PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rod Raskolnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe McJoe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Raskolnikov
vs
McJoe

173 cm
20
146 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

150 cm
27
130 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
KO power

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Determined

MayheM sportswear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rod Raskolnikov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Joe McJoe!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Vladimir Khabensky and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McJoe smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McJoe closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Raskolnikov stuffs the takedown.
McJoe throws a body shot but no joy.

McJoe bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
McJoe prevents Raskolnikov from escaping the position.
McJoe wants to control but Raskolnikov is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Raskolnikov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The ground and pound from McJoe seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
McJoe advances to mount.
Raskolnikov wants to hold on but McJoe pushes him away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raskolnikov tries to buck McJoe off but he can't manage it.
McJoe wants to control the pace but Raskolnikov is squirming around nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raskolnikov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by McJoe.
McJoe looking to control but Raskolnikov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
McJoe throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
McJoe can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Raskolnikov is looking to escape.
Raskolnikov's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McJoe jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Raskolnikov manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Raskolnikov is trying to buck McJoe off.
Raskolnikov regains half guard there - taking advantage of McJoe's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
McJoe trying to control from half guard but Raskolnikov is working away.
McJoe stops Raskolnikov from getting back to his feet.

McJoe is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
We've been hearing good reports from Raskolnikov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Raskolnikov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov pushes McJoe off looking to stand but McJoe dives back in and keeps control.

Raskolnikov kicks off McJoe and gets to his feet.
McJoe looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Raskolnikov is fending him off so far but McJoe persists. Nope, Raskolnikov circles away and we're back to standing.
McJoe misses with a series of wild punches.

Raskolnikov closes the distance and pushes McJoe back into the cage.
Raskolnikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McJoe is defending well for now.
Raskolnikov lands a left hand.
A knee to the head by Raskolnikov.

It looks like Joe McJoe has been cut.
McJoe takes a shot to the head.
Raskolnikov lands with a left to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McJoe is trying to pull guard but Raskolnikov has him pressed against the cage.
Rod Raskolnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe McJoe.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raskolnikov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
McJoe is trying to pull guard but Raskolnikov has him pressed against the cage.
McJoe tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Raskolnikov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Raskolnikov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Raskolnikov lands an elbow inside.
A head punch on the inside from Raskolnikov fails to land.
McJoe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Raskolnikov lands with a short shot to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rod Raskolnikov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe McJoe's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Raskolnikov moves into the clinch.
Raskolnikov lands a nice elbow.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Raskolnikov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Raskolnikov lands a left hand that snaps the head of McJoe backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Raskolnikov.
A short right from Raskolnikov.
Nice elbow from Raskolnikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McJoe ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. McJoe no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Raskolnikov wants to get up but he can't break McJoe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Raskolnikov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Raskolnikov is looking to stand up but McJoe won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raskolnikov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McJoe, up you get!
Raskolnikov throws a hook but McJoe blocks it.
McJoe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov thuds a left hand into McJoe's body.
Raskolnikov throws a jab when McJoe was well out of range.
Raskolnikov throws a series of punches but McJoe moves out of range.
Rod Raskolnikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A nice leg kick lands there from McJoe.
McJoe fails with a takedown attempt.
Raskolnikov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from McJoe.
A slow jab from Raskolnikov misses its intended target.
Raskolnikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McJoe.
Raskolnikov throws a sloppy head kick and McJoe moves out of range easily.

Raskolnikov forces McJoe back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
McJoe is breathing heavily.
Raskolnikov throws an elbow that misses.
Raskolnikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Raskolnikov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Raskolnikov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
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!
Raskolnikov lands with a light punch inside.
Raskolnikov scores with a shot to the side of McJoe's head.
Raskolnikov lands a good knee to the midsection. McJoe won't want to take too many of those.
A short uppercut from Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Raskolnikov trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Raskolnikov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McJoe backwards.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Raskolnikov.

That has opened up Joe McJoe's cut even more.
Raskolnikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McJoe tries to pull guard but Raskolnikov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Raskolnikov scores a nice knee to the body.
Raskolnikov throws an elbow that misses.
Raskolnikov lands a knee to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McJoe.
Raskolnikov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Raskolnikov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rod Raskolnikov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Raskolnikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Raskolnikov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raskolnikov lands an elbow that stopped McJoe in his tracks for a moment.
Raskolnikov lands a damaging elbow.
Raskolnikov throws a punch but it's blocked by McJoe.
Raskolnikov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Raskolnikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Raskolnikov misses with an elbow strike.
Raskolnikov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Raskolnikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Raskolnikov fails to land.
Raskolnikov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
McJoe tries to pull guard but Raskolnikov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rod Raskolnikov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe McJoe's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A big right from Raskolnikov misses.

McJoe scores with a takedown into Raskolnikov's guard.
McJoe forces his way into half guard.
McJoe passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Raskolnikov!
McJoe looking to control but Raskolnikov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McJoe prevents Raskolnikov from getting the reversal.

McJoe working for a submission but Raskolnikov is keeping him at bay.
Raskolnikov is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by McJoe there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Raskolnikov is wriggling around trying to escape.
McJoe thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
McJoe throws some wild stikes that Raskolnikov manages to avoid easily.
McJoe unloads with some shots from mount but Raskolnikov bucks and avoids them well.
Raskolnikov really wants to buck McJoe off and get back to his feet.
McJoe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Raskolnikov trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McJoe working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Raskolnikov is squirming around, avoiding McJoe's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McJoe throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
McJoe throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Raskolnikov because McJoe loaded up on that one.

McJoe gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
McJoe looks for a takedown but Raskolnikov sprawls well.
Raskolnikov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Rod Raskolnikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Raskolnikov moves into the clinch.
A short right from Raskolnikov.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Raskolnikov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McJoe is trying to pull guard but Raskolnikov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Raskolnikov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McJoe avoids it.
A short uppercut from Raskolnikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McJoe takes a knee to the side of the body.
McJoe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Raskolnikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Raskolnikov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Raskolnikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Raskolnikov lands an elbow inside.

McJoe is rocked!
Raskolnikov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Raskolnikov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of McJoe backwards.
McJoe is still on wobbly legs! Can Raskolnikov finish him?

The cut above Joe McJoe's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
McJoe takes a knee to the side of the body.
Raskolnikov lands an elbow that stopped McJoe in his tracks for a moment.
Raskolnikov lands an elbow inside.
Raskolnikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McJoe can do to turn this around?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McJoe's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Raskolnikov pushes McJoe against the cage. Raskolnikov is working some dirty boxing. Raskolnikov pushes off with a quick right hook! McJoe goes down! McJoe tries to stand but stumbles back to his kness! Raskolnikov moves in to finish and the ref steps in to prevent any more damage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rod Raskolnikov!
Rod Raskolnikov retains his bantamweight title!