PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hale Tommasson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alvin Rocker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tommasson comes to the cage accompanied by Bitch Please 3. Rocker has chosen Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Tommasson
vs
Rocker

173 cm
21
169 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

175 cm
24
165 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hale Tommasson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alvin Rocker!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Lou da Vinci and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rocker tries to move into range but Tommasson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rocker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tommasson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Rocker misses.
Tommasson throws a hook to the side of Rocker's head but Rocker sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rocker circles away from the clinch attempt.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rocker.
Tommasson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tommasson slips a jab from Rocker.
Rocker misses with the combination.
Rocker missing with a left hand there. Tommasson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rocker tries to clinch there but Tommasson circles away.
Rocker lands a jab.
Tommasson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tommasson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rocker.
Rocker swings for the body but Tommasson moves out of range.
Tommasson connects with a right hand. Rocker shakes it off.
Rocker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tommasson.
Rocker blocks a head kick by Tommasson.
Rocker displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tommasson.
Rocker ducks under a wild hook from Tommasson.
Tommasson slips a jab and a cross from Rocker.
Rocker dives in and grabs Tommasson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tommasson pushes down on Rocker's head and hops out.

Tommasson gets a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocker is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tommasson works his way into full mount!
Tommasson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Tommasson connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Tommasson avoids the attempt from Rocker to control.
Tommasson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Rocker is working to get back to half guard.
Tommasson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocker is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rocker is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Tommasson looking to control but Rocker is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tommasson 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.
Rocker tries to hold on but Tommasson pushes him away.
Rocker is working to get back to half guard.
Tommasson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Tommasson unloading with bombs!
Tommasson wants to control the pace but Rocker is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocker is looking to improve his position but Tommasson isn't that keen on the idea.
Tommasson looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Rocker trying to punch from the bottom. They're landing but they're really not going to hurt Tommasson.
Tommasson prevents Rocker from getting the reversal.
Tommasson lands a big shot there that rocks Rocker but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rocker tries to reverse the position but Tommasson maintains control.
Tommasson scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Rocker tries to reverse the position but Tommasson maintains control.
Rocker looks gassed!

Tommasson is working for a guillotine from mount but Rocker frees his head quite easily.
Tommasson lands with some strikes.
Tommasson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Rocker is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocker is in a horrible position here. Tommasson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Rocker slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Tommasson tries to pass to full mount but Rocker defends it.
Tommasson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rocker keeps working.
Tommasson is taking a breather. Rocker says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Tommasson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rocker has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rocker is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tommasson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tommasson's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hale Tommasson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tommasson is looking to clinch but Rocker is avoiding it.
Tommasson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tommasson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rocker lands a lovely overhand right.
Tommasson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tommasson misses with a few strikes there.
Tommasson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rocker lands a jab to Tommasson's midsection.
A punch lands to the side of Tommasson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rocker looks to land a combination but Tommasson avoids it well.
Rocker throws out a loose jab but Tommasson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rocker paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rocker lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rocker stalks Tommasson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tommasson's face. Tommasson staggers backwards, shaken.
Tommasson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rocker.
Rocker misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rocker misses with a looping right.
A right-left combo lands from Tommasson.
Rocker slips a jab from Tommasson.
A jab from Tommasson misses.
Jab, jab by Rocker - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tommasson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rocker throws an overhand right that lands on Tommasson's shoulder, as Tommasson tries to avoid the shot.
Tommasson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A punch lands to the side of Tommasson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Tommasson misses with a jab to the body
and Rocker counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rocker throws out a loose jab but Tommasson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tommasson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rocker scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tommasson doesn't seem bothered though.
Tommasson dodges the punch combination from Rocker.
Rocker connects with a right hand. Tommasson shakes it off.
Rocker scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rocker might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Rocker misses with a takedown attempt - Tommasson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rocker swings away with a body shot that misses

and Tommasson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Tommasson wants to control from the top but Rocker keeps moving.
Rocker wants to sweep but no luck.
Rocker tries to strike from the bottom.
Rocker lands a decent shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocker trying to control the position here.
Tommasson trying to control but Rocker is working from the bottom.
Tommasson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rocker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rocker shoots and misses
and Tommasson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tommasson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rocker looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Alvin Rocker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rocker connects with a jab.
Rocker looks to land a left hand but Tommasson moved out of range nicely.
A punch combination from Tommasson misses.
Tommasson throws a head kick but Rocker moves out of range.
Rocker jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Tommasson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rocker.
Rocker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tommasson circles away.
Hale Tommasson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alvin Rocker.
Rocker tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tommasson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rocker somewhat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tommasson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tommasson connects with a high kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Tommasson rushes Rocker and presses him up against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Rocker.
Rocker working aggressively here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rocker has a couple of punches blocked by Tommasson.
Nice body punch from Rocker - that landed with a thud.
Good body shot from Tommasson.

Tommasson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tommasson throws a combination. Rocker tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rocker is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Tommasson.
Rocker misses with a body shot.

Tommasson gets caught flat footed, as Rocker shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rocker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rocker throws and elbow that misses. Tommasson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rocker's guard. Nice move by Tommasson!
Tommasson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tommasson lands an elbow.
Tommasson tries to move to mount but Rocker blocks the move with his legs.
Rocker is looking for a sweep.
Tommasson trying to control the position but Rocker is working away.
Tommasson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rocker is working to avoid the ground and pound but Tommasson connects with a decent elbow.
Tommasson wants to control but Rocker is keeping him busy.
Hale Tommasson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rocker throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Hale Tommasson will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tommasson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rocker has time to react.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rocker, as that shot connected.
Tommasson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A punch lands to the side of Tommasson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rocker thuds his right hand into Tommasson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tommasson staying out of range there.
Rocker scores with a punch to the head.
Rocker with a jab.
Rocker looks to land a combination. Tommasson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rocker blocks a leg kick.
Rocker cracks Tommasson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Some wild striking there from Rocker.
Tommasson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tommasson looks to throw the jab but Rocker is out of range.
Tommasson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rocker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tommasson moves out of range as Rocker strikes.
Tommasson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rocker misses with a straight left.
A jab from Rocker finds it's way through Tommasson's defenses.
Tommasson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tommasson connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocker fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rocker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tommasson misses with a body kick.
Tommasson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rocker at a distance.
Rocker lands a right hook to the body.
Rocker tries to clinch up but Tommasson circles away and keeps his distance.
Tommasson wants to clinch.
Tommasson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tommasson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rocker.
Tommasson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tommasson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tommasson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tommasson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rocker's sensitive parts.
Tommasson lands a head kick!
Tommasson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Rocker slaps away a takedown attempt from Tommasson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rocker lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tommasson.
A punch combination from Rocker misses.
Nice straight punches there by Rocker. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rocker.
Rocker throws a nice looking combination but Tommasson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rocker wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rocker lands with a straight right. Tommasson didn't see that one coming.
Rocker avoids the head kick by Tommasson.
Tommasson misses with a body kick.
Rocker lands with an overhand left.
Rocker dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rocker tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tommasson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rocker somewhat.
Tommasson stuffs the takedown attempt from Rocker. Rocker gets slowly back to his feet.
Hale Tommasson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alvin Rocker.
Tommasson throws a leg kick but Rocker sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rocker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tommasson tries to avoid it but Rocker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tommasson to the ground. Tommasson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocker scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The fighters circling - Rocker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tommasson punishes Rocker's body with a nice straight punch.
Rocker with a poor takedown
and Tommasson counters with a right hand to the body.
Tommasson slips under a jab.
Tommasson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rocker on the side of the head.
Alvin Rocker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tommasson misses with a two punch combination.
Tommasson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Some wild striking there from Tommasson.
Tommasson throws a head kick but Rocker moves out of range.
Tommasson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rocker stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rocker closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rocker scores with a three punch combo!
Alvin Rocker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rocker throws a hook but Tommasson blocks it.
Tommasson throws a sloppy head kick and Rocker moves out of range easily.
Rocker moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Tommasson misses with a series of wild punches.
Rocker staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tommasson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rocker as he avoids it easily.
Rocker changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Rocker gets a takedown into half guard.
Rocker trying to control the action but Tommasson is working from the bottom.
Rocker looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Tommasson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rocker not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rocker thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Tommasson to regain full guard.
Hale Tommasson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rocker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alvin Rocker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tommasson 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hale Tommasson!