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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Craig Rave (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maricue Russel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 185 cm
32
193 lbs
21 - 16 - 0 |
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190 cm
25
200 lbs
10 - 6 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
21 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Craig Rave!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Maricue Russel!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rave takes the fight into the clinch.
Rave stops a takedown attempt from Russel.
Rave lands a left hand.
Russel avoiding damage as Rave throws knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Rave - that landed with a thud.
Russel prevents a body shot from Rave.
Rave cracks Russel with a nice body shot.
Rave gets underhooks to prevent Russel's takedown attempt.
Rave lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rave misses with a knee to the head.
Russel has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rave uses from the top position.
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.
Russel has a closed guard, preventing Rave from standing up.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rave controls from within his opponent's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rave has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Russel is proving hard to escape from.
Rave is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We're going to have a standup here because Craig Rave wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Rave scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A head kick from Rave lands but Russel takes it in his stride.
Rave tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Russel counters with a series of strikes. Rave will be more careful next time no doubt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rave clinches up against the cage.
Russel has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rave is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Craig Rave has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maricue Russel.
Rave struggles to land a body shot inside as Russel controls his hands.
Russel throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Raves head.
Rave creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Russel's defenses.
Rave gets underhooks to prevent Russel's takedown attempt.
Rave landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rave.
Rave putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Russel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rave lands an elbow that stopped Russel in his tracks for a moment.
Russel takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rave gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Russel.
Rave lands with a left to the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russel turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Russel manages to end up in side control.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Russel working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Rave is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rave wants to get back to his feet but Russel drags him back down.
Russel is looking to take a break and control but Rave is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rave wants to get back to his feet but Russel drags him back down.
Russel is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rave knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rave tries to escape but Russel is in control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russel is trying to get an arm triangle but Rave is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rave is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Russel scores with punches from side control.
Russel working away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Russel trying to control the position but Rave is working away.
Russel lands a decent elbow from side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rave gets back to half guard.
Rave is trying to stand.
Rave moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Craig Rave dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Russel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Russel swats away the attempt to clinch by Rave.
Rave tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rave is looking to clinch but Russel is avoiding it.
Russel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rave tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Russel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've been told by Rave's head coaches at Steel Penn Icon Training Grounds that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Craig Rave seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rave throws a head kick that misses.
Rave fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Russel sprawls well initially but Rave persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rave prevents Russel from improving his position.
Rave is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Russel is just riding it out for now. Rave eventually gives up the hold.
Russel blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rave.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rave tries to stand and escape but Russel is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russel makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Russel.
Rave would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Rave slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rave has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Russel is proving hard to escape from.
Russel wants to sweep here but Rave controlling him for the moment.
Rave wants to stand but Russel has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Russel is controlling Rave's posture.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Craig Rave just wasn't active enough.
Rave forces Russel back against the cage and clinches.
Rave misses with an elbow over the top.
Rave tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Russel avoids it.
Russel goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rave prevents it.
Russel is trying to force a seperation but Rave has the dominant position.
Russel gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Russel got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rave has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Russel has managed to get both his arms back between Rave's legs - danger averted.
Rave has a closed guard, preventing Russel from standing up.
Rave wants to get back to his feet but Russel is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russel wants to control from the top but Rave keeps moving.
Russel throws a strike but Rave rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Rave would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Rave wants to stand and escape but instead Russel has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Russel postures up.
Russel scoring with some ground and pound.
Russel postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Craig Rave dominated that second round.
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!
Russel circles away from the clinch attempt
and Russel counters with a shoot takedown. Rave fights it but they end up in guard.
Rave trying to keep a closed guard but Russel is proving a slippery customer.
Rave is looking to stand up but Russel isn't so interested in that idea.
Russel stands up over Rave, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Russel slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russel working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Maricue Russel has got the better of the ground game so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rave can't do much from the bottom here.
Rave is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Russel off and has taken his back!
Rave controlling from the back.
A lull in the action here.
Rave biding his time, looking for the opening.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Will Rave go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Rave just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Craig Rave just wasn't active enough.
Rave doesn't manage to clinch there - Russel circles away.
Rave tries to clinch but Russel moves out of range.
Russel shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rave manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rave wants to stand up but Russel is controlling him.
Maricue Russel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rave wants to sweep but no luck.
Russel throws an elbow that misses. Rave uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Russel's guard. Nice move by Rave!
Rave has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Russel is proving hard to escape from.
Rave wants to pass the guard but Russel is keeping the position.
Russel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rave is one step ahead there.
Russel looking for a guillotine here but Rave defends easily.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rave is looking to stand up but Russel won't let him.
Craig Rave is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rave avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Maricue Russel.
I think Rave has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Rave!
A victorious Craig Rave thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
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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
63% |
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