PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Stefan Della Rovere (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jally Joseph (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jally Joseph is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Della Rovere
vs
Joseph

156 cm
22
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

159 cm
19
141 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION
THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Stefan Della Rovere!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Jally Joseph!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Colin Fotheringham and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Joseph clinches with his opponent.
A frustrated look appears on Della Rovere's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A body shot lands from Joseph.
Joseph has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Della Rovere is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Della Rovere is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Della Rovere is trying to break the clinch but Joseph has him pressed against the cage.
Joseph prevents Della Rovere from breaking the clinch.
Joseph has Della Rovere pushed against the cage.
Della Rovere wants to get back to striking at distance but Joseph won't allow it.
Della Rovere is trying to force a seperation but Joseph has the dominant position.
Della Rovere is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Della Rovere is trying to break free.

Joseph gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Della Rovere taking some punishment here, with Joseph in his half guard.
Della Rovere tries to roll over but Joseph keeps him under control.
Della Rovere throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Della Rovere on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Della Rovere knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Joseph on the ground.
Della Rovere misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Della Rovere flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Joseph working over Della Rovere with some ground and pound. Della Rovere looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Joseph lands strikes from half guard.
Della Rovere tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Joseph connects with a nice short shot to Della Rovere's temple.
Joseph has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Della Rovere misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Joseph is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Joseph takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Della Rovere missing with punches from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Joseph connects with a nice short shot to Della Rovere's temple.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Joseph is nestled in close to Della Rovere, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Joseph is nestled in close to Della Rovere, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Della Rovere punching from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Joseph winds up and cracks Della Rovere with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Joseph lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Joseph looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Della Rovere is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Joseph scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Joseph lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Della Rovere misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Della Rovere flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Joseph working over Della Rovere with some ground and pound. Della Rovere looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Joseph controlling the action here.
Joseph scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Della Rovere on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Della Rovere punching from the bottom.
Della Rovere tries to get to full guard but Joseph has control of the leg.
Della Rovere missing with punches from the bottom.
Joseph lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Joseph slips a nice elbow through Della Rovere's hands, connecting with Della Rovere's forehead.
Joseph lands strikes from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Joseph.
Joseph looks gassed!
Nice strikes from Joseph there.
Joseph landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Della Rovere tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Joseph is nestled in close to Della Rovere, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Joseph working Della Rovere over with strikes.
Joseph not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Della Rovere taking some punishment here, with Joseph in his half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Della Rovere tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Joseph counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Joseph prevents Della Rovere from improving his position.
Joseph takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Della Rovere punching from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Della Rovere punching from the bottom.
Joseph is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Della Rovere lands with a few short shots to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Della Rovere is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Joseph is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A decent looking cross lands there for Joseph.
Della Rovere tries to clinch up

and Joseph counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Della Rovere punching from the bottom.
Della Rovere strikes from the bottom but Joseph uses the opportunity to move to side control.
Della Rovere tries to bench press Joseph off him but Joseph keeps the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Joseph is working Della Rovere over with some ground and pound from side control.
Della Rovere tries to buck Joseph off but Joseph is having none of it.
Joseph landing a few strikes.
Della Rovere tries to bench press Joseph off him but Joseph keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jally Joseph dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Joseph gets a clinch.
Della Rovere looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Joseph prevents Della Rovere from breaking the clinch.
Della Rovere on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Della Rovere is looking to break free of the clinch but Joseph has double underhooks.
Della Rovere is trying to break free.
Della Rovere wants to break free but Joseph has control.
Della Rovere is trying to break free.
Della Rovere tries to circle away but Joseph has him pinned against the cage.
Joseph is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Della Rovere is trying to break the clinch but Joseph is controlling him.
Della Rovere is trying to break the clinch but Joseph has him pressed against the cage.
Della Rovere is trying to break free.
Joseph pressing his opponent against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joseph throws a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Joseph breaks the clinch.
Joseph wants to clinch.
Della Rovere misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Della Rovere wants to clinch but Joseph slips to the side

and Joseph counters by clinching up.
Della Rovere working hard to break the clinch.
Della Rovere is trying to break the clinch but Joseph is controlling him.
Come on Joseph - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Della Rovere wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Della Rovere wants to get back to striking at distance but Joseph won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Della Rovere's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Joseph gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Joseph landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Joseph slips a nice elbow through Della Rovere's hands, connecting with Della Rovere's forehead.
Joseph slips a nice elbow through Della Rovere's hands, connecting with Della Rovere's forehead.
Della Rovere punching from the bottom.
Joseph working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Della Rovere taking some punishment here, with Joseph in his half guard.
Joseph is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Joseph winds up and cracks Della Rovere with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Jally Joseph has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Della Rovere scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Della Rovere gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Joseph counters by clinching up.
Della Rovere working hard to break the clinch.

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

Joseph rushes Della Rovere and presses him up against the cage.
Della Rovere wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Joseph has him pressed against the cage.
Della Rovere is trying to break the clinch but Joseph has him pressed against the cage.
Della Rovere wants to get back to striking at distance but Joseph won't allow it.
Della Rovere has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Della Rovere prevents a takedown attempt there.
Della Rovere can't break the clinch.
Joseph has Della Rovere pressed against the cage, preventing Della Rovere from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Della Rovere wants to break free but Joseph has control.
Della Rovere has had enough of the clinch but Joseph keeps him there for the moment.
Della Rovere wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joseph looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Della Rovere wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Joseph has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Della Rovere's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Della Rovere is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Della Rovere on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Joseph pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Joseph uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Della Rovere.

Joseph drives through and clinches with Della Rovere against the cage.
Della Rovere working hard to break the clinch.
Joseph missing with knees to the body.
Joseph with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Della Rovere is trying to break free.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Joseph just misses with a elbow thrown towards Della Rovere's brow.
Della Rovere wants to get back to striking at distance but Joseph won't allow it.
Come on Joseph - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Joseph lands a takedown into guard.
Joseph working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Della Rovere's head.
Della Rovere looking to hit a scissor sweep but Joseph is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joseph connects with a couple of short punches.
Joseph working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Della Rovere's head.
Della Rovere throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Joseph is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Joseph landing with the ground and pound.
Joseph preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Della Rovere darts in trying to clinch

and Joseph counters with a single leg into guard. Della Rovere didn't expect that.
Joseph lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Joseph scoring with punches to the head and body.
Joseph throwing strikes but missing.
Della Rovere will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jally Joseph showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Della Rovere looks to clinch

and Joseph counters with a nice double leg into side control. Della Rovere won't be happy with that.
Joseph scoring with punches from side control.
Check out the look on Joseph's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Della Rovere is trying to get back to half guard.
Joseph cracks Della Rovere with a big elbow.
Joseph scoring with punches and elbows.
Della Rovere is working to avoid the ground and pound but Joseph connects with a decent elbow.
Della Rovere lands a little strike from the bottom.
Joseph lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Della Rovere down.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Della Rovere tries to clinch up

and Joseph counters by clinching up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Joseph tries to land a knee to the head but Della Rovere blocks with his arms.
A frustrated look appears on Joseph's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Della Rovere tries to circle away but Joseph has him pinned against the cage.
Della Rovere is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Della Rovere's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Della Rovere has had enough of the clinch but Joseph keeps him there for the moment.
Della Rovere wants to break the clinch but can't.
Joseph prevents Della Rovere from breaking the clinch.
Della Rovere wants to break the clinch but can't.
Della Rovere blocks an elbow strike from Joseph.
Della Rovere can't break the clinch.
Joseph will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Della Rovere up against the cage.
Della Rovere looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Joseph keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Della Rovere's efforts to push away.
Della Rovere wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Joseph prevents Della Rovere from breaking the clinch.
Della Rovere is trying to break free.
Della Rovere blocks the elbow strike.
Della Rovere stops a takedown attempt from Joseph.
Della Rovere is trying to break free.
Della Rovere is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
A frustrated look appears on Della Rovere's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Della Rovere is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Della Rovere wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Joseph has him pressed against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Joseph - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Joseph misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Della Rovere.
Della Rovere can't break the clinch.
Joseph has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Della Rovere wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Joseph throws a knee to the head but misses.
Joseph trying to land knees to the body.
Della Rovere is trying to break the clinch but Joseph has him pressed against the cage.
Della Rovere is trying to force a seperation but Joseph has the dominant position.
Della Rovere can't break the clinch.
Joseph has Della Rovere pressed against the cage, preventing Della Rovere from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Joseph has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Della Rovere clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Joseph punishes Della Rovere with strikes from the back mount.
Joseph is punishing Della Rovere with strikes - can he finish him?!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joseph lands punches and elbows.
Joseph is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Joseph has Della Rovere flattened out and is raining down punches.
Joseph throwing sloppy strikes.
Joseph throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Joseph misses with punches from the back.
I really don't envy Della Rovere right now.
Joseph is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Della Rovere tries to roll but Joseph sticks to his back.
Della Rovere grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Joseph scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Della Rovere is looking for a way out.
Joseph lands a shot to the body.
Joseph throwing damaging strikes from the back! Della Rovere could be in trouble here!
Della Rovere covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Della Rovere manages to reverse the position and now he's in Joseph's guard. Nice work there by Della Rovere.

Joseph pushes Della Rovere off and scrambles back to his feet.
Della Rovere misses with a wild body shot.

Joseph closes the distance and pushes Della Rovere back into the cage.
Della Rovere looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Joseph utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Joseph escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Della Rovere wants to clinch but Joseph slips to the side

and Joseph moves into the clinch.
Della Rovere is trying to break the clinch but Joseph is controlling him.
Della Rovere is trying to break free.
Joseph has Della Rovere pressed against the cage.
Jally Joseph is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Joseph works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Stefan Della Rovere has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Della Rovere wants to sweep but no luck.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jally Joseph comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Joseph winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 26:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 26:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jally Joseph!