PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tataki Mizuto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray Rabago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mizuto comes to the cage accompanied by The Beginning- One Ok Rock. Rabago has chosen Dance Gavin Dance - Strawberry Swisher Pt1 as his entrance music. Tataki Mizuto has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Mizuto
vs
Rabago

188 cm
30
161 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

180 cm
23
163 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Granite chin

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 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tataki Mizuto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ray Rabago!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rabago misses with a double jab

so Mizuto counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Mizuto throwing strikes from guard but Rabago blocks nicely.
Mizuto throwing strikes but missing.
Mizuto throws a big elbow that misses.
Mizuto throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rabago is looking to stand up but Mizuto isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mizuto looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mizuto wants to control from the top but Rabago keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rabago ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rabago throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mizuto is looking for a counter combo.
Rabago leaves Mizuto with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rabago looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rabago fails to land with a series of punches.
Rabago throws a leg kick but Mizuto moved away.
Mizuto checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Mizuto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rabago throws a right and a left that both miss.
An attempted straight right counter from Mizuto misses the target.
Rabago fails to land with a series of punches.
Rabago scores with a jab to the body.
Rabago swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Mizuto counters with a single leg into guard. Rabago didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mizuto throws a strike but Rabago rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rabago is looking to stand up but Mizuto won't let him.
My spies in Lock and Roll Grappling Gym inform me that Rabago has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Rabago gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Rabago takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Mizuto fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tataki Mizuto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rabago throws a right and a left that Mizuto avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabago throws a leg kick but Mizuto sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ray Rabago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rabago throws a combination that misses

and Mizuto counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Rabago utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rabago keeping moving, preventing Mizuto from controlling successfully.

Mizuto drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rabago looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rabago looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rabago!

Mizuto looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Rabago has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Mizuto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rabago lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mizuto circles away quickly and effectively.
Mizuto moves forwards but Rabago connects with a nice, crisp jab.

It looks like Tataki Mizuto has been cut.
Rabago lands a nice looking body shot.
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!
Rabago lands a nice looking body shot.
Rabago throws a series of strikes that have Mizuto backpedaling.
Rabago throws a solid leg kick but Mizuto takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rabago.
Mizuto checks a low kick from Rabago.
Mizuto walks into a stiff left hand from Rabago.

Mizuto is rocked!
Nice takedown defense from Rabago. No joy for Mizuto on that attempt.
Rabago tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mizuto was well out of range. Poor timing from Rabago.
Rabago throws a right hand that Mizuto ducks under and follows up with a left that Mizuto also avoids with ease.
Mizuto on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Rabago dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tataki Mizuto's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rabago connects with a body shot.
Rabago slaps away a takedown attempt from Mizuto, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rabago. Mizuto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rabago has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rabago misses with the combination.
Ray Rabago seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mizuto goes for a double leg but Rabago avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rabago continues to drive forward.
Despite the aggression on Rabago's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Rabago swinging wildly here.
Mizuto attempts a counter takedown but Rabago avoids it well and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rabago misses with a body shot.
Mizuto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rabago.
Mizuto half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabago tries to bum rush Mizuto with a series of wild strikes but Mizuto uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rabago swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mizuto was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rabago throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mizuto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rabago.
Rabago misses with a series of wild punches.
Rabago throws out a leg kick but Mizuto moves out of range and Rabago only half commits.
Rabago missing with a left hand there. Mizuto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mizuto feinted with a counter takedown.
Mizuto tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rabago defends well and Mizuto ends up having to push Rabago into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rabago lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tataki Mizuto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Rabago misses.
Rabago misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Rabago misses

and Mizuto counters with a shoot takedown. Rabago fights it but they end up in guard.
Rabago wants to stand up but Mizuto is controlling him.
Mizuto wants to control from the top but Rabago keeps moving.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mizuto throwing strikes but missing.
Rabago wants to stand and escape but Mizuto is having none of it.
Tataki Mizuto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mizuto with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mizuto working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mizuto throws an elbow that misses. Rabago uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mizuto's guard. Nice move by Rabago!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rabago gets to his feet. Mizuto looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Some wild striking there from Rabago.
Rabago swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mizuto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rabago misses with a leg kick.

Mizuto closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mizuto trying to control the action but Rabago is working from the bottom.
Rabago is trying to buck Mizuto off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mizuto scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Rabago to see if he's OK.
Mizuto is working Rabago over with some ground and pound from side control.
Rabago is trying to get back to his feet.
Mizuto working the ground and pound from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Rabago showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tataki Mizuto's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rabago misses with a series of wild punches.
Rabago misses the shot to the body.

Mizuto shoots in and gets a takedown into Rabago's guard.
Mizuto won't allow Rabago to get back to his feet.
Mizuto with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mizuto with a nice head shot there.
Mizuto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mizuto lands a couple of elbows.
Rabago wants to stand up but Mizuto is controlling him.
Mizuto wants to control from the top but Rabago keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mizuto throws an elbow that misses. Rabago uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mizuto's guard. Nice move by Rabago!

Mizuto really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Rabago decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Rabago scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rabago throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rabago falls off balance throwing a combination

and Mizuto counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Rabago!
Mizuto trying to control the action but Rabago is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rabago is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Mizuto cracks Rabago with a big right hand but Rabago just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sloppy strikes there by Mizuto.
Mizuto trying to control the action but Rabago is working from the bottom.
Rabago is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mizuto in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Mizuto lands a few punches from side control.
Mizuto is looking to take a break and control but Rabago is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mizuto has knee on belly momentarily but Rabago bucks him off and regains half guard.
Mizuto stops Rabago from getting back to his feet.
Tataki Mizuto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mizuto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mizuto throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mizuto misses with a head shot. Rabago uses the momentum to regain guard.
Mizuto trying to control the position from guard on top but Rabago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rabago pushes Mizuto off and gets back to his feet.
Rabago ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mizuto moves away.
Mizuto appears to be looking for a big counter.
Ray Rabago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rabago will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mizuto drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rabago sprawls and moves away.

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 Tataki Mizuto.
I think Rabago 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Rabago!
During a confident post fight interview, Ray Rabago thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.