PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Julien Abessera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bastian Rolfes (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.

Abessera
vs
Rolfes

187 cm
20
217 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
217 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Evil Spirit Clothing Co. (KOF partner)
ENDLESS 152

Valhalla War Gear
Fight Club Clothing Helsinki™

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 New York, Julien Abessera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bastian Rolfes!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Alyssa Summers and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rolfes takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Bastian Rolfes has been cut.

Rolfes scores with a takedown into Abessera's guard.
Abessera seems keen to control Rolfes's posture.
Rolfes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rolfes trying to control the position from guard on top but Abessera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Abessera is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Abessera working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rolfes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rolfes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Abessera looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abessera keeping moving, preventing Rolfes from controlling successfully.
Abessera is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abessera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rolfes.
Rolfes looking to pass the guard.
Rolfes seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Abessera misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Abessera.

Abessera forces Rolfes back against the cage and clinches.
Rolfes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Abessera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rolfes wants a takedown but no success here.
Abessera landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rolfes looks gassed!
Abessera prevents the takedown attempt.
Abessera is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Abessera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Abessera breaks the clinch.
Abessera lands a nice looking body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Abessera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rolfes's face.

Abessera manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abessera misses with a two punch combination.

Abessera fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rolfes, pushing him back against the cage.
Rolfes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Julien Abessera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bastian Rolfes.
Abessera scores with a knee to the head.

Abessera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Abessera throws a sloppy head kick and Rolfes moves out of range easily.
Abessera lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Rolfes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Abessera throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Abessera darts in and clinches Rolfes up against the cage.
Abessera lands a knee to the head.
Abessera landing knees to the head.
Abessera landing knees to the head.
Rolfes can't get the takedown.
Abessera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rolfes's face.
Rolfes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Abessera fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Abessera lands with a slapping head kick.

Rolfes shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rolfes was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Abessera sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rolfes not doing much here.
Abessera tries to roll over but Rolfes keeps him under control.

Rolfes wants to work for an arm triangle but Abessera is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rolfes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Abessera does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Abessera is looking for a sweep. Rolfes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Abessera trying to hold on to Rolfes's head to control him but Rolfes postures up.
Rolfes takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rolfes blocks a head kick by Abessera.
Rolfes shoots in but no luck this time.

Abessera darts in and clinches Rolfes up against the cage.
Rolfes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Abessera is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rolfes wants a takedown but no success here.
Abessera utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Abessera lands an elbow inside that Rolfes shrugs off.

Abessera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Abessera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Abessera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rolfes's face.
Abessera with a knee to the head.
Abessera lands a body punch in the clinch.
Abessera lands an elbow just above Rolfes 's eye.

Abessera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Abessera fails in his attempt to clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Abessera darts in and clinches Rolfes up against the cage.
Abessera gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rolfes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abessera scores with a knee to the head.
Abessera with a knee to the head.
Rolfes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Abessera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Abessera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rolfes fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julien Abessera dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bastian Rolfes's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Abessera moves into the clinch.
Rolfes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Abessera gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Abessera with a knee to the head.
Rolfes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Abessera pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Abessera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rolfes's face.
Abessera scores a nice knee to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rolfes as Abessera tries to tie him up.
Abessera's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rolfes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Abessera pulls his leg out and moves away.
Julien Abessera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bastian Rolfes.
Abessera plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Horrible takedown by Rolfes or perhaps it was just good defense by Abessera which made him look bad.
Abessera plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rolfes avoids the head kick by Abessera.
Abessera moves in looking to clinch but Rolfes pushes him off.
Rolfes takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rolfes closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rolfes trying to control the position but Abessera is working away.
Abessera gets back to half guard.
Abessera tries to roll over but Rolfes keeps him under control.
Abessera trying to hold on to Rolfes's head to control him but Rolfes postures up.
Abessera tries to roll over but Rolfes keeps him under control.
Abessera trying to control but Rolfes postures up.
Rolfes trying to control the action but Abessera is working from the bottom.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Abessera slaps away a takedown attempt from Rolfes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Abessera lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rolfes circles away quickly and effectively.
Abessera defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rolfes.
Rolfes drops his hands momentarily and Abessera takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Abessera lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Abessera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Abessera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Abessera has closed the distance and engaged Rolfes in a clinch.
Abessera landing knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Abessera with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Abessera.

Abessera breaks the clinch.

Abessera has Rolfes up against the cage in a clinch.
Rolfes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Abessera fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Abessera gets a clinch.
Abessera connects with a knee to the head.
Abessera is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rolfes can do to turn this around?

Abessera breaks from the clinch.
Rolfes blocks a leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rolfes.
Abessera lands a nice shot to the body.
Abessera misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rolfes shoots in and drives through. Abessera sprawls well.
Julien Abessera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A solid leg kick lands there for Abessera.

Abessera clinches up with Rolfes and pushes him back against the cage.
Abessera with a knee to the head.
Abessera looking to throw knees to the head but Rolfes is blocking nicely.

Rolfes gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Rolfes trying to advance position but Abessera counters by regaining guard.
Rolfes scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rolfes content to stall in guard here.
Rolfes wants to control from the top but Abessera keeps moving.
Abessera looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rolfes is one step ahead there.
Abessera keeping moving, preventing Rolfes from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Abessera working for a triangle but Rolfes defends it easily.
Abessera is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julien Abessera dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Bastian Rolfes's cut.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rolfes throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Abessera was covering up waiting for the punch and Rolfes finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rolfes trying to control but Abessera is working from the bottom.
Abessera wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rolfes looking to sit in guard and control but Abessera gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rolfes wants to sweep but no luck.
Rolfes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Abessera drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Abessera jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Rolfes isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Abessera stacks Rolfes 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 Abessera!
Abessera throws an elbow but Rolfes slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abessera looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Abessera tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rolfes can't do much from the bottom here.
Rolfes is looking for a sweep.

Abessera thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Julien Abessera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

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.
Rolfes tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Abessera wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rolfes can't do much from the bottom here.
Rolfes is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Abessera off and has taken his back!
Rolfes wants to control the position but Abessera frees himself and scrambles - Rolfes manages to regain control in side control.
Rolfes is looking to take a break and control but Abessera is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Abessera tries to improve position but can't.

Rolfes tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rolfes has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Abessera scores with the left hand. Rolfes knows he should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rolfes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Abessera as he avoids it easily.
Julien Abessera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Abessera clinches with his opponent.

Abessera breaks from the clinch.
Julien Abessera is winning the standup battle so far.
Rolfes shoots in and drives through. Abessera sprawls well.
Rolfes takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Abessera closes the distance and clinches.
Rolfes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Abessera scores a nice knee to the body.
Abessera with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Abessera.
Abessera is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Abessera scores with a knee to the head.
Abessera lands a knee to the head.
Abessera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Rolfes is rocked!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Abessera obliges.
Abessera is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Abessera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abessera scores with a leg kick.

Abessera moves into the clinch.
Abessera is pressed up against the cage. Rolfes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Abessera down to the mat. Abessera avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Julien Abessera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bastian Rolfes.

Abessera rushes Rolfes and presses him up against the cage.

Abessera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Abessera stalks Rolfes and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rolfes's face. Rolfes staggers backwards, shaken.
Abessera scores with a hook to the body. Rolfes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rolfes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Abessera drives through and clinches with Rolfes against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Abessera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A nice combination there by Abessera.
Rolfes takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Abessera buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Abessera clinches.
Rolfes looking for a takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Abessera lands a nice uppercut.
Abessera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bastian Rolfes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abessera lands a knee to the head.
Rolfes is still on wobbly legs! Can Abessera finish him?
Abessera lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julien Abessera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Abessera, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julien Abessera!