PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ace Man (ranked 24962 p4p, 5399 weight class) and Alexander Rockhold (ranked 699 p4p, 584 weight class). Alexander Rockhold told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Man
vs
Rockhold

186 cm
18
213
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
17
204
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

HELLBENT

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ace Man!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Rockhold!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Steven Brown and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rockhold is trying hard to land a takedown here. Man sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
It looked like Man was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Rockhold shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Man napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rockhold is trying to ground and pound but Man uses the momentary lack of control by Rockhold to regain half guard.

Rockhold seems to be working for a kimura but Man defends the submission attempt.
Rockhold is thwarting Man's attempts to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Man is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Rockhold jumps into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockhold is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Man will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Rockhold throws an elbow but Man slips to the side and avoids it well.
Man tries to improve position but can't.
Rockhold is looking to take a break and control but Man is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ground and pound from Rockhold seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Man stops Rockhold from standing up.
Man being controlled here momentarily.
Man prevents Rockhold from getting back to his feet.
Rockhold is looking to sweep but instead, Man has passed into half guard.
Rockhold is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Man's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Man's back!
Rockhold is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
You can see the frustration on Man's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockhold trying to control momentarily.

Man showing good submission defense here.

Rockhold seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Man's chin but Man turns very nicely into Rockhold's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Man.
Rockhold wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockhold trying to control the position.
Man tries to stand but Rockhold is controlling from the bottom.

Rockhold working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Man has passed into half guard!
We've been informed that Rockhold has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rockhold tries to roll over but Man keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Rockhold 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.

Rockhold lands a head kick. Man smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Rockhold closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Man to the mat! Man manages to get full guard.
Rockhold must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Man pulls Rockhold in close to prevent any damage.
Man keeping full guard, as Rockhold tries to pass.
Rockhold wants to control from the top but Man keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rockhold gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockhold misses with a body kick.
Man seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Rockhold moves into range and clinches up with Man.
Man is trying to break the clinch but Rockhold is controlling him.

Rockhold jumps guard and drags Man to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Rockhold working a defensive guard but Man passes into half guard.

Man stands up from half guard.
Man has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rockhold.
Rockhold has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rockhold tries to close the distance and clinch but Man swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
As Rockhold looks to move away, Man throws a big counter combo but Rockhold just gets out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockhold misses with a wild combination.
Rockhold misses with a combination
and Man counters with a one-two to the body.
Rockhold scores with a head kick. Man tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Rockhold lands a nice shot that snaps Man's head back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rockhold is defended easily by Man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockhold throws a head kick but Man moves out of range.
Rockhold shoots in but Man avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Man throws a big counter combination but Rockhold scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Rockhold closes the distance and clinches up with Man, looking for a takedown. Rockhold pushes Man against the cage but Man circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Man seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ace Man has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Rockhold.
Rockhold wants to clinch
and Man counters with a series of strikes. Rockhold will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rockhold tries to land a body kick
and Man counters with a two punch combo.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rockhold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rockhold is defended easily by Man.
Man went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Rockhold has Man up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Man wants to get back to striking at distance but Rockhold won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Rockhold will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rockhold shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Man counters with a left and a right that stings Rockhold.
Rockhold tries to clinch but Man is having none of it.
Man went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Rockhold scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Man is trying to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rockhold has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Rockhold punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockhold tries to control but Man wriggling away.
Rockhold content just to control the position here.
Rockhold throwing strikes here but Man is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Rockhold is looking to work his way around to Man's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Rockhold tries to control but Man wriggling away.

Rockhold goes for an armbar but Man turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Man.
Rockhold tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Rockhold is looking for a triangle here but Man uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Man stands up and beckons Rockhold to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockhold throws a lazy head kick
and Man counters with a three punch combo that has Rockhold backing up. Rockhold nods at Man to acknowledge the strikes.

Rockhold bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Rockhold controlling from side mount.

Rockhold decides to stand up, so the ref orders Man to his feet.
Man leaves Rockhold with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Rockhold misses.
Man appears to be looking for a big counter.
Rockhold misses with a takedown
and Man counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Ace Man has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Rockhold.
Rockhold rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Man moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rockhold tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Man throws a big counter combination but Rockhold scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rockhold doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Man counters with a left and a right that stings Rockhold.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ace Man.
I think Rockhold has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight for Alexander Rockhold!
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight for Alexander Rockhold!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Alexander Rockhold!

Alexander Rockhold wins by unanimous decision!