PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Titus Raptis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joon BigMan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Titus Raptis could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Joon BigMan's chin.

Raptis
vs
BigMan

161 cm
23
291 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

219 cm
22
289 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Titus Raptis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joon BigMan!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Viktor Lagutenko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Raptis has BigMan up against the cage in a clinch.
BigMan wants to stall.
BigMan has Raptis pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Raptis manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
BigMan wants a takedown.
BigMan has a couple of punches blocked by Raptis.
Raptis prevents the takedown attempt.
Titus Raptis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joon BigMan.

BigMan has Raptis pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. BigMan pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Raptis tumbling to the mat - BigMan dives into Raptis's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Raptis has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but BigMan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Raptis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
BigMan wants to control from the top but Raptis keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raptis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
BigMan tries to free his leg and advance position but Raptis is retaining full guard.
Raptis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
BigMan wants to control from the top but Raptis keeps moving.
BigMan is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Raptis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joon BigMan was stalling too much, according to the referee.

BigMan closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

BigMan wants to work for an arm triangle but Raptis is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Raptis wants to control but BigMan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Raptis looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Raptis tries to roll over but BigMan keeps him under control.
Raptis is working hard here to advance position.
BigMan is thwarting Raptis's attempts to control the position.
Raptis is trying to stand up here but BigMan is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BigMan is looking to take a break and control but Raptis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
BigMan tries to score a power double leg takedown but Raptis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten BigMan somewhat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Raptis.
BigMan shoots in but no luck this time.
Raptis bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
BigMan shoots in but Raptis avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A combination from Raptis does no damage.

Raptis closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming BigMan to the mat! BigMan manages to get full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if BigMan can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raptis wanted to stand there but BigMan had control of the position.
Raptis trying to control the position from guard on top but BigMan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Raptis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Raptis is looking to stand up but BigMan won't let him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
BigMan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Raptis wants to get up but he can't break BigMan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Raptis avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
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 Titus Raptis will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Raptis stuffs the takedown.
Raptis misses with a takedown

and BigMan counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by BigMan.
BigMan wants a takedown but no success here.
Raptis tries to circle away but BigMan has him pinned against the cage.
BigMan stops a takedown attempt from Raptis.
Raptis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Titus Raptis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
BigMan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
BigMan is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
BigMan leaning against his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
BigMan is working for takedown but Raptis is calmly controlling the position for now.

BigMan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice takedown defense from Raptis. No joy for BigMan on that attempt.
BigMan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Raptis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Titus Raptis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice sprawl there from BigMan as Raptis shoots in.
BigMan tries to clinch up but Raptis circles away and keeps his distance.
BigMan avoids a kick to the body.
BigMan just misses with a punch to the body.
BigMan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Raptis sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Raptis fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

BigMan closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raptis works on BigMan's body with a couple of short punches.
BigMan is breathing heavily.

Raptis pulls guard effortlessly.
Raptis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raptis is trying to keep BigMan in close.
BigMan wants to control from the top but Raptis keeps moving.
Raptis lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Raptis drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and BigMan dives on top into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
BigMan wants to control from the top but Raptis keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raptis is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. BigMan is aware though and is defending well.
BigMan slips nicely into half guard.
Raptis wants to get back to his feet.
Raptis is pressing down on BigMan's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
BigMan wants to pass the guard but Raptis is keeping the position.
BigMan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Raptis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Raptis is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
BigMan trying to control but Raptis is working from the bottom.

BigMan has gone for a leg lock! Raptis slips out almost immediately though and dives into BigMan's guard.
BigMan wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Raptis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Raptis wanted to stand there but BigMan had control of the position.
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 Titus Raptis will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Raptis clinches up with BigMan and pushes him back against the cage.
BigMan trying to control the position but instead, Raptis has worked for underhooks and has pushed BigMan into the cage.

Raptis manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Raptis looking to hit a scissor sweep but BigMan is one step ahead there.

Raptis has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. BigMan is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Raptis.
BigMan trying to control the action but Raptis is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raptis manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
BigMan is trying to get back to full guard.
BigMan slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Raptis looking to sit in guard and control but BigMan gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Raptis has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. BigMan has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raptis lands a left hand.
BigMan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Raptis prevents it.

BigMan jumps into guard, dragging Raptis to the mat.
Raptis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Raptis wants to stand but BigMan has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
BigMan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Raptis controlling from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Raptis gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Raptis shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and BigMan holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Raptis's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Raptis trying to control the position but instead, BigMan has worked for underhooks and has pushed Raptis into the cage.
Raptis is trying to break the clinch but BigMan has him pressed against the cage.
Raptis wants to get back to striking at distance but BigMan won't allow it.

Raptis successfully pulls guard.

Raptis is looking for a triangle here but BigMan uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
BigMan lands a few punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raptis is not content to let BigMan control the position.
Raptis is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Raptis is being controlled here.
BigMan working the body and head with strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Raptis can't do much from the bottom here.
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!
What's Raptis going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Titus Raptis.
Well Raptis has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Titus Raptis!
Titus Raptis thanked the fans post fight for their support.