PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Edmonds (ranked 1395 p4p, 775 weight class) and Roy Roach (ranked 180 p4p, 104 weight class). Edmonds comes to the cage accompanied by Frankie Smith - Double Dutch Bus. Roach has chosen Jump Around, House of Pain as his entrance music. Roy Roach acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Edmonds
vs
Roach

185 cm
27
190
20 - 12 - 1

183 cm
29
193
14 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent 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 20 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Edmonds!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Roy Roach!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Anthony Taglia and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Edmonds misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Roach.
Roach throws out a counter right but Edmonds avoids it with no problem.
Roach swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Edmonds scores with a crisp jab that stopped Roach in his tracks.
Edmonds connects with the punch.
Edmonds throws a hook but Roach avoids it easily.
Edmonds throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've been hearing reports that Edmonds has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Edmonds pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Roach walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Edmonds misses with a series of wild punches.
Roach misses with a hook. Edmonds ducked under it nicely.
Edmonds swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roach takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Roach throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Roach throws a jab but it's blocked by Edmonds.
Edmonds connects with a right hand. Roach shakes it off.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Edmonds uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Roach.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roach tries to close the distance and clinch up but Edmonds swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Roach uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Edmonds.
Roach misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Edmonds is looking for a counter combo.
Roach ducks under a wild hook from Edmonds.
Roach lands with an uppercut that bounces Edmonds off the cage and back into range.
A right-left combo lands from Edmonds.
Edmonds throws an overhand right that lands on Roach's shoulder, as Roach tries to avoid the shot.
Roach raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Roach keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Roach closes the distance and pushes Edmonds back into the cage.
Roach tries to throw a body punch but Edmonds avoids it by throwing Roach back against the cage.
Edmonds pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Edmonds breaks from the clinch.
Roach throws a jab but it's blocked by Edmonds.

Edmonds darts in and lands a nice 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Roach regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edmonds sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Edmonds avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Edmonds drops back looking for a leg! Roach is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Roach manages to kick Edmonds off! Edmonds jumps back into Roach's guard.
Roach keeping moving, preventing Edmonds from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roach can't keep his opponent in guard - Edmonds advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Edmonds is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Roach sees it coming and defends easily.
Edmonds seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Edmonds wants to free his trapped foot but Roach is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four 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.

Edmonds is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Roach sees it coming and defends easily.
Edmonds wants to pass to mount but Roach is defending the position.
Edmonds is trying to control. Roach wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Edmonds not doing much here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Edmonds dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Edmonds waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Roach.
A little jabbing left from Roach on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Roach staying out of range there.
Roach scores with a hook to the body. Edmonds takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
John Edmonds seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Roach is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Edmonds cracks a nice hook into Roach's ribs.
Edmonds throws a left and a right that both miss
and Roach counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Edmonds slips a jab and a cross from Roach.
Edmonds throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Edmonds throws a series of punches but Roach moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donk. Roach catches Edmonds right on the button with a cross.
Roach uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Edmonds.
Edmonds keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Roach is looking to clinch but Edmonds is avoiding it.
Roy Roach is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edmonds misses with a lunging right hand
and Roach counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Edmonds connects with a looping right hand.
Edmonds rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Roach moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Edmonds lands with a good body shot.
Roach misses with a lunging right hand
and Edmonds counters with a nice uppercut.
Roach lands a nice shot to the body.
Roach fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A left lands for Edmonds.

Roach moves into range and clinches up with Edmonds.
Roach scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Roach is pressed up against the cage. Edmonds has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Roach down to the mat. Roach avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Roach throws a hook but Edmonds avoids it easily.
Roach looks to score with a jab to the body but Edmonds is just out of range.
Roach moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Roach looks to land a combination but Edmonds avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edmonds lands with a shot to the body.
Roach leaves Edmonds with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Roach! But no joy.
Roach is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
John Edmonds is winning the standup battle so far.
Roach misses with a body shot
letting Edmonds counter with a right hand.
Nice defenses there by Edmonds.
A jab from Edmonds misses.
Roach is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Edmonds with a body shot.
Edmonds throws the left hand but Roach avoids the punch easily.
Roach fails to land with a series of punches.
Edmonds feinted with a counter takedown.
Roach moves away from the strike by Edmonds.
Roach is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Edmonds with a body shot.
Roach throws a body punch but Edmonds moves out of range.
Edmonds scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Edmonds swats away the attempt to clinch by Roach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roach tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Edmonds paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Edmonds lands a jab to Roach's midsection.
Edmonds is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Roach.
Edmonds throws an off balance right hand
and Roach counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Roach throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Edmonds to counter with a crisp jab.
A slow jab from Edmonds misses its intended target.
Edmonds tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Roach was well out of range. Poor timing from Edmonds.
Roach is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Edmonds.
Roach takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Roach throws a solid leg kick but Edmonds takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Roach.
Roach ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Edmonds swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Roach walks into a stiff left hand from Edmonds.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Roach looks to throw a body kick
and Roach takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Edmonds.
Roach misses the jab.
Edmonds throws a hook but Roach blocks it.
Roach moves forwards but Edmonds connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Edmonds lands a lovely overhand right.
Roach is looking to clinch.
Roach moves away from the strike by Edmonds.
Edmonds misses with a hook
and Roach counters with a left to the body.
Roach slips under a jab from Edmonds.
Edmonds swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Edmonds throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A nice side step and Roach releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Roach attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Edmonds showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Roach.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Edmonds dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Edmonds throws a right and a left that both miss.
Edmonds shoots in for a takedown but Roach shows good takedown defense.
No joy there for Roach, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Edmonds moves out of range of the body kick from Roach.
Edmonds tries for a takedown but Roach sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Roach looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A swing and a miss from Roach.
Roach misses with a wild body shot.
Roach on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Edmonds. Edmonds obviously looking to wear him down.
Roach throws an off balance right hand
and Edmonds counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roach swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Edmonds wants to slow Roach down by chopping away at his legs.
Roach bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Roach throws a lazy uppercut
and Edmonds counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roach changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Edmonds misses with a body shot.
Roach defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Edmonds.
Roach throws out a counter right but Edmonds avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Edmonds. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edmonds lands a two punch combo.
Edmonds shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Roach pinned against the cage. Roach gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Roach unleashes a big counter combination but Edmonds bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A shot to the liver by Roach. Beautiful body shot.

Roach drives through and clinches with Edmonds against the cage.
Edmonds tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A shot in the inside from Roach.
Roach misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A shot in the inside from Edmonds.
Roy Roach has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Edmonds.
Roach lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Roach can't find room to land a body shot as Edmonds controls the action.

Edmonds pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Roach tries a head kick but it misses.
Roach tries to clinch up but Edmonds circles away and keeps his distance.
Roach has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Roach fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Edmonds, pushing him back against the cage.

Edmonds's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A swing and a miss from Roach.
Roach takes a swing at Edmonds's ribcage but misses.
Roach takes a swing at Edmonds's ribcage but misses.
Edmonds lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Edmonds throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Edmonds clobbers Roach with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Edmonds connects with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edmonds throws a combination that misses
and Roach counters with a nice uppercut.
Roach is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Edmonds.
Edmonds throwing a counter right hand but Roach manages to avoid it.
Roach throws a right hand that Edmonds ducks under and follows up with a left that Edmonds also avoids with ease.
Roach takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Roach swings away with a body shot that misses
and Edmonds counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Roach takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Edmonds swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Roach.
Roach connects with a body shot that sends Edmonds's belly button to the back.
Edmonds lands with a nice body punch.
Edmonds throws a series of punches but Roach avoids them all with ease.
Roach throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Roach slips a jab from Edmonds.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Roach throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Edmonds.
Edmonds drops down looking for a counter takedown but Roach sprawls and moves away.
Edmonds doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
John Edmonds is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roach lands with a shot to the body.
Edmonds looks to throw the jab but Roach is out of range.
Edmonds moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Roach swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Edmonds fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Roach checks it well.
Roach looks to throw the jab but Edmonds is out of range.
Roach throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Roach takes a swing at Edmonds's ribcage but misses.
Edmonds looks to score with a jab to the body but Roach is just out of range.
Roach gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Roach moves out of range as Edmonds strikes.
Roach takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Edmonds lands a jab.

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 John Edmonds.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Edmonds, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Edmonds!
During a confident post fight interview, John Edmonds thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.