DUEL#67 Romero vs Makaaja PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Derek David (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dirk Norbit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

David
vs
Norbit

190 cm
26
205 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

183 cm
26
205 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Derek David!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dirk Norbit!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Anthony Taglia and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
David needs to keep his hands up - Norbit had a free shot at his head there.

Oooooh!!! David has knocked Norbit down with a huge combo! David steps away and waves a wobbly Norbit back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Dirk Norbit has been cut.

David shoots in and bounces Norbit off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
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!
David stopping the sweep attempt from Norbit.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
David wants to control from the top but Norbit keeps moving.
David is stalling in the full guard.
Norbit looking for a sweep. Not yet Norbit, not yet.
David passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norbit takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
David working the ground and pound but Norbit is defending the strikes.
Norbit tries to bench press David off him but David keeps the position.
David has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

David working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
David is looking to take a break and control but Norbit is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
David happy to just control the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Norbit is trying to improve his position.

David tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
David working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norbit is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
David trying to control the action but Norbit is working from the bottom.
David tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
David throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
David scoring with punches from side control.
Norbit taking a bit of punishment here - David scoring with strikes.
Norbit is looking for a sweep.
Norbit tries to escape but David is in control.

David decides to stand back up.
David slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Norbit wants to slow David down by chopping away at his legs.
Norbit misses with a straight right.
David is looking to counter punch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
David tries a head kick but it misses.
David changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Norbit tries to avoid it but David manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Norbit to the ground. Norbit escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A nice combination there by Norbit.
Norbit throws a combination but it was largely blocked by David.
Norbit lands a nice hook to David's body. David takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek David dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dirk Norbit's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Norbit lands a two punch combo.
Norbit 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.

It looks like Derek David has been cut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from David.
David throws a lazy right hand but Norbit sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Norbit sizes up David with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Norbit throws an overhand right that drops David like a sack of potatoes! Norbit dives in to finish the fight with more strikes and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dirk Norbit!
Dirk Norbit gave a mention to RAGS of a RONIN in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
39%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Bunting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jer Bear (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bunting comes to the cage accompanied by Shell Shocked. Bear is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Good Times. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bunting
vs
Bear

208 cm
41
267 lbs
42 - 23 - 0

200 cm
33
275 lbs
15 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

MayheM sportswear

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 42 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Bunting!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jer Bear!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Jonathan Paton and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bear dives in for a single leg takedown but Bunting sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Bear doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bunting connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Jer Bear has been cut.
Jab from Bear.

It looks like John Bunting has been cut.
Bear throws a big shot that misses.
Bunting looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Bear throws a hook to the side of Bunting's head but Bunting sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Bunting gets tackled into the cage by Bear. Bear maintains the clinch.
Bunting lands with a short shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bunting blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bear looking to throw knees to the head but Bunting is blocking nicely.
Bunting swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bear scores with a nice hook to the head.

Bear breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bear fails to land the takedown.
John Bunting has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jer Bear.
Bear scores with a nice right hand.
Good standup being displayed there by Bunting as he connects with a hook.
Bunting uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bear has time to react.
We've been informed that Bear has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A jab lands there for Bunting.

Bear looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bunting is looking to escape.
Bunting trying to hold on to Bear's head to control him but Bear postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bear content to control rather than advance.

Bunting actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bunting wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bear controlling the action here.
Bunting keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Bunting trying to hold on to Bear's head to control him but Bear postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bear trying to control from half guard but Bunting is working away.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Bear content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bear moves out of range as Bunting strikes.
Bear throws a good cross that connects.
Bunting drops his hands momentarily and Bear takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

John Bunting's cut is getting worse.
Donk. Bear catches Bunting right on the button with a cross.
Bear has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Bear dives in for a single leg takedown but Bunting sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Bunting misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bear.
Bear only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bunting takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bear cracks Bunting with a big right hand that sees him stumbling back against the cage! Bunting falls to his knees and Bear doesn't need a second invitatation - he rushes in and fires off several unanswered shots that force the referee to stop the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:13 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jer Bear!
After winning the bout, Jer Bear thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
41%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Head Coach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simon Morgan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Morgan's choice of entrance music: Sherry Monocle. Simon Morgan struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.3lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. 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.

Coach
vs
Morgan

170 cm
33
165 lbs
22 - 13 - 3

160 cm
40
171 lbs
26 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Amped Performance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 13 - 3, fighting out of London, Head Coach!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Simon Morgan!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Steve Montenegro and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Coach throws a shot from downtown. Morgan moves away and avoids it.
Coach definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Morgan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Morgan throws a front kick aimed at Coach's knee but Coach avoids it well.
Coach throws out a loose jab but Morgan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Morgan lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Coach takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Morgan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Morgan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Morgan there as he acknowledges the shot.
Coach connects with a good right hand that stumbles Morgan. Morgan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Morgan takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Morgan lands a big head kick that sends Coach tumbling to the mat! Morgan takes a step backwards and waves Coach back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Coach is rocked!

It looks like Head Coach has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Coach throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Oh Coach is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Morgan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Morgan throws a head kick that misses.
OH! Coach has been rocked by a huge right hand and is in deep trouble! Morgan smells blood and charges in for the finish! Morgan unloads a vicious overhand right and connects to the jaw of Coach sending him face first to the canvas! Unbelievable!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Simon Morgan!
Our winner, Simon Morgan, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Felipe Feltre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyrion Lannister (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Feltre comes into the arena with Someday Never Comes blaring out of the sound system. Lannister has chosen Justin by Korn as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Feltre
vs
Lannister

170 cm
28
135 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

166 cm
39
135 lbs
30 - 20 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

MayheM sportswear

Amped Performance

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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Felipe Feltre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 20 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tyrion Lannister!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Franklyn Lucas and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A shot to the liver by Feltre. Beautiful body shot.
Feltre slips under a jab.
Lannister looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Feltre scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Lannister misses with an uppercut
and Feltre counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Feltre pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Feltre tries to sprawl but Lannister drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Feltre keeping hold of Lannister's head, controlling as best he can.
Feltre is looking for a sweep. Lannister is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Feltre is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lannister pulls his head out easily.
Feltre wants to control but Lannister is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lannister winds up and cracks Feltre with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lannister lands strikes from half guard.
Lannister is pressing down on Feltre's thigh, looking to free his foot. Feltre is holding on for now.

Feltre looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lannister is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Lannister is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Feltre sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Feltre trying to control but Lannister postures up.

Feltre looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lannister trying to control from half guard but Feltre is working away.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Lannister lands a nice short elbow.
Feltre manages to get to full guard.
Feltre is trying to keep Lannister in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Feltre keeping moving, preventing Lannister from controlling successfully.
Lannister is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lannister missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Feltre is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lannister is aware though and is defending well.
Lannister wants to control from the top but Feltre keeps moving.

Feltre is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lannister is aware though and is defending well.
Lannister postures up and lands a big shot to Feltre's brow.
Lannister showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Lannister landing some decent shots from guard.
Feltre avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Feltre working a defensive guard here.

Feltre is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lannister is aware though and is defending well.
Lannister trying to control but Feltre is working from the bottom.
Lannister looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Lannister makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Feltre can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lannister controls the pace.

Feltre is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lannister defends well.
Feltre has momentary wrist control but Lannister slips an elbow through the middle.
Feltre avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Feltre not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lannister throwing strikes from guard but Feltre blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Feltre is trying to control the position but Lannister postures up.

Feltre had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lannister defends it easily.

Lannister got a little sloppy there for a moment and Feltre has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lannister has managed to get both his arms back between Feltre's legs - danger averted.

Feltre working for a triangle but Lannister defends it easily.
Lannister works over Feltre with some ground and pound from guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Feltre looking for a guillotine here but Lannister defends easily.

Feltre had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lannister defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Feltre stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Lannister throws a body shot but no joy.
Lannister throws a lazy uppercut
and Feltre cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A combination from Lannister does no damage.
Lannister avoids the head kick by Feltre.
Tyrion Lannister is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Feltre checks the leg kick.
Feltre throws a head kick that Lannister semi-blocks.
Feltre looks to score with a jab to the body but Lannister is just out of range.
Feltre throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Feltre scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Lannister bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lannister is looking to take a break and control but Feltre is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Feltre is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Feltre gets back to half guard.
Feltre makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Feltre.

Lannister drops back, looking for a kneebar! Feltre looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Feltre looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Feltre!

Lannister is trying to control Feltre's posture but Feltre avoids it.

Feltre swings around for an armbar but Lannister sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Feltre's guard.
Feltre trying to keep a closed guard but Lannister is proving a slippery customer.

Feltre looking for a triangle here. Lannister is fighting it but it looks tight! Feltre pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Lannister is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Felipe Feltre!
After the big win, Felipe Feltre made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors MayheM sportswear and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
42%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Grant Benton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julio El Toro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benton comes to the cage accompanied by I get Knocked Down. Grant Benton is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Benton
vs
El Toro

180 cm
43
185 lbs
29 - 18 - 1

178 cm
39
196 lbs
22 - 19 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Grant Benton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Julio El Toro!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Steve Montenegro and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

El Toro gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

El Toro manages to break the clinch.
El Toro throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benton counters with a straight right hand.
El Toro misses with an uppercut
and Benton counters with a straight right hand.
El Toro tries to clinch up.
El Toro throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Benton is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by El Toro.
Benton punishes El Toro's body with a nice straight punch.
El Toro moves away from the strike by Benton.
El Toro misses with a few strikes there.

A momentary lapse in concentration from El Toro enables Benton to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. El Toro manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

El Toro manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benton is trying to push El Toro away but El Toro has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Benton slows down the pace here.
El Toro lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Benton manages to break the clinch.
El Toro has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Benton swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - El Toro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
El Toro throws out a loose jab but Benton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benton tests El Toro's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Benton misses the shot to the body.
Benton moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromEl Toro.
Benton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like El Toro was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
El Toro tests Benton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Benton throws a body shot but no joy.
Benton misses with a straight right.
Benton blocks a jab.

Oooooh!!! El Toro has knocked Benton down with a huge combo! El Toro steps away and waves a wobbly Benton back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Grant Benton has been cut.
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!

El Toro instigates a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Benton fails to land.
Benton tries a body shot but El Toro blocks it.
El Toro has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
El Toro is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
El Toro wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Benton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Benton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from El Toro! But no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Toro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Benton throws an uppercut from half a mile away. El Toro sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Benton shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. El Toro is trying to defend but Benton finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Benton is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Benton has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
El Toro wants to get back to his feet.
Benton controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benton can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as El Toro is looking to escape.
Benton sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Benton has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Benton working for a submission but El Toro is keeping him at bay.
Benton wants to take his opponent's back but El Toro doesn't allow it.
Benton tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Benton trying to control but El Toro is having none of it.
Benton controlling the position easily from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Julio El Toro will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Grant Benton's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A jab from Benton finds it's way through El Toro's defenses.

Benton feints and as El Toro raises his hands in defense, Benton changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
El Toro keeping moving, preventing Benton from controlling successfully.
Benton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Benton is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Benton wants to control from the top but El Toro keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. El Toro is keeping the position for now.

El Toro pushes Benton off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Toro throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice body punch from El Toro.
Benton jabs at El Toro's body.
Julio El Toro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
El Toro moves out of range as Benton strikes.
El Toro paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
El Toro avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
El Toro throws a body punch but Benton moves out of range.
Benton works the jab nicely.
El Toro throws a shot from downtown. Benton moves away and avoids it.
Benton throws a body shot but no joy.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by El Toro.
El Toro feints a jab promting Benton to slip. El Toro then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Benton slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
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!
Benton lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Benton looks to land a left hand but El Toro moved out of range nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from El Toro. Benton does a little dance to reset his feet.
El Toro bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Benton throws an overhand right that lands on El Toro's shoulder, as El Toro tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benton slips a straight right by El Toro.
Benton takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Benton dives in for a single leg takedown but El Toro sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
El Toro wants to clinch up but Benton keeps it at a distance.
Benton lands a jab to the nose.
A telegraphed right hand from Benton misses the target.
Benton is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by El Toro.
Benton tries for a takedown but El Toro sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
El Toro is looking to clinch.
Benton slips a straight right by El Toro.
Benton throws out a powerful jab.
El Toro lands a nice shot that snaps Benton's head back.
El Toro walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
El Toro looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Benton swings for the body but El Toro moves out of range.
El Toro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Benton throws out the jab.
Benton scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
El Toro avoids the body shot from Benton.
Julio El Toro seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benton works the jab nicely.
El Toro tries to clinch but Benton moves out of range.
El Toro takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
El Toro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Benton throws a big counter combination but El Toro scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
El Toro throws a leg kick which misses Benton's front leg but catches the back leg as Benton tries to avoid it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by El Toro.
El Toro scores with punches from side control.
Benton takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Benton throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benton misses with a takedown attempt - El Toro sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grant Benton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benton staying out of range there.
El Toro misses with an uppercut. Benton saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benton ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
El Toro throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Benton misses with the combination.
El Toro shapes to counter with a head kick.
El Toro throws an overhand right that lands on Benton's shoulder, as Benton tries to avoid the shot.
El Toro takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
El Toro tries to clinch but fails miserably
and El Toro takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
El Toro throws a hook but Benton avoids it easily.
El Toro misses with a lunging right hand
and Benton counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
El Toro rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Benton moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
El Toro throws the left hand but Benton avoids the punch easily.
It looked like Benton wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
El Toro connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Benton slips under a jab from El Toro.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
El Toro doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Benton closes the distance and lands a one-two.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Benton.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Julio El Toro will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Grant Benton's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from El Toro as Benton shoots in.
El Toro looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
El Toro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
El Toro takes a swing at Benton's ribcage but misses.
A little feinted left hand from Benton on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
El Toro keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Benton.
Benton moves away from the strike by El Toro.
El Toro rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Benton moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

El Toro closes the distance and clinches.
Benton lands a shoulder strike.
El Toro lands on the inside with an uppercut.
El Toro misses with a hook from the clinch.
El Toro looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

El Toro's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benton will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
El Toro gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Benton.
Good exchange - Benton coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Toro's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and El Toro duly obliges.
Benton dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

El Toro clinches.

El Toro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
El Toro looks to throw the jab but Benton is out of range.
El Toro throws a nice looking combination but Benton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A decent looking cross lands there for Benton.
El Toro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benton lands a nice shot that snaps El Toro's head back.
A solid leg kick lands there for El Toro.
Benton waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract El Toro.
A left lands for Benton.
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!
El Toro cracks Benton with a right hand to the side of the head.
El Toro throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benton counters with a stiff right hand.
Benton connects with a body shot.
Benton scores with a nice strike.
Benton misses with an uppercut. El Toro saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Toro looks to score with a jab to the body but Benton is just out of range.
Benton lands a nice shot that snaps El Toro's head back.
El Toro tries to clinch but Benton moves out of range.
Benton with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Benton just misses with a punch to the body.
Benton moves out of range of the strikes.
El Toro throws a hook to the side of Benton's head but Benton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Benton.
Julio El Toro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
El Toro is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
El Toro throws a jab when Benton was well out of range.
El Toro getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
El Toro scores with the left hand. Benton knows he should have avoided that one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benton. El Toro does a little dance to reset his feet.
A punch lands to the side of Benton 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Benton gets cracked with a nice right hand there by El Toro.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Benton shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches El Toro napping and manages to drive through into side control!
El Toro is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
You can see the frustration on El Toro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Benton is looking to take a break and control but El Toro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Benton decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Toro avoids a punch combination nicely.
Benton digs a good hook to El Toro's body.
Benton slips under a jab from El Toro.
El Toro lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
El Toro scores with a punch to the head.

Benton shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Benton was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benton slows the pace down.
Benton wants to lay and pray for a moment but El Toro keeps working.
Grant Benton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
You can see the frustration on El Toro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Julio El Toro.
I've got El Toro winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julio El Toro!
In his post fight interview, Julio El Toro started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
73%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Svyatoslav Vakarchuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Culver Crimson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Vakarchuk
vs
Crimson

190 cm
31
250 lbs
13 - 11 - 0

191 cm
29
244 lbs
17 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

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 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Culver Crimson!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Joseph Jones and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crimson throws a series of punches but Vakarchuk moves out of range.
Vakarchuk avoids a punch combination nicely.
Vakarchuk fires out a quick counter leg kick but Crimson just manages to avoid it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Vakarchuk.
Crimson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Vakarchuk lands a nice forearm strike.
Vakarchuk misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vakarchuk throws a strike aimed at the side of Crimson's head but Crimson avoids it well.
Vakarchuk throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Vakarchuk working the head and body with strikes.
Vakarchuk scoring with punches from side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vakarchuk throws an elbow but Crimson slips to the side and avoids it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crimson is trying to buck Vakarchuk off.
Vakarchuk cracks Crimson with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Vakarchuk throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Crimson dodges the ground and pound from Vakarchuk.
Sloppy strikes there by Vakarchuk.

Vakarchuk looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The ground and pound from Vakarchuk seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Vakarchuk tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Vakarchuk has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Vakarchuk looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Crimson is avoiding damage well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vakarchuk looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Crimson is avoiding damage well.
Crimson wants to get back to his feet but Vakarchuk drags him back down.
Vakarchuk throws an elbow but Crimson slips to the side and avoids it well.

Crimson bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Crimson throws a head kick that misses.
It looked like Vakarchuk wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Crimson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It looked like Vakarchuk wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Vakarchuk avoids the head kick by Crimson.
Vakarchuk is looking to counter punch.
Culver Crimson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vakarchuk dodges the punch combination from Crimson.
A punch combination from Crimson misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Crimson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Vakarchuk's calf.
Crimson misses the shot to the body.
Vakarchuk takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Vakarchuk shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Crimson pinned against the cage. Crimson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crimson throws a front kick aimed at Vakarchuk's knee but Vakarchuk avoids it well.
Nice defenses there by Vakarchuk.
Vakarchuk tries to counter with a takedown but Crimson is quick to defend against it.
Crimson throws a right and a left that Vakarchuk avoids nicely.
Culver Crimson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vakarchuk steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Crimson. That one must have hurt.
Crimson lands a high kick!
Vakarchuk throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Crimson's waist but Crimson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vakarchuk off to one side.
Crimson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Crimson misses with a few strikes there.
Crimson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Crimson wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Svyatoslav Vakarchuk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crimson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Crimson stuffs the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crimson misses with a double jab.
Vakarchuk showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Crimson.
Vakarchuk throwing a counter right hand but Crimson manages to avoid it.
Crimson misses with a series of wild punches.
Vakarchuk attempts a counter takedown but Crimson avoids it well and moves away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick from Crimson lands but Vakarchuk takes it in his stride.
Vakarchuk looks for a takedown but Crimson sprawls well.
No luck for Vakarchuk with that takedown attempt.
No luck for Vakarchuk with that takedown attempt.
Crimson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Culver Crimson dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Crimson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vakarchuk feinted there with a counter leg kick.

It looks like Svyatoslav Vakarchuk has been cut.
Sloppy strikes from Crimson. Those never looked like landing.
Vakarchuk wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Crimson takes a swing at Vakarchuk's ribcage but misses.
Vakarchuk blocks a head kick by Crimson.
Crimson throws a lazy head kick
and Vakarchuk counters with a nice uppercut.
Crimson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vakarchuk throwing a counter right hand but Crimson manages to avoid it.
Culver Crimson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crimson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Vakarchuk moves out of range of the strikes.
Vakarchuk changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Crimson throws a combination that misses

and Vakarchuk counters with a takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vakarchuk in side control lands a decent elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Vakarchuk wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Crimson, who protects the arm well.
Vakarchuk throws an elbow but Crimson slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vakarchuk swings around for an armbar but Crimson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Vakarchuk's guard.

Crimson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Vakarchuk looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Vakarchuk is looking for a triangle but Crimson pushes his legs off easily.

Vakarchuk looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vakarchuk is on top in guard.

Crimson keeping moving, preventing Vakarchuk from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Crimson pushes Vakarchuk off and scrambles back to his feet.
Crimson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Vakarchuk on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Crimson.
Crimson misses with a double jab.
Crimson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big right from Crimson misses.
Crimson cracks the inside of Vakarchuk's front leg.
Crimson looks to land a combination but Vakarchuk avoids it well.
Crimson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Crimson misses with the combination.
Vakarchuk attempts a counter takedown but Crimson avoids it well and moves away.
Vakarchuk dives in and grabs Crimson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Crimson pushes down on Vakarchuk's head and hops out.
Culver Crimson seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crimson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Vakarchuk takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Crimson punishes Vakarchuk's body with a nice straight punch.
Crimson misses with a head kick.
Vakarchuk appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Crimson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A jab from Vakarchuk misses.
A punch lands to the side of Vakarchuk 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Crimson throws a combination that misses

and Vakarchuk decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Crimson's guard.
Vakarchuk has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Vakarchuk connects with a couple of short punches.
Vakarchuk looking to pass the guard.
Vakarchuk throws a big elbow that misses.
Vakarchuk cracks Crimson with a solid left hand.
Our spies down at at Lovelair Muay Thai/MMA inform us that Crimson has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vakarchuk chips away with some ground and pound.
Crimson wants to stand and escape but Vakarchuk is having none of it.
Vakarchuk throwing strikes from guard but Crimson blocks nicely.
Crimson keeping moving, preventing Vakarchuk from controlling successfully.
Vakarchuk won't allow Crimson to get back to his feet.
Vakarchuk wants to control from the top but Crimson keeps moving.
Vakarchuk is really struggling to control Crimson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Culver Crimson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Svyatoslav Vakarchuk's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Crimson misses with a double jab

and Vakarchuk counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Vakarchuk.
Vakarchuk prevents Crimson from getting back to his feet.
Vakarchuk postures up in Crimson's guard and throws a big left but Crimson blocks it.
Vakarchuk slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Vakarchuk looking to sit in guard and control but Crimson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vakarchuk is trying to keep Crimson in close.

Crimson stands up and waves to Vakarchuk to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crimson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Crimson tries to bum rush Vakarchuk with a series of wild strikes but Vakarchuk uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vakarchuk is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Crimson looks to land a right hand but Vakarchuk moved out of range.
Crimson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Crimson throws the left hand but Vakarchuk avoids the punch easily.
Vakarchuk throwing a counter right hand but Crimson manages to avoid it.
Crimson throws a leg kick that is checked

and Vakarchuk counters with a nice double leg into side control. Crimson won't be happy with that.
We've been hearing that Vakarchuk has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Vakarchuk lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Crimson down.
Vakarchuk tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Vakarchuk is trying to get an arm triangle but Crimson is defending well.
Crimson regains half guard, as Vakarchuk was trying to land strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vakarchuk scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Vakarchuk trying to control from half guard but Crimson is working away.
Crimson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Vakarchuk scores with a couple of nice shots.
Vakarchuk thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Crimson's head.
Crimson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vakarchuk.
Vakarchuk missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Svyatoslav Vakarchuk overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Crimson is refusing to be controlled, as Vakarchuk sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vakarchuk is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Crimson defends it well.

Vakarchuk is looking for a kimura here.
Vakarchuk working the head and body with strikes.
Vakarchuk throwing shots but Crimson is blocking nicely.
Vakarchuk throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Crimson to regain full guard.
Vakarchuk trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Crimson manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vakarchuk is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Crimson is aware though and is defending well.

Vakarchuk looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Vakarchuk is working an open guard so Crimson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Crimson throws a head kick but Vakarchuk moves out of range.
Crimson lands a head kick. Vakarchuk smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Crimson throws a head kick that misses.
Vakarchuk half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Svyatoslav Vakarchuk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Culver Crimson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Crimson lands with a kick to the temple. Vakarchuk shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Crimson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Crimson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vakarchuk shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Crimson eats them both and turns towards Vakarchuk to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vakarchuk closes this distance looking for a takedown but Crimson circles away.
Crimson throws a fast counter high kick but Vakarchuk manages to duck under it in time.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Culver Crimson.
I've got Crimson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30

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

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
53%

Main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Third Round Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mica Makaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makaaja has chosen Conquest of Paradise as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Round Romero
vs
Makaaja

190 cm
30
214 lbs
19 - 5 - 1

180 cm
47
215 lbs
30 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Voodoo Nutrition

Pit Bull Development
MayheM sportswear

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 19 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Third Round Romero!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mica Makaaja!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, David Schapiro and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makaaja looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Romero stuffs the takedown.
Romero seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Romero throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Makaaja fails with a takedown attempt.
Third Round Romero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mica Makaaja.
Romero stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Romero wants it to stay on the feet.
Romero throwing a counter right hand but Makaaja manages to avoid it.
Makaaja shoots in and drives through. Romero sprawls well.
Makaaja shoots in but no luck this time.
Mica Makaaja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Romero throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Makaaja shoots in looking for a takedown. Romero tries to sprawl out of it but Makaaja keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Romero manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makaaja uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Romero.
Romero lands with an overhand left.

It looks like Mica Makaaja has been cut.
Makaaja tries to score a power double leg takedown but Romero sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Makaaja somewhat.
Makaaja fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makaaja uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Romero.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Makaaja.
Romero knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Makaaja on the ground.

Makaaja thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Makaaja is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Romero has escaped the position, nice work there.
Romero tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Makaaja easily slips into full mount!

Makaaja is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Romero can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Makaaja is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Romero has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Romero trying to get back to his feet but Makaaja is in full control for now.

Makaaja working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Makaaja is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makaaja controls the position.
Romero trying to control the hands but Makaaja breaks the grip.
Romero breaks Makaaja's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Makaaja pulls Romero in close to prevent any damage.
Romero controls from within his opponent's guard.
Makaaja is trying to keep Romero in close.

Makaaja working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Romero doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Romero manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makaaja keeping full guard, as Romero tries to pass.
Makaaja looking for a sweep. Not yet Makaaja, not yet.

Makaaja throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Romero tries to free his leg and advance position but Makaaja is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Makaaja throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Makaaja working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Third Round Romero will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mica Makaaja's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Romero loads up on a big right hand but Makaaja slips the punch.
No luck for Makaaja with that takedown attempt.
Makaaja darts in looking for a takedown but Romero gets double underhooks and turns Makaaja into the cage.

Makaaja gets a takedown into half guard.
Makaaja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Romero does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Makaaja is working for a kimura but Romero is defending it quite comfortably.
Romero has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Makaaja is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makaaja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Romero keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makaaja passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Romero!
Romero is squirming around, avoiding Makaaja's attempts to control the action.

Makaaja is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Romero has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Romero!
Romero controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Makaaja is trying to control the position but Romero postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero trying to control but Makaaja is working from the bottom.

Makaaja throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Romero is posturing up here but Makaaja has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Romero tries to roll out but it's too tight and Romero has to tap! Slick submission there by Makaaja!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mica Makaaja!
Mica Makaaja is the new light heavyweight champion!
Mica Makaaja bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.
In defeat, Third Round Romero stepped up to the mic, saying 'Aaron ThaiGuy nerfed Larry "The Butcher" Shreve!'.