PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jim Rough (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Theo Boateng (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rough
vs
Boateng

180 cm
18
206 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jim Rough!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Theo Boateng!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Daniel Bishop and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Boateng closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rough managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Boateng.
Rough is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Boateng off and has taken his back!
Boateng manages to reverse the position and now he's in Rough's guard. Nice work there by Boateng.
Boateng controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Boateng won't allow Rough to sweep him here.
Rough could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Rough working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Boateng doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Boateng manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Rough had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Boateng defends it easily.

Rough has an active guard here but Boateng has managed to pass into half guard.
Boateng is trying to control the action in half guard but Rough is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boateng is pressing down on Rough's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rough is holding on for now.

Boateng seems to be looking for submissions.
Boateng is looking to take a break and control but Rough is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Rough looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Boateng tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Rough.

Rough looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rough is breathing heavily.

Boateng stands up and beckons Rough to join him on the feet.
Rough wants to clinch up but Boateng keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rough fails with an attempt to clinch.
Boateng tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rough sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Boateng somewhat.
Rough fails with the takedown

and Boateng counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Boateng is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Rough looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Boateng decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Boateng has managed to clinch.
Boateng taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Boateng looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Boateng is pressed up against the cage. Rough has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Boateng down to the mat. Boateng avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Boateng drives through and clinches with Rough against the cage.

Boateng has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rough uses from the top position.
Boateng keeping full guard, as Rough tries to pass.
Boateng seems keen to control Rough's posture.

Rough postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Boateng is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Rough, into his guard.
Boateng stays in close to Rough's body and controls the position.
Rough avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Boateng thows a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boateng works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Boateng trying to control from half guard but Rough is working away.
Boateng wants to stand up but Rough is controlling the position.

Rough has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Boateng. Oh but Rough has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Boateng goes limp - he's gone! Rough jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Jim Rough!