PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vern Schullacks (ranked 4183 p4p, 2783 weight class) and Josh Roffen (ranked 578 p4p, 417 weight class). Josh Roffen has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Schullacks
vs
Roffen

180 cm
20
200
4 - 4 - 0

175 cm
34
185
14 - 17 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Vern Schullacks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Josh Roffen!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schullacks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Roffen is looking for the big counter here.
Roffen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Schullacks.
Good shot there by Roffen.
Schullacks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Roffen was well out of range. Poor timing from Schullacks.
Roffen let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Schullacks is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Roffen misses with a series of wild punches.
Roffen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Schullacks missing with a left hand there. Roffen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
That kick from Roffen tenderised Schullacks's leg. Schullacks is trying to keep his angry face on.
Schullacks misses with a hook.
Schullacks looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Roffen scores with a hook to the body. Schullacks takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Schullacks throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Roffen on the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Schullacks displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Roffen throws out the jab.
Schullacks takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Schullacks shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Roffen defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roffen stuns Schullacks with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Schullacks misses with a wild body shot.
Roffen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Schullacks swings for the body but Roffen moves out of range.
Roffen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Schullacks misses with a hook. Roffen ducked under it nicely.
Schullacks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Schullacks looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Schullacks content to stall in guard here.

Roffen pushes Schullacks off and scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Roffen avoids the body shot from Schullacks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schullacks throws a body punch but Roffen moves out of range.
Schullacks throws a shot to the body.
Roffen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Roffen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Josh Roffen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Schullacks throws a poor cross that misses
and Roffen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Schullacks moves out of range as Roffen strikes.
Roffen ducks under a wild hook from Schullacks.
Schullacks misses with a left hand
and Roffen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Schullacks misses with a jab to the body
and Roffen counters with a nice low kick that buckles Schullacks's knee momentarily.
Schullacks with a lazy takedown attempt
and Roffen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Roffen cracks Schullacks with a right hand to the side of the head.
Roffen slips a straight right by Schullacks.
Schullacks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Roffen manages to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Roffen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Vern Schullacks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schullacks misses with a left hand
enabling Roffen to counter with a crisp jab.
Schullacks showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Roffen.
Roffen defending well as Schullacks loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schullacks on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Schullacks misses the shot to the body.
Schullacks swings for the body but Roffen moves out of range.
Roffen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Schullacks closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Roffen to the mat! Roffen manages to get full guard.
Schullacks wants to pass the guard but Roffen is keeping the position.
Roffen is looking to stand up but Schullacks isn't so interested in that idea.
Schullacks advances to half guard.
Roffen won't allow Schullacks to pass to mount.
Roffen is trying to stand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Schullacks is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Roffen is just riding it out for now. Schullacks eventually gives up the hold.
Schullacks is trying to control. Roffen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schullacks perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Schullacks is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Roffen!
Roffen is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Schullacks moves to the back position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Roffen looking very determined here, making life difficult for Schullacks.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Roffen fending off the submission attempt from Schullacks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Roffen 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.

A jab from Schullacks misses.
Josh Roffen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Schullacks swings away with a body shot that misses
and Roffen counters with a left and a right that stings Schullacks.
Roffen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Schullacks takes one to the chin there.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Roffen!
Schullacks throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Roffen's waist but Roffen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Schullacks off to one side.
Roffen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Roffen lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Roffen throws a jab when Schullacks was well out of range.
Schullacks scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Schullacks displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Roffen throws out the jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Roffen!
Schullacks shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Roffen but Roffen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A slow jab from Schullacks misses its intended target.
Schullacks lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Roffen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A shot to the liver by Schullacks. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Schullacks shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Roffen's guard.
Schullacks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Roffen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Schullacks slips nicely into half guard.
Schullacks is pressing down on Roffen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Roffen is holding on for now.
Schullacks sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Schullacks wants to pass the guard but Roffen is defending well.
Schullacks controlling the action here.
Schullacks is trying to control the action in half guard but Roffen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schullacks works his way into side control.
Roffen is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Roffen's face as Schullacks controls the position.
Roffen pushes Schullacks away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Schullacks gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Schullacks is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Roffen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Schullacks trying to control the action but Roffen is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schullacks advances to full mount.
Schullacks content just to control the position here.
Schullacks takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Schullacks's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Roffen wants to get back to his feet.

Schullacks working for a choke but Roffen is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schullacks keeps control of the position easily here as Roffen tries to buck him off.

Schullacks has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Schullacks is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Roffen defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Schullacks is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Roffen is defending well though. Schullacks let's go of the attempt for now.
Roffen is trying to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vern Schullacks dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Roffen misses with a double jab.
Josh Roffen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Schullacks just misses with a punch to the body.
Schullacks throws out a loose jab but Roffen uses good head movement to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Schullacks misses the target.
Roffen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Schullacks moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Schullacks looks to score with a jab to the body but Roffen is just out of range.
Good exchange - Roffen coming out on top.
Schullacks takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Schullacks throws a lazy right hand but Roffen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Roffen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Schullacks changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Schullacks listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Roffen tries to clinch but Schullacks moves out of range.
Roffen lands with an uppercut that bounces Schullacks off the cage and back into range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice uppercut lands for Schullacks. That snapped Roffen's head back.

It looks like Josh Roffen has been cut.
Schullacks throws a hook but Roffen avoids it easily.
Roffen jabs at Schullacks's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schullacks will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Schullacks misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Roffen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Schullacks takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A big left from Schullacks misses.
Roffen lands a nice looking body shot.
Schullacks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Roffen moves away.
Schullacks throws a predictable looking body shot
and Schullacks takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Roffen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Schullacks.
Roffen throws a big shot that misses.
Roffen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Schullacks lunges at Roffen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Roffen's hand.
Roffen ducks under a wild hook from Schullacks.
A nice side step and Roffen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Roffen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Schullacks lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Schullacks scores with a hook.
Schullacks misses with a left hand
letting Roffen counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roffen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Schullacks.
Roffen lands a jab to Schullacks's midsection.
Schullacks scores with a jab to the jaw.
A nice inside leg kick there by Roffen. That's going to slow Schullacks down.
Roffen moves out of range as Schullacks strikes.
Roffen let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Schullacks looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Roffen tries to clinch there but Schullacks circles away.
Schullacks needs to keep his hands up - Roffen had a free shot at his head there.
Schullacks throws out a loose jab but Roffen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Schullacks rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Roffen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Schullacks misses with a straight left.
Roffen slips under a jab.
Roffen throws out a counter right but Schullacks avoids it with no problem.
Roffen swinging wildly here.
Schullacks half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Roffen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Schullacks.
Schullacks backing away here, and Roffen unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Schullacks shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Roffen pinned against the cage. Roffen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roffen delivers a nice body kick.
Roffen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Roffen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Roffen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Schullacks throws out the jab.
Roffen throws a counter combo.
Schullacks misses with a straight right.
Roffen misses with a double jab.
Roffen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Schullacks.
Schullacks looks for a takedown but Roffen sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vern Schullacks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schullacks swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Roffen counters with a left and a right that stings Schullacks.
Schullacks throws a looping overhand right but Roffen ducks down to avoid it.
Schullacks thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schullacks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A little jabbing left from Roffen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Schullacks tries for a takedown but Roffen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Roffen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Schullacks throws a hook but Roffen avoids it easily.
Schullacks fails to land the takedown.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Roffen drives through and clinches with Schullacks against the cage.
Schullacks has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Roffen after a bit of a struggle.
Schullacks struggles to land a body shot inside as Roffen controls his hands.

Roffen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Schullacks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Roffen moves away.
Roffen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Roffen!
Roffen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Roffen misses with a two punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Roffen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Roffen 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Roffen!