PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kaambi Ayouba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Te Rauparaha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kaambi Ayouba had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Ayouba
vs
Rauparaha

180 cm
24
185 lbs
7 - 1 - 1

168 cm
29
143 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kaambi Ayouba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Te Rauparaha!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rauparaha dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ayouba. That did some damage!
Ayouba definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Rauparaha throws a leg kick but Ayouba moved away.
Rauparaha moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ayouba checks a leg kick.
Ayouba on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rauparaha. Rauparaha obviously looking to wear him down.
Ayouba avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Ayouba scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Rauparaha pushes Ayouba off and gets back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ayouba checks the leg kick.
Rauparaha cracks the inside of Ayouba's front leg.
Ayouba scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rauparaha in his tracks.
Rauparaha attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ayouba on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rauparaha. Rauparaha obviously looking to wear him down.
Rauparaha lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ayouba's sensitive parts.
Ayouba shoots and misses
and Rauparaha counters with a low kick, right behind Ayouba 's knee.
The crowd cheers as Ayouba lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rauparaha doesn't seem phased though.
Rauparaha stalks Ayouba and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ayouba's face. Ayouba staggers backwards, shaken.
Rauparaha chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rauparaha.
Ayouba fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A lazy left from Ayouba finds it's target.
Rauparaha lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rauparaha lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Ayouba shoots in and gets a takedown into Rauparaha's guard.

Rauparaha has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Ayouba has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rauparaha.
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!

Rauparaha manages to break the clinch.
Rauparaha connects with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rauparaha scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ayouba throws a big shot that misses.
Rauparaha lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rauparaha misses with a double jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rauparaha.
Ayouba throws an overhand right that lands on Rauparaha's shoulder, as Rauparaha tries to avoid the shot.

Ayouba shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rauparaha is trying to defend but Ayouba finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Rauparaha kicks Ayouba off and gets back to his feet.
Ayouba shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kaambi Ayouba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rauparaha cracks the inside of Ayouba's front leg.
Rauparaha connects with a leg kick. Ayouba looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rauparaha throws a nice outside leg kick.

Ayouba looking to score a takedown here. Rauparaha is defending well but Ayouba drives through and ends up in Rauparaha's guard.

Rauparaha manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rauparaha turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rauparaha thumps Ayouba with a low kick.
Rauparaha slips under a jab.
Ayouba's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Ayouba shoots for a takedown but Rauparaha saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ayouba swings widly with a right hand
and Rauparaha counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ayouba throws a jab but it's blocked by Rauparaha.
Ayouba slips a jab and a cross from Rauparaha.
Ayouba on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rauparaha. Rauparaha obviously looking to wear him down.
Rauparaha looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rauparaha. That's going to slow Ayouba down.
Rauparaha feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ayouba's calf.
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!

Rauparaha gets caught flat footed, as Ayouba shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Rauparaha scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ayouba is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rauparaha.
Ayouba throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rauparaha's waist but Rauparaha gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ayouba off to one side.
Rauparaha connects with an inside leg kick.
Rauparaha feints and then cracks Ayouba's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ayouba down.
Rauparaha lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rauparaha throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rauparaha throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rauparaha connects with a body shot that sends Ayouba's belly button to the back.
Ayouba closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rauparaha circles away.
Rauparaha scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Te Rauparaha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rauparaha will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rauparaha throws a leg kick which misses Ayouba's front leg but catches the back leg as Ayouba tries to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Te Rauparaha dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A nice inside leg kick there by Rauparaha. That's going to slow Ayouba down.
Good exchange - Rauparaha coming out on top.
Rauparaha with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rauparaha misses with the combination.
Rauparaha has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ayouba pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rauparaha feints and then cracks Ayouba's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ayouba down.
Rauparaha ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ayouba fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Good leg kick by Rauparaha there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rauparaha connects with an inside leg kick.
Ayouba steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rauparaha.
Ayouba shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rauparaha defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rauparaha moves away from the strike by Ayouba.
Rauparaha flicks out a counter leg kick but Ayouba steps away.
Te Rauparaha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rauparaha scoring well with a low kick there.
Rauparaha stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kaambi Ayouba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ayouba closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rauparaha circles away.
Te Rauparaha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rauparaha slaps away a takedown attempt from Ayouba, before circling back to the center of the mat.
As Ayouba backs off Rauparaha throws a huge counter combo but Ayouba manages to avoid it all.
Rauparaha buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ayouba fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rauparaha avoids it really well and circles away.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rauparaha. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
The crowd cheers as Ayouba lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rauparaha doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rauparaha displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ayouba.
Rauparaha looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rauparaha.
Ayouba on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rauparaha. Rauparaha obviously looking to wear him down.
Rauparaha connects with a solid leg kick.
Rauparaha misses with the combination.
An attempted straight right counter from Ayouba misses the target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jab from Rauparaha.
Ayouba shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rauparaha as he avoids it easily.
An inside leg kick lands from Rauparaha.
Rauparaha lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ayouba's sensitive parts.
Ayouba tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A telegraphed right hand from Rauparaha misses the target.
Ayouba fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rauparaha.
Rauparaha swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ayouba tries for a takedown but Rauparaha sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ayouba on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Rauparaha lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ayouba's sensitive parts.
Ayouba shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rauparaha defends it nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rauparaha.
Rauparaha lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ayouba looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Rauparaha!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rauparaha tries to escape but Ayouba is in control.
Ayouba is looking to take a break and control but Rauparaha is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rauparaha is pushing Ayouba's head away, looking to escape. Ayouba manages to hold on to the position though.

Ayouba swings around for an armbar but Rauparaha sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ayouba's guard.
Rauparaha stops Ayouba from standing up.

Rauparaha stands up from guard. Let's bang!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Te Rauparaha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Ayouba's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ayouba throws a looping overhand right but Rauparaha ducks down to avoid it.
Rauparaha throws a quick inside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rauparaha.
Rauparaha throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ayouba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rauparaha sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rauparaha connects with an inside leg kick.
Rauparaha fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ayouba.
Rauparaha steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ayouba.
Ayouba chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rauparaha can pounce on him.
Rauparaha lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rauparaha thumps Ayouba with a low kick.
Ayouba shoots in for a double leg but Rauparaha sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A telegraphed right hand from Ayouba misses the target.
Rauparaha feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ayouba's calf.
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!
Ayouba stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rauparaha.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ayouba on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Rauparaha scores with a leg kick.
Ayouba shoots in looking for a takedown but Rauparaha manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ayouba's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rauparaha lands a leg kick that knocks Ayouba off balance momentarily.
Ayouba dives in and grabs Rauparaha's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rauparaha pushes down on Ayouba's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kaambi Ayouba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Rauparaha as Ayouba shoots in.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rauparaha fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ayouba.
Rauparaha throws a leg kick which misses Ayouba's front leg but catches the back leg as Ayouba tries to avoid it.
Rauparaha misses with the combination.
Rauparaha fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ayouba.
Rauparaha dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ayouba. That did some damage!
Ayouba on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rauparaha. Rauparaha obviously looking to wear him down.
Ayouba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rauparaha.
Rauparaha is looking for the big counter here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rauparaha lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rauparaha misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rauparaha feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ayouba's calf.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rauparaha.
Rauparaha throws a nice looking combination but Ayouba bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rauparaha scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ayouba shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rauparaha sprawls well. Rauparaha wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ayouba gets slowly back to his feet.
Rauparaha lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ayouba circles away quickly and effectively.
Ayouba takes one to the side of the head.
Ayouba on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ayouba just misses with a punch to the body.
Rauparaha connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rauparaha fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rauparaha connects with a solid leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rauparaha.
Ayouba misses with a takedown attempt - Rauparaha sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rauparaha throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ayouba is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rauparaha sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rauparaha with a nice cross.
Ayouba shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rauparaha defends it nicely.
Rauparaha connects with an inside leg kick.
Rauparaha throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ayouba shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rauparaha manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ayouba trying to control the position from guard on top but Rauparaha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rauparaha manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Rauparaha lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rauparaha dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ayouba. That did some damage!
Ayouba tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rauparaha swivels and escapes.
A telegraphed right hand from Ayouba misses the target.
Ayouba is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Ayouba throws the left hand but Rauparaha avoids the punch easily.
Ayouba fails to land the takedown.
Rauparaha lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

And that's the end of the fight!
Te Rauparaha comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rauparaha has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Te Rauparaha!
A relieved looking Te Rauparaha thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.