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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raja Wijaya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roger Birbiglia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 189 cm
21
189 lbs
9 - 3 - 0 |
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186 cm
22
199 lbs
12 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Raja Wijaya!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Roger Birbiglia!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Donatello Bradman and Ben Hemmingworth.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Birbiglia throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Birbiglia tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wijaya was well out of range. Poor timing from Birbiglia.
Wijaya uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Birbiglia.
Wijaya tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Birbiglia manages to circle out of the way.
Wijaya tries to close the distance and clinch but Birbiglia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Birbiglia throws a looping overhand right but Wijaya ducks down to avoid it.
Birbiglia misses with a hook. Wijaya ducked under it nicely.
Birbiglia misses with an uppercut. Wijaya saw that one coming.
Birbiglia misses with a wild body shot.
Wijaya tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Birbiglia defends well and Wijaya ends up having to push Birbiglia into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Wijaya looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Wijaya shoots in but Birbiglia avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wijaya drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Wijaya landing with the ground and pound.
Birbiglia trying to keep a closed guard but Wijaya is proving a slippery customer.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Wijaya throwing strikes from guard but Birbiglia blocks nicely.
Birbiglia keeping full guard, as Wijaya tries to pass.
Birbiglia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wijaya doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wijaya manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Wijaya landing with the ground and pound.
Birbiglia is trying to keep Wijaya in close.
Wijaya throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Birbiglia works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Birbiglia tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wijaya postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Wijaya is in close to Birbiglia's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birbiglia manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wijaya manages to get himself to full guard.
Wijaya trying to keep a closed guard but Birbiglia is proving a slippery customer.
Birbiglia in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Birbiglia is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Wijaya is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Birbiglia throwing strikes but missing.
Birbiglia trying to control but Wijaya is working from the bottom.
Birbiglia throwing strikes but missing.
Birbiglia is in close to Wijaya's body, working some short punches and elbows.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birbiglia trying to control the position from guard on top but Wijaya is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Birbiglia accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Birbiglia landing some decent shots from guard.
Birbiglia scoring with punches to the head and body.
Birbiglia has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Birbiglia keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wijaya's head.
Birbiglia postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wijaya has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Wijaya trying to keep a closed guard but Birbiglia is proving a slippery customer.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Birbiglia working some strikes from top position.
Birbiglia trying to control the position from guard on top but Wijaya is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wijaya wants to stand but Birbiglia is controlling the position.
Wijaya manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Birbiglia manages to get himself to full guard.
Birbiglia is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wijaya is aware though and is defending well.
Wijaya stopping the sweep attempt from Birbiglia.
Wijaya throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wijaya lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Wijaya is working Birbiglia over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Wijaya loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Roger Birbiglia will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.
Wijaya drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Wijaya passes Birbiglia's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Birbiglia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Birbiglia is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Wijaya throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Birbiglia regains full guard. Nicely done.
Birbiglia trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wijaya is working Birbiglia over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Wijaya stays in close to Birbiglia's body and controls the position.
Wijaya working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Wijaya loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Our spies down at at Madz **21 Elite coaches** inform us that Birbiglia has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
That's one minute gone in the round.
Wijaya postures up and lands a big shot to Birbiglia's brow.
Wijaya preventing the sweep.
Birbiglia not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Wijaya lands a couple of digs.
Birbiglia is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wijaya postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Wijaya content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Birbiglia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wijaya is one step ahead there.
Birbiglia bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wijaya's guard.
Wijaya trying to control the position here.
Wijaya looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birbiglia distracts Wijaya with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Birbiglia is looking to work some ground and pound but Wijaya has wrist control.
Wijaya pulls Birbiglia in close to prevent any damage.
Birbiglia throwing strikes from guard but Wijaya blocks nicely.
Birbiglia's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Birbiglia won't allow Wijaya to get back to his feet.
Birbiglia missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Birbiglia stopping the sweep attempt from Wijaya.
Birbiglia wants to control from the top but Wijaya keeps moving.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Birbiglia puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Wijaya is trying to stand up here but Birbiglia is controlling him well.
Wijaya is doing well to control the position and prevent Birbiglia from advancing to side control.
Wijaya is trying to escape back to his feet but Birbiglia uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Birbiglia is looking to take a break and control but Wijaya is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Birbiglia is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Birbiglia working away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Wijaya is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Wijaya looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Birbiglia!
Wijaya is chipping away with strikes.
Birbiglia defending against the ground and pound.
Birbiglia is looking to regain half guard here but Wijaya keeps moving and retains side control.
Birbiglia manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Wijaya is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Wijaya slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wijaya looking for a sweep. Not yet Wijaya, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Raja Wijaya dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Wijaya tries to close the distance and clinch up but Birbiglia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wijaya looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Wijaya won't allow Birbiglia to sweep him here.
Wijaya wants to control from the top but Birbiglia keeps moving.
Birbiglia trying to control the position.
Wijaya scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Birbiglia has momentary wrist control but Wijaya slips an elbow through the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Wijaya's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Wijaya connects with a couple of short punches.
Birbiglia wants to sweep here but Wijaya controlling him for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wijaya accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Wijaya working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Birbiglia's head.
Wijaya stopping the sweep attempt from Birbiglia.
Birbiglia has momentary wrist control but Wijaya slips an elbow through the middle.
Wijaya keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Birbiglia's head.
Birbiglia is trying to keep Wijaya in close.
Wijaya avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Wijaya cracks Birbiglia with a solid left hand.
Wijaya lands a couple of digs.
Wijaya working some strikes from top position.
Wijaya is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Birbiglia can do to turn this around?
Wijaya preventing the sweep.
Wijaya content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Wijaya lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birbiglia trying to keep a closed guard but Wijaya is proving a slippery customer.
Birbiglia lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Wijaya tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wijaya has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Birbiglia 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 Wijaya.
Birbiglia is looking to take a break and control but Wijaya is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Birbiglia tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Wijaya tries to get back to half guard but can't.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Birbiglia misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Birbiglia scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Wijaya to see if he's OK.
Birbiglia landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Birbiglia lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Birbiglia working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Raja Wijaya overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Birbiglia prevents Wijaya from escaping the position.
Wijaya managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Birbiglia.
Birbiglia tries to score with some ground and pound. Wijaya controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Birbiglia.
Wijaya is pushing Birbiglia's head away, looking to escape. Birbiglia manages to hold on to the position though.
Birbiglia misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Birbiglia trying to control the position but Wijaya is working away.
Wijaya tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Birbiglia wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Birbiglia wants to control but Wijaya is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Birbiglia working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Raja Wijaya did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Birbiglia pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wijaya tries to counter with a takedown but Birbiglia is quick to defend against it.
Wijaya gets a takedown into half guard.
Wijaya misses with a head shot. Birbiglia uses the momentum to regain guard.
Birbiglia wants to sweep here but Wijaya controlling him for the moment.
Wijaya with a nice head shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wijaya working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Birbiglia is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wijaya is aware though and is defending well.
Wijaya postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Wijaya lands a couple of digs.
Wijaya is in close to Birbiglia's body, working some short punches and elbows.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Wijaya makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Birbiglia lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Birbiglia stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wijaya swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wijaya lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Birbiglia is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wijaya throws a big elbow that misses.
Wijaya connects with a couple of short punches.
Birbiglia trying to keep a closed guard but Wijaya is proving a slippery customer.
Wijaya postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Birbiglia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wijaya is one step ahead there.
Birbiglia trying to keep a closed guard but Wijaya is proving a slippery customer.
Wijaya works over Birbiglia with some ground and pound from guard.
Wijaya scoring with some ground and pound.
Wijaya throwing strikes from guard but Birbiglia blocks nicely.
Wijaya stands up over Birbiglia, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wijaya cracks Birbiglia with a solid left hand.
Wijaya in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wijaya trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wijaya is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Wijaya scoring with punches to the head and body.
Wijaya trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Birbiglia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wijaya doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wijaya manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Birbiglia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wijaya is one step ahead there.
Birbiglia is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Wijaya working some strikes from top position.
Wijaya throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wijaya accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Birbiglia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wijaya is one step ahead there.
Wijaya sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Birbiglia's guard.
Birbiglia moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Wijaya works over Birbiglia with some ground and pound from guard.
Wijaya works over Birbiglia with some ground and pound from guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wijaya lands a couple of digs.
Wijaya landing some decent shots from guard.
Birbiglia is trying to keep Wijaya in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Raja Wijaya had his way with Roger Birbiglia in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Birbiglia shoots in for a double leg but Wijaya sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Birbiglia tests Wijaya's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wijaya moves away from the strike by Birbiglia.
Wijaya changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Birbiglia tries to avoid it but Wijaya manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Birbiglia to the ground. Birbiglia escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wijaya looking to score a takedown here. Birbiglia is defending well but Wijaya drives through and ends up in Birbiglia's guard.
Birbiglia working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wijaya.
Birbiglia is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Wijaya postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wijaya with a nice head shot there.
Birbiglia is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Birbiglia is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wijaya is aware though and is defending well.
Wijaya is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Wijaya is in close to Birbiglia's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Wijaya trying to control the position from guard on top but Birbiglia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wijaya with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Wijaya stands up over Birbiglia, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wijaya postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Wijaya works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Birbiglia wants to control but Wijaya is keeping busy.
Wijaya thows a huge punch but Birbiglia dodges it nicely.
Wijaya looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Wijaya is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Birbiglia defends it well.
Birbiglia manages to get to full guard.
Raja Wijaya is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya scoring with some ground and pound.
Birbiglia escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Wijaya gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Birbiglia is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Wijaya preventing the sweep.
Birbiglia working a defensive guard here.
Wijaya is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Wijaya with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Wijaya avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Birbiglia is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Wijaya keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Birbiglia's head.
Roger Birbiglia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wijaya stands up over Birbiglia, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wijaya lands a couple of elbows.
Wijaya scoring with some ground and pound.
Wijaya working some strikes from top position.
Birbiglia is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wijaya defends well.
Birbiglia working a defensive guard but Wijaya passes into half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wijaya is working for a submission of some sort.
Birbiglia wants to improve his position but Wijaya is controlling well.
Birbiglia looking for submissions off his back.
Birbiglia wants to improve his position but Wijaya is controlling well.
Wijaya looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Birbiglia taking some punishment here, with Wijaya in his half guard.
Wijaya is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that's the end of the fight!
Raja Wijaya showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Wijaya 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 49:46
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raja Wijaya!
Raja Wijaya retains his light heavyweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Raja Wijaya thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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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
38% |
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