PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Te Rauparaha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Bailey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alex Bailey has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Te Rauparaha's chin.

Rauparaha
vs
Bailey

168 cm
30
143 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

172 cm
23
144 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Te Rauparaha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alex Bailey!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Shimada and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bailey misses with a hook.
It looked like Rauparaha wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Bailey misses with a hook. Rauparaha ducked under it nicely.
Rauparaha feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Bailey lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bailey throws a body shot but no joy.
Rauparaha throws a front kick aimed at Bailey's knee but Bailey avoids it well.
Bailey throws an off balance right hand
and Rauparaha counters with an inside leg kick.
Rauparaha fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bailey checks it well.
Bailey misses with a wild body shot.
Rauparaha throws a big counter combination but Bailey scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bailey with a poor takedown
and Rauparaha counters with a nice uppercut.
Rauparaha takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bailey connects with a nice looking jab.
Bailey misses with a straight right.
Bailey swings widly with a right hand
and Rauparaha connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bailey misses with a combination
and Rauparaha counters with a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailey throws a right hand that misses
and Rauparaha counters with a good low kick that Bailey was not able to check.
Jab, jab by Bailey - just one landing.
We've been told by Rauparaha's head coaches at Lock and Roll Grappling Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Bailey shoots in and bounces Rauparaha off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rauparaha wants to sweep but no luck.
Bailey scoring with some ground and pound.

Rauparaha is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bailey defends well.
Bailey tries to free his leg and advance position but Rauparaha is retaining full guard.
Rauparaha pulls Bailey in to control the position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Bailey working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bailey controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bailey working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bailey throwing strikes from guard but Rauparaha blocks nicely.
Rauparaha pulls Bailey in to control the position.
Bailey missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bailey throws a big right hand that misses.
Bailey postures up in Rauparaha's guard and throws a big left but Rauparaha blocks it.
Bailey trying to control the position from guard on top but Rauparaha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bailey trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rauparaha tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rauparaha is on top in guard.

Bailey tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Bailey looking for a guillotine here but Rauparaha defends easily.
Rauparaha passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Bailey regains half guard.
Rauparaha wants to pass the guard but Bailey is defending well.
Rauparaha passes to full mount!
Rauparaha controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bailey has given up his back here. Will Rauparaha look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Bailey trying to control the position but Rauparaha manages to sink in the hooks.

Rauparaha working for a choke but Bailey is defending well.
Rauparaha is riding his opponent, not letting Bailey buck him off.
Bailey manages to reverse the position and now he's in Rauparaha's guard. Nice work there by Bailey.
Rauparaha looking for a sweep. Not yet Rauparaha, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bailey with a nice head shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alex Bailey will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bailey misses with a lunging right hand
and Rauparaha counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bailey throws a right and a left that Rauparaha avoids nicely.
Bailey shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rauparaha pinned against the cage. Rauparaha gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Te Rauparaha is winning the standup battle so far.
Rauparaha turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bailey waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rauparaha.
Rauparaha is looking for a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rauparaha staying out of range there.
Bailey throws a series of punches but Rauparaha moves out of range.
Rauparaha seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Bailey throws a body shot but no joy.
Bailey might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Bailey misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailey tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rauparaha swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Bailey 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 Bailey off to one side.
Bailey checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bailey throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rauparaha sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rauparaha appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bailey avoids a punch combination nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bailey.
Bailey scores with a three punch combo!
Rauparaha lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Alex Bailey has been cut.
Rauparaha turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bailey lands a glancing blow to the side of Rauparaha's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rauparaha ducks under a wild hook from Bailey.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bailey shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bailey is looking to land body kicks.
As Bailey looks to move away, Rauparaha throws a big counter combo bu Bailey just gets out of the way.
A telegraphed right hand from Bailey misses the target.
Bailey thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rauparaha looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Bailey fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rauparaha on the side of the head.
Bailey waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rauparaha.
The crowd cheers as Bailey lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rauparaha doesn't seem phased though.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rauparaha. Bailey does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bailey connects with the punch.
Bailey jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rauparaha defending well as Bailey loads up on a big left hand.
Good shot there by Bailey.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rauparaha lands an overhand right.
Bailey throws out a loose jab but Rauparaha uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bailey avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rauparaha throws out a loose jab but Bailey uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bailey drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rauparaha defends it well.
Bailey misses with a looping right.
Te Rauparaha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bailey misses with a looping right.
The fighters circling - Bailey throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Te Rauparaha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bailey misses with a looping right.
Rauparaha throws a big counter combination but Bailey scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bailey comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A punch combination from Rauparaha misses.
Bailey shoots in looking for a takedown but Rauparaha manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bailey's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rauparaha throws a big counter combination but Bailey scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Te Rauparaha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Bailey.
Bailey misses with a low kick as Rauparaha jumps back.
A punch combination from Bailey misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bailey moves out of range of the leg kick from Rauparaha.
Nice body kick from Bailey.
Rauparaha takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Bailey checks a leg kick nicely.
A jab from Bailey misses.
Rauparaha swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
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!
Bailey misses with a looping right.
Rauparaha throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bailey misses with a body shot.
An inside leg kick from Rauparaha misses.
Bailey drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rauparaha defends it well.
Rauparaha moves away from the strike by Bailey.
Rauparaha looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Rauparaha's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Rauparaha duly obliges.
Bailey lands with an uppercut that bounces Rauparaha off the cage and back into range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bailey takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bailey scores with a jab to the body.
Bailey lunges at Rauparaha with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rauparaha's hand.
Bailey jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rauparaha avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It looked like Rauparaha wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Bailey swings away with a body shot that misses
and Rauparaha counters with a straight right hand.
Rauparaha throws out a leg kick but Bailey moves out of range and Rauparaha only half commits.
Rauparaha slips a jab from Bailey.
Donk. Bailey catches Rauparaha right on the button with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rauparaha looks to land a combination but Bailey avoids it well.
Bailey misses with a body kick.
No joy there for Rauparaha, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bailey throws a right hand that misses
and Rauparaha counters with a three punch combo that has Bailey backing up. Bailey nods at Rauparaha to acknowledge the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rauparaha gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bailey throws a body shot but no joy.
A bone on bone clash there as Bailey blocks the leg kick.
Rauparaha misses with a leg kick.
Bailey tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A lazy body kick from Bailey
and Rauparaha counters with a two punch combo.

Bailey is rocked!
Bailey with a nice cross.
A swing and a miss from Bailey.
Rauparaha throws a leg kick that misses.
Bailey throws out a powerful jab.
Bailey looks to throw the jab but Rauparaha is out of range.
Bailey cracks Rauparaha with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bailey shoots in but Rauparaha avoids the takedown attempt easily.
As Bailey looks to move away, Rauparaha throws a big counter combo bu Bailey just gets out of the way.
Bailey throws a nice outside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice combination there by Bailey.
Bailey swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bailey misses with a straight right.
The fighters circling - Bailey throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rauparaha swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Bailey misses with a lunging right hand
and Rauparaha counters with a two punch combo.
Bailey throws an off balance right hand
and Rauparaha counters with a thumping low kick.
Bailey misses with a straight right.
Bailey ducks right into an uppercut from Rauparaha.
Bailey is still on wobbly legs! Can Rauparaha finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Bailey blocks the leg kick.
Bailey seems to have recovered his senses.
Rauparaha steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bailey.
It looked like Rauparaha was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Bailey moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bailey walks into a stiff left hand from Rauparaha.
Bailey misses the shot to the body.
Rauparaha throws a right hand that Bailey ducks under and follows up with a left that Bailey also avoids with ease.
Bailey scores with a sloppy right hand. Rauparaha should have avoided that one.
Bailey misses with a hook
and Rauparaha counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Bailey swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bailey swings for the body but Rauparaha moves out of range.
Rauparaha looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A swing and a miss from Bailey.
Rauparaha throws a leg kick but Bailey checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bailey misses with an uppercut
and Rauparaha counters with a straight right hand.
Bailey misses with a low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bailey throws an off balance right hand
and Rauparaha counters with a two punch combo.
Bailey closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Bailey fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rauparaha half committed to a counter leg kick.
Bailey misses with a combination
and Rauparaha counters with a left to the body.
Alex Bailey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rauparaha throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bailey moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bailey tries to bum rush Rauparaha with a series of wild strikes but Rauparaha uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rauparaha throws a big counter combination but Bailey scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Te Rauparaha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bailey takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling 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 Te Rauparaha.
Well Bailey 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Bailey!
After winning the bout, Alex Bailey thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.