PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Adam Rowlinski (ranked 4334 p4p, 4005 weight class) and Uncle Ben (ranked 0 p4p, 437 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Uncle Ben enters the cage!

Rowlinski
vs
Ben

180 cm
25
185
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
190
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Adam Rowlinski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Uncle Ben!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Ackerman and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ben throws a sloppy head kick and Rowlinski moves out of range easily.
It looked like Rowlinski was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ben.
Ben throws a lazy head kick
and Rowlinski counters with a three punch combo that has Ben backing up. Ben nods at Rowlinski to acknowledge the strikes.
Ben throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rowlinski.
Ben throws the kick towards the body but Rowlinski avoids it.
Ben tries a head kick but it misses.
Rowlinski half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Rowlinski shoots in but no luck this time.

Ben gets the takedown into side control.
Rowlinski sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ben looks winded!
Rowlinski keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Rowlinski keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rowlinski gets back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rowlinski wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rowlinski lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Rowlinski is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Rowlinski drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ben dives on top into guard.

Rowlinski has control of Ben's left arm, preventing Ben from doing any damage.
Ben missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rowlinski is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ben trying to control but Rowlinski is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ben missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ben being controlled here momentarily.
Ben throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rowlinski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rowlinski lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ben is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Rowlinski works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Rowlinski is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ben has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rowlinski throwing shots but Ben is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ben regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rowlinski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rowlinski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rowlinski postures up in Ben's guard and throws a big left but Ben blocks it.
Ben preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Rowlinski postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ben is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Rowlinski, into his guard.

Rowlinski has a closed guard, preventing Ben from standing up.
Rowlinski is adopting a defensive guard.
Ben stopping the sweep attempt from Rowlinski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rowlinski has his hands on Ben's head, controlling the position.
Ben must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rowlinski is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ben trying to control here.

Rowlinski is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rowlinski throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rowlinski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rowlinski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ben keeps working.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Adam Rowlinski will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ben throws a lazy uppercut
and Rowlinski counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Ben drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rowlinski is pulling down on Ben's head to control his posture.
Uncle Ben has got the better of the ground game so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ben accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rowlinski pulls Ben in close to prevent any damage.
Rowlinski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ben's guard.

Rowlinski postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rowlinski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ben wants to stand and escape but Rowlinski is having none of it.
Rowlinski throws a big elbow that misses.
Rowlinski throwing strikes from guard but Ben blocks nicely.
Rowlinski is looking to work some ground and pound but Ben has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rowlinski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ben looking for a sweep. Not yet Ben, not yet.
Ben keeping moving, preventing Rowlinski from controlling successfully.

Rowlinski is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rowlinski throws a big right hand that misses.
Ben looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rowlinski is one step ahead there.
Ben avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ben really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rowlinski. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ben trying to control the position.
Ben avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rowlinski trying to control the position from guard on top but Ben is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ben throws a lazy right hand but Rowlinski sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A big left from Ben misses.
It looked like Rowlinski was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ben.
Ben throws a head kick but Rowlinski moves out of range.
Ben is breathing heavily.
Rowlinski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ben avoids it really well and circles away.
Ben feints the counter takedown.
Rowlinski fails with a takedown attempt.

Ben closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ben lands in his opponent's guard.
Rowlinski has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ben working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ben throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rowlinski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rowlinski has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Rowlinski wants to sweep but no luck.
Rowlinski is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Rowlinski keeping moving, preventing Ben from controlling successfully.
Rowlinski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ben's guard.

Rowlinski has gone for a leg lock! Ben slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rowlinski's guard.

Rowlinski seems keen to control Ben's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ben in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rowlinski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rowlinski is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rowlinski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rowlinski is trying to control the action in half guard but Ben is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Rowlinski seems to be working for a kimura but Ben defends the submission attempt.
Ben wants to control but Rowlinski is keeping busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Uncle Ben will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ben takes a swing at Rowlinski's ribcage but misses.
Rowlinski fails with a takedown attempt.
Ben just misses with a punch to the body.

Ben drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Rowlinski regains half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rowlinski slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rowlinski manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ben manages to get himself to full guard.

Rowlinski throwing strikes but missing.
Ben takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rowlinski trying to control but Ben is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rowlinski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Rowlinski thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rowlinski wants to control from the top but Ben keeps moving.
Rowlinski passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Rowlinski swings around for an armbar but Ben sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Rowlinski's guard.
Rowlinski 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.
Rowlinski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ben's guard.

Ben preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ben can't keep his opponent in guard - Rowlinski advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ben is trying to stand back up but Rowlinski is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rowlinski looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Rowlinski wants to work for an arm triangle but Ben is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Rowlinski is looking for a kimura here.
Rowlinski seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ben does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rowlinski thows a huge punch but Ben dodges it nicely.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rowlinski is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ben has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rowlinski trying to control from half guard but Ben is working away.

Rowlinski is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ben sees it coming and defends easily.
Rowlinski not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Ben kicks off Rowlinski and gets to his feet.

Rowlinski gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ben to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rowlinski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ben's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ben is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rowlinski is looking to work some ground and pound but Ben has wrist control.

Rowlinski is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rowlinski trying to control but Ben is working from the bottom.
Ben looking to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rowlinski stops Ben from standing up.

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

Ben throwing strikes but Rowlinski manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Uncle Ben.
I think Ben 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Adam Rowlinski!
The defeated Uncle Ben had this to say: 'He has to ride with me'.