PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jakob Rolf (ranked 611 p4p, 380 weight class) and Matteo Bottura (ranked 82 p4p, 49 weight class). Rolf comes to the cage accompanied by AVGN Theme Song. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rolf
vs
Bottura

180 cm
29
169
15 - 9 - 0

183 cm
29
170
16 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jakob Rolf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Matteo Bottura!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bottura wants to land a leg kick but Rolf is out of range.
It looked like Rolf was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Bottura.
Bottura looks to land a right hand but Rolf moved out of range.
Nice jab there from Bottura.
Rolf blocks a jab.
Bottura displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rolf.
Rolf misses the jab.

Rolf has taken the fight to the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Rolf fails to land.
Rolf misses with a punch on the inside.
Bottura lands an uppercut.
Rolf lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bottura lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bottura creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rolf tries to throw a body punch but Bottura avoids it by throwing Rolf back against the cage.
Rolf tries to throw a body punch but Bottura avoids it by throwing Rolf back against the cage.
We've been hearing reports that Rolf has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Bottura lands with a short shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rolf has a couple of punches blocked by Bottura.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bottura.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bottura.
Bottura blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rolf misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bottura lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bottura tries a body shot but Rolf blocks it.
Rolf misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rolf tries a body shot but Bottura blocks it.
Rolf's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

It looks like Jakob Rolf has been cut.
Bottura swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bottura blocks a body shot from Rolf.
Bottura lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Bottura.
Rolf misses with a punch on the inside.
Bottura takes a shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Rolf fails to land.
A nice left hand lands by Bottura.
Rolf can't find room to land a body shot as Bottura controls the action.

Bottura escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bottura throws a jab when Rolf was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rolf misses with a hook.
Bottura lands a jab to the nose.
Bottura slips under a jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bottura! But no joy.

Rolf shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rolf is just content to waste time from the top position. Bottura takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Bottura pulls Rolf in to control the position.
Rolf controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rolf won't allow Bottura to sweep him here.
Rolf is fighting to break Bottura's control of his arms but Bottura is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Bottura keeping full guard, as Rolf tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rolf drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rolf jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rolf wants to pass the guard but Bottura is keeping the position.
Rolf trying to control the position from guard on top but Bottura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bottura keeping full guard, as Rolf tries to pass.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rolf looking to sit in guard and control but Bottura gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Bottura must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Bottura avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bottura throwing strikes but missing.
Rolf trying to control the position.

Rolf is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bottura is aware though and is defending well.
Rolf wants to sweep but no luck.

Rolf working for a triangle but Bottura defends it easily.
Rolf bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bottura's guard.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matteo Bottura will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jakob Rolf's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rolf swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rolf fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bottura on the side of the head.
Rolf works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bottura.
Bottura lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rolf's sensitive parts.
Rolf avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rolf misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bottura.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bottura. Rolf does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rolf throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Bottura to counter with a crisp jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rolf. Bottura does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bottura looks to throw the jab but Rolf is out of range.
Rolf went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bottura keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rolf moves out of range of the strikes.

Bottura tries to sprawl but Rolf drives through with a takedown into half guard.
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!
Rolf moves nicely into side control.

Rolf is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bottura has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rolf moves into full mount!
Bottura prevents Rolf from taking his back.
Rolf moves to the back.
Bottura is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Rolf avoiding Bottura 's attempts to control his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rolf is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Bottura defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Bottura is in bad spot here.

Rolf looking to break Bottura's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Bottura remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Rolf will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Bottura prevents Rolf from getting a body triangle.
Bottura can't escape the position.
Rolf trying to control momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rolf is persistently looking for the submission but Bottura is defending it well.

Rolf has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Bottura has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Rolf working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Rolf working for a choke but Bottura is defending well.

Rolf looking for the choke from the back.
Bottura felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bottura can't escape the position.

Rolf is looking for the choke from the back position but Bottura is controlling his hands well.

Rolf looking for the RNC.
Rolf wants to control but Bottura is keeping busy.
Rolf is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bottura can do to turn this around?

Rolf is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Bottura breaks Rolf's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Bottura postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bottura throws a big elbow that misses.

Rolf looking for a guillotine here but Bottura defends easily.
Rolf avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jakob Rolf dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jakob Rolf's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rolf lands a slapping body shot.
Bottura fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rolf on the side of the head.
Bottura lands the left hand.
Bottura ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rolf.
A punch lands to the side of Bottura 's head but he takes it in his stride.

It looks like Matteo Bottura has been cut.
Bottura scores with a jab.
Bottura lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bottura digs a good body shot into Rolf's ribs.
Rolf throws a hook but Bottura avoids it easily.
Rolf walks into a straight right hand from Bottura.
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!
Rolf checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Rolf loads up on a big right hand but Bottura slips the punch.

Rolf manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Bottura on his heels. He'll look to pass Bottura's guard now, I'm sure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rolf trying to control the position from guard on top but Bottura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rolf trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bottura tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bottura keeping moving, preventing Rolf from controlling successfully.
Rolf is looking to advance position but Bottura has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Rolf sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rolf manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rolf bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bottura's guard.

Rolf trying to control but Bottura is working from the bottom.
Rolf pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bottura is keeping the position for now.
Rolf trying to control but Bottura is working from the bottom.
Rolf is pushing down on Bottura's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bottura is fighting to maintain full guard but Rolf has managed to sneak the leg through.

Rolf seems to be working for a kimura but Bottura defends the submission attempt.

Rolf is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bottura is just riding it out for now. Rolf eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rolf is working for a submission of some sort.
Rolf trying to pass the guard but Bottura defending well.
Rolf is trying to control. Bottura wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bottura is looking to control Rolf's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bottura avoid being mounted?
Jakob Rolf overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bottura holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Rolf looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Bottura is looking for a sweep. Rolf is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rolf is working for a submission of some sort.
Rolf has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jakob Rolf showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rolf has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jakob Rolf!
After winning the bout, Jakob Rolf thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.