafael avoids the body shot from Tamad.

Tamad shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tamad seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Tamad is looking for a kimura but Rafael is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tamad to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tamad controlling the pace.

Tamad is looking for a kimura here.
Rafael blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tamad.
Tamad wants to pass to mount but Rafael is defending the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Tamad dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rafael ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tamad moves away.
Rafael lands with a kick to the temple. Tamad shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Juan Tamad has been cut.
Tamad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Tamad scores a takedown into full mount!

Tamad is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rafael has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Tamad can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rafael is looking to escape.
Tamad takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamad thowing shots but they're missing.
Tamad looking to control and managing it successfully.

Tamad swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Rafael is now in Tamad's guard. A big mistake from Tamad there, giving up the dominant position!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Tamad managing to control the position.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Juan Tamad.
A cross from Rafael lands.
Rafael fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rafael pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rafael swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tamad counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rafael thinking.
Rafael is breathing heavily.
Tamad uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rafael.

Rafael tries to sprawl but Tamad drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Tamad is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tamad missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tamad wants to pass the guard but Rafael is defending well.
Tamad controlling the action here.
Tamad is keen to just control but Rafael is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Tamad thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tamad not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tamad misses with a head shot. Rafael uses the momentum to regain guard.
Rafael can't keep his opponent in guard - Tamad advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tamad perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rafael avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tamad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Leafar Rafael will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Juan Tamad's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Rafael misses with a wild body shot.
Rafael misses with a low kick.
Tamad just misses with a punch to the body.
Rafael misses with a kick to the body.
Tamad is looking to wear down Rafael with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Tamad avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rafael feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tamad's calf.
Rafael misses with a head kick.
Leafar Rafael is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tamad misses with a wild body shot.
Tamad misses the shot to the body.
Tamad avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rafael misses with a head kick.
Rafael ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tamad moves away.
Rafael throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rafael takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tamad. Rafael does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamad misses the shot to the body.
Rafael tries a head kick but it misses.
Rafael misses with a combination

and Tamad counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Tamad sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rafael defending well though.
Tamad throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Still in half guard, Tamad seems content to control.

Tamad is trying to work for a kimura but Rafael is defending well.
Tamad keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tamad's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Tamad wants to pass the guard but Rafael is defending well.
Rafael is trying to stand.
Rafael is not content to let Tamad control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Juan Tamad just wasn't active enough.
Tamad tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rafael was well out of range. Poor timing from Tamad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rafael swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Tamad counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rafael!

Tamad moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Rafael has worked his arm free - good work by Rafael!
Tamad controlling the position.
Tamad in side control, throwing shots but Rafael defends.
Tamad taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tamad is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Rafael looks calm but he's in trouble here. Tamad gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Rafael is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Tamad lets go of the hold and Rafael can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Juan Tamad!