PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ben Bitag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juno Rawlins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Bitag
vs
Rawlins

182 cm
20
150 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

172 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Intelligent

Happy Pills

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ben Bitag!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Juno Rawlins!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Josh West and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bitag slips a jab and a cross from Rawlins.
Rawlins throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bitag.
Rawlins on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bitag. Bitag obviously looking to wear him down.
Bitag ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Bitag drives through with a takedown into Rawlins's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Bitag lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rawlins keeping moving, preventing Bitag from controlling successfully.

Bitag is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bitag working some strikes from top position.
Rawlins keeping moving, preventing Bitag from controlling successfully.
Bitag working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bitag trying to control the position from guard on top but Rawlins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitag throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rawlins works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bitag trying to control but Rawlins is working from the bottom.
Bitag throws a big elbow that misses.
Bitag trying to control the position from guard on top but Rawlins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bitag throws a big elbow that misses.
Bitag postures up and lands a big shot to Rawlins's brow.

Bitag drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bitag jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bitag.

Bitag is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bitag loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Bitag drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bitag jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bitag wants to control from the top but Rawlins keeps moving.
Bitag is looking to work some ground and pound but Rawlins has wrist control.

Bitag drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bitag jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitag is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Bitag trying to control but Rawlins is working from the bottom.
Bitag controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Bitag trying to control but Rawlins is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Ben Bitag wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Bitag dives in and grabs Rawlins's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rawlins pushes down on Bitag's head and hops out.
Rawlins throws the left hand but Bitag avoids the punch easily.
Rawlins misses with a straight left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rawlins cracks Bitag with a good jab.
Rawlins misses with a looping left.
Bitag fails to land the takedown.
Rawlins connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bitag's hands.
Bitag closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rawlins circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Bitag. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rawlins connects with a crisp jab.
Bitag shoots and misses
and Rawlins counters with a stiff right hand.
Rawlins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rawlins throws a combination that misses

and Bitag counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rawlins!
Rawlins looks gassed!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bitag avoids the attempt from Rawlins to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bitag quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Bitag but it's paid off an Rawlins is forced to tap! Nice work by Bitag.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ben Bitag!
Ben Bitag bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.