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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shaun Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Balu Rafter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Balu Rafter acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.
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| 190 cm
20
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0 |
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175 cm
22
160 lbs
1 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart |
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BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Granite chin |
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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, Shaun Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Balu Rafter!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Steve Erwin and John Mangel.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rafter stuffs the takedown.
Thompson swats away the attempt to clinch by Rafter.
Thompson tries to clinch up
and Rafter counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rafter.
Rafter lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Thompson wants to stall.
Thompson can't get the takedown.
Thompson fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaun Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right from Rafter on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rafter.
Thompson is working for takedown but Rafter is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rafter has Thompson pressed against the cage.
Rafter blocks a body shot from Thompson.
Rafter lands a left hand.
Thompson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thompson successfully pulls guard.
Rafter wanted to stand there but Thompson had control of the position.
Thompson working a defensive guard here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Thompson holds on and takes a little breather.
Thompson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thompson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Thompson wants to stand but Rafter is controlling the position.
Thompson trying to keep a closed guard but Rafter is proving a slippery customer.
That's two 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.
Rafter wants to stand and escape but instead Thompson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Rafter really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Thompson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rafter holds on and takes a little breather.
Thompson gets to his feet - Rafter follows without any prompting.
Rafter is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rafter tries to clinch up but Thompson circles away and keeps his distance.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson tries to clinch
and Rafter counters by moving into the clinch.
Rafter'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.
Rafter dodges an elbow strike from Thompson.
Rafter lands with a short shot to the head.
Thompson wants to stall.
A short right from Rafter on the inside.
Thompson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thompson is breathing heavily.
A short right from Rafter on the inside.
Rafter lands a hook that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Rafter gets through Thompson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Rafter.
Thompson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Thompson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rafter fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Thompson circles away from the clinch attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thompson.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rafter slips a jab and a cross from Thompson.
Thompson tries to land a front kick but Rafter steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rafter moves into the clinch successfully.
Rafter digs a right hand into Thompson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Thompson's gas tank.
Rafter lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rafter scores with a shot to the side of Thompson's head.
Rafter lands a nice shot to the body.
Rafter lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rafter lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Thompson tries to land knees in the clinch but Rafter avoids the damage to the body.
Thompson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rafter pushes Thompson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rafter lands with a light punch inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rafter takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Thompson jumps guard but Rafter stands there with Thompson around his waist. Thompson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A right handed body shot lands from Rafter.
Rafter leaning his opponent against the cage.
Thompson trying to stall but Rafter improves his position.
Rafter manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Balu Rafter dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Rafter has Thompson up against the cage in a clinch.
Rafter just leaning against Thompson, taking a breather.
Rafter lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Thompson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rafter is leaning against Thompson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rafter working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Thompson jumps guard but Rafter stands there with Thompson around his waist. Thompson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Thompson is trying to break free.
Rafter scores with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Thompson looking for a takedown.
Thompson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rafter lands a shoulder strike.
Thompson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rafter lands a hook that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Rafter makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rafter working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Thompson is looking to control Rafter's arms but Rafter gets an underhook and turns him. Now Thompson has his back to the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafter lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Thompson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rafter pressing his opponent against the cage.
A short right from Rafter.
Rafter lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rafter lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Thompson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A short left from Rafter.
Thompson trying to stall but Rafter improves his position.
Rafter pushes Thompson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rafter lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rafter scores with a shoulder strike.
Rafter lands a nice uppercut.
Rafter scores with a shot to the side of Thompson's head.
Rafter lands with a left to the head.
Rafter lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Thompson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rafter.
Thompson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rafter prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaun Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rafter lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rafter makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Thompson takes a shot to the head.
Rafter has Thompson pressed against the cage.
Rafter working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rafter.
Rafter throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Thompsons head.
The is referee keeping an eye on Rafter - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Rafter lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Thompson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rafter pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rafter taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Thompson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shaun Thompson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thompson fails to land the takedown.
Shaun Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big left from Rafter misses.
Thompson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rafter pinned against the cage. Rafter gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thompson fails with a takedown attempt.
Thompson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rafter pinned against the cage. Rafter gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rafter moves into the clinch.
Thompson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thompson goes for a takedown attempt but Rafter pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Thompson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rafter tries to avoid it but Thompson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rafter to the ground. Rafter escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rafter instigates a clinch.
Rafter scores with a shot to the side of Thompson's head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rafter.
Rafter avoiding damage.
Thompson looking to slow down the pace here.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Rafter creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson clinches but Rafter breaks the clinch
and Rafter counters by clinching up.
Thompson with a knee to the head.
Thompson tries to stall but Rafter uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Rafter pushes Thompson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rafter.
Rafter working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rafter stalling.
Rafter lands a shoulder strike.
Rafter lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Rafter lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Rafter.
Still in the clinch, Rafter scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rafter lands a hook to the side of the head.
Thompson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rafter pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rafter lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Rafter.
Thompson can't break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rafter lands a hook that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rafter.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rafter.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rafter.
With the fighters up against the cage, Thompson throws an elbow but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Balu Rafter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!
A punch combination from Rafter misses.
Thompson tries to clinch up
and Rafter counters with a straight right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thompson.
Thompson tries to clinch up
and Rafter holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rafter gets underhooks to prevent Thompson's takedown attempt.
Rafter lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rafter lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rafter.
A nice left hand lands by Rafter.
A short uppercut from Rafter.
A short right from Rafter.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rafter lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rafter.
Rafter lands a nice uppercut.
Rafter pushes Thompson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rafter scores with a nice hook to the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson trying to stall but Rafter improves his position.
Thompson tries to pull guard but Rafter holds him up against the cage and eventually Thompson drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaun Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rafter scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rafter lands a hook that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
Rafter lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rafter stalling against the cage.
A short right from Rafter on the inside.
Rafter lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch but Rafter keeps him there for the moment.
Rafter lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rafter scores with a shot to the side of Thompson's head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rafter.
Rafter lands a left hand.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Rafter creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Thompson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Rafter counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rafter.
Thompson looking to stall.
A short right from Rafter.
A short right from Rafter.
Rafter throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Thompsons head.
Thompson misses with a body punch.
Rafter lands a body punch.
Rafter working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rafter scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A nice left hand lands by Rafter.
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.
Rafter softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Thompson takes a shot to the head.
Rafter lands a left hand that snaps the head of Thompson backwards.
A short uppercut from Rafter.
A nice left hand lands by Rafter.
Rafter is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Thompson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rafter gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The referee calls for Rafter to work.
Thompson wants to stall.
Thompson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A slapping leg kick lands for Thompson.
Thompson scores with a head kick.
Rafter has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rafter lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rafter softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Thompson successfully pulls guard.
Thompson keeping full guard, as Rafter tries to pass.
Thompson is looking to stand up but Rafter isn't so interested in that idea.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Thompson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rafter does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
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.
Thompson wants to stand up but Rafter is controlling the position.
Thompson is looking to advance position but Rafter won't allow it.
Rafter trying to control but Thompson postures up.
Thompson stops Rafter from getting back to his feet.
Shaun Thompson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
And that's the end of the fight!
Shaun Thompson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rafter 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Balu Rafter!
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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
28% |
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