PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Rayne (ranked 24368 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Ngannou (ranked 5805 p4p, 599 weight class). Rayne's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Thunderstruck. Frankie Ngannou is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Rayne
vs
Ngannou

200 cm
19
285 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

199 cm
27
265 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eddie Rayne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frankie Ngannou!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Columbo Gatti and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ngannou tries to land a front kick but Rayne steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rayne misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ngannou takes a swing at Rayne's ribcage but misses.
Rayne with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ngannou takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Rayne darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Ngannou has one foot on Rayne's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Rayne definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ngannou looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ngannou gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Good leg kick by Ngannou there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Rayne shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rayne was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Ngannou tries to bench press Rayne off him but Rayne keeps the position.

Rayne is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ngannou has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ngannou manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Ngannou is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rayne has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ngannou is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ngannou lands with a punch from half guard.

Ngannou seems to be looking for submissions.
Rayne avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ngannou.

Ngannou is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rayne doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ngannou.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ngannou lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ngannou is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rayne doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ngannou.

Ngannou is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ngannou is looking for a kimura here.
Rayne wants to get back to his feet.
Ngannou lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ngannou tries to pass to full mount but Rayne defends it.
Ngannou throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ngannou has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ngannou frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ngannou scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Rayne?
Ngannou fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Rayne tries to hold on but Ngannou pushes him away.
A nice elbow there by Ngannou.
Rayne is in a horrible position here. Ngannou smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Ngannou takes Rayne's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Rayne is in trouble.
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!
Ngannou punches Rayne on the ear.

Ngannou is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Rayne is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Frankie Ngannou!