PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Curtis Rome (ranked 2693 p4p, 3055 weight class) and Sparbot Three (ranked 332 p4p, 362 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rome
vs
Three

170 cm
26
155
9 - 12 - 3

183 cm
25
159
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 9 - 12 - 3, fighting out of Amsterdam, Curtis Rome!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sparbot Three!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rome feints and as Three raises his hands in defense, Rome changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rome trying to control but Three is working from the bottom.
Rome advances position into side control!

Rome is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Three has escaped the position, nice work there.
Three is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rome asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Rome looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Three stops Rome from passing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Three stands up from Rome's guard - Three perhaps looking for a knockout.
Three throws a body shot but no joy.

Rome shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rome showed some decent athleticism there.

Rome is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rome wants to free his trapped foot but Three is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rome uses his free foot to push down on Three's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Three.
Three is squirming around, avoiding Rome's attempts to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rome is working for a guillotine from mount but Three frees his head quite easily.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rome goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Three is on top in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rome isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Three stacks Rome on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Three!
Rome tries to bench press Three off him but Three keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rome sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rome tries to get to full guard but Three has control of the leg.
Rome moves into full guard.
Three postures up.
Rome manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Three manages to get himself to full guard.

Rome pushes down on Three's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rome prevents Three from standing back up.
Rome wants to advance to full mount but Three doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Rome passes Three's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Three is defending against the submission attempts here by Rome.

Rome is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Three doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rome.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rome is trying to work for a kimura but Three is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Rome dominated that round.
That's time! Rome's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rome looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Three is fending him off so far but Rome persists. Nope, Three circles away and we're back to standing.

Rome looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Three pushes Rome off and scrambles back to his feet.
Good standup being displayed there by Three as he connects with a hook.
Three cracks Rome with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Rome changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Three looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
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!
Rome is looking to take a break and control but Three is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Three prevents Rome from moving into mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rome is working hard here to advance position.

Rome swings around for an armbar but Three sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Rome's guard.
Rome wants to sweep but no luck.
Rome is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Rome looking for subs off his back but Three has passed one foot through into half guard.
Rome wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rome looking for submissions off his back.
Rome has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Three is working away from the top position though.
Rome is trying to get back to full guard.

Rome looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rome tries to get to full guard but Three has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rome makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rome.

Rome throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rome seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Rome throws his legs up looking for a submission but Three uses it to pass to side control.
Rome is looking for a sweep.

Three stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Rome shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Three's guard.
Rome might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Three wants to stand up but Rome is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rome looking to pass the guard.
Rome prevents Three from getting back to his feet.
Three is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rome slips nicely into half guard.

Rome seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Three has recovered full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sparbot Three showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rome avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rome tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Three manages to circle out of the way.
Rome dodges the punch combination from Three.
Three throws a head kick that misses.
Rome drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Rome shoots in and bounces Three off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rome passes Three's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rome is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Three doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rome.
Rome works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rome is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Three knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Rome goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Three rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rome's guard! Nice work there by Three!
Rome working a defensive guard here.

Rome looking for a guillotine here but Three defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rome looking for a sweep. Not yet Rome, not yet.
Rome is trying to control the position but Three postures up.

Three stands up and waves to Rome to follow him.
Three punishes Rome's body with a nice straight punch.
Rome takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sparbot Three seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Three throws a lazy right hand but Rome sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Three cracks Rome with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Three defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rome.
Rome doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Three counters with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Three scores with a jab to the body.
Rome gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Rome avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It looked like Rome wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rome takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Rome shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rome showed some decent athleticism there.

Three kicks off Rome and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sparbot Three is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Three smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rome shoots in for a takedown but Three shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curtis Rome. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rome ducks under a wild hook from Three.
Three misses with a low kick as Rome jumps back.
Three connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Three gets caught flat footed, as Rome shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Curtis Rome overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rome slips nicely into half guard.

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

Rome is looking for a kimura here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sparbot Three comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Three 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sparbot Three!
Sparbot Three tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.