PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Ellagrande (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bernie Roxas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ellagrande
vs
Roxas

175 cm
24
175 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

168 cm
18
182 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Brandon Ellagrande!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Bernie Roxas!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, William Gold and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roxas lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Roxas tries to bum rush Ellagrande with a series of wild strikes but Ellagrande uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A big right from Roxas misses.
Ellagrande drops his hands momentarily and Roxas takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ellagrande shoots for a takedown but Roxas saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bernie Roxas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ellagrande moves into the clinch.
Ellagrande taking a breather.

Ellagrande breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Roxas tries to bum rush Ellagrande with a series of wild strikes but Ellagrande uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ellagrande showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Roxas.
Roxas misses with the combination.
Roxas misses with a two punch combination.

Ellagrande moves into range and clinches up with Roxas.
Ellagrande landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ellagrande looking to throw knees to the head but Roxas is blocking nicely.
Ellagrande is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Roxas pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ellagrande goes for a takedown attempt but Roxas pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Ellagrande. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ellagrande takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roxas scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Ellagrande has Roxas up against the cage in a clinch.

Ellagrande pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Roxas should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Ellagrande gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ellagrande misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Roxas.
Ellagrande unloads a knee to the mid-section. Roxas lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Roxas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Roxas can't break the clinch.
Ellagrande utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Ellagrande goes for a takedown attempt but Roxas pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ellagrande fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ellagrande displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Roxas throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roxas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Ellagrande changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Roxas looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Ellagrande looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ellagrande is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ellagrande misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Ellagrande thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Roxas tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Roxas is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Ellagrande looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellagrande wants to lay and pray for a moment but Roxas keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Roxas is trying to control Ellagrande's posture but Ellagrande avoids it.

Ellagrande working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Roxas can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Roxas is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Ellagrande trying to control the position but Roxas is working away.
Ellagrande misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Roxas tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ellagrande is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Roxas knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Roxas is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Ellagrande dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ellagrande closes this distance looking for a takedown but Roxas circles away.
Roxas jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Roxas throws a nice looking combination but Ellagrande bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Ellagrande moves into the clinch.
Ellagrande working Roxas over with knees to the body.

Ellagrande manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Roxas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ellagrande pulls Roxas in close to his closed guard and prevents Roxas from doing any damage or advancing position.

Ellagrande kicks Roxas off and gets to his feet.
Roxas misses with a series of wild punches.
Roxas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roxas misses with a few strikes there.
Brandon Ellagrande is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ellagrande keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Roxas.
Ellagrande shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Roxas sprawls well. Roxas wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ellagrande gets slowly back to his feet.
Ellagrande takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Ellagrande shoots in looking for a takedown. Roxas tries to sprawl out of it but Ellagrande keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Roxas manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Ellagrande. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ellagrande moves into the clinch successfully.
Roxas is pressed up against the cage. Ellagrande has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Roxas down to the mat. Roxas avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ellagrande showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Roxas.
Roxas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ellagrande avoids a punch combination nicely.
Roxas misses with a two punch combination.
Ellagrande misses with a takedown attempt - Roxas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ellagrande tries to score a power double leg takedown but Roxas sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ellagrande somewhat.
Ellagrande shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Roxas sprawls well. Roxas wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ellagrande gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ellagrande ducks under a wild hook from Roxas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellagrande has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Roxas misses with a double jab.
Roxas stuffs the takedown attempt from Ellagrande. Ellagrande gets slowly back to his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Roxas scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Brandon Ellagrande has been cut.
Ellagrande changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Roxas tries to avoid it but Ellagrande manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Roxas to the ground. Roxas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Roxas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ellagrande moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Roxas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ellagrande.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ellagrande is defended easily by Roxas.
Roxas throws a series of strikes that have Ellagrande backpedaling.
Roxas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ellagrande tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellagrande fails with a takedown attempt.
Roxas slips a jab and a cross from Ellagrande.
Ellagrande dodges the punch combination from Roxas.
Roxas bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Roxas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Roxas throws a right hand that Ellagrande ducks under and follows up with a left that Ellagrande also avoids with ease.
Ellagrande fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Roxas throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Ellagrande counters with a single leg into guard. Roxas didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ellagrande pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Roxas is keeping the position for now.
Ellagrande stopping the sweep attempt from Roxas.
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 Brandon Ellagrande will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Brandon Ellagrande's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Ellagrande is looking to clinch.
Ellagrande shoots for a double leg takedown but Roxas sprawls well. He's pushed Ellagrande's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A right-left combo lands from Roxas.
Roxas throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Ellagrande counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ellagrande.
Roxas is trying to break the clinch but Ellagrande has him pressed against the cage.
Ellagrande tries to land a knee to the head but Roxas blocks with his arms.
Roxas wants to break free but Ellagrande has control.
A knee to the head by Ellagrande.

It looks like Bernie Roxas has been cut.

Ellagrande escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Roxas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Roxas connects with a looping right hand.
Roxas misses with a combination

and Ellagrande holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roxas wants to get back to striking at distance but Ellagrande won't allow it.

Ellagrande pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Roxas takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ellagrande throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Roxas's waist but Roxas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ellagrande off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brandon Ellagrande. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roxas throws a left and a right that both miss

and Ellagrande holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ellagrande landing knees to the head.
Roxas stops a takedown attempt from Ellagrande.
Ellagrande putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Roxas in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Roxas tries to break free but Ellagrande pushes him back against the cage.
Ellagrande lands an elbow inside.
Roxas takes an elbow to the temple.
Ellagrande prevents Roxas from breaking the clinch.
Roxas wants to break free but Ellagrande has control.
Ellagrande is trying to drag Roxas to the mat but Roxas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Roxas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Roxas wants to break the clinch but can't.
Roxas is trying to break free.
Ellagrande tries to score a body lock takedown but Roxas shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Roxas wants to break the clinch but can't.
Roxas wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ellagrande tries to land a knee to the head but Roxas blocks with his arms.
Roxas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ellagrande wants a takedown but no success here.
Roxas is trying to break the clinch but Ellagrande has him pressed against the cage.
Roxas tries to break free but Ellagrande pushes him back against the cage.
Roxas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ellagrande misses with a knee to the head.
Roxas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ellagrande throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ellagrande keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Roxas's efforts to push away.
Roxas is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ellagrande keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Roxas's efforts to push away.
Roxas wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ellagrande stalling in the clinch.
Roxas tries to break free but Ellagrande pushes him back against the cage.
Roxas is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Roxas working hard to break the clinch.
Ellagrande gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Roxas is trying to break the clinch but Ellagrande is controlling him.
Roxas is looking to break free of the clinch but Ellagrande has double underhooks.
Ellagrande lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Knees to the body from Ellagrande.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellagrande stalls.
Brandon Ellagrande has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Roxas takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ellagrande has Roxas pressed against the cage.
Ellagrande fails to pull guard.
Roxas looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ellagrande using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Roxas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ellagrande keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Roxas's efforts to push away.

Ellagrande breaks from the clinch.
Bernie Roxas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roxas lands with an overhand left.
Roxas throws a combination that misses

and Ellagrande counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Ellagrande escapes and gets back to his feet.
Jab by Roxas.
Ellagrande shoots in for a double leg but Roxas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ellagrande has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roxas throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Ellagrande counters by clinching up.
Ellagrande fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ellagrande takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Roxas wants to get back to striking at distance but Ellagrande won't allow it.
Ellagrande is trying to maintain a safe position but Roxas gets an underhook and turns Ellagrande into the cage.
Ellagrande has Roxas pressed against the cage, preventing Roxas from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Roxas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ellagrande looking for a takedown.
Roxas wants to break free but Ellagrande has control.
Roxas wants to break free but Ellagrande has control.
Ellagrande trying to land knees to the body.
Roxas wants to break free but Ellagrande has control.
Roxas is trying to break free.
Ellagrande landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Roxas wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ellagrande unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Roxas wants to get back to striking at distance but Ellagrande won't allow it.
Roxas tries a body shot but Ellagrande blocks it.
Roxas wants to get back to striking at distance but Ellagrande won't allow it.
Roxas can't break the clinch.
Brandon Ellagrande is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Roxas misses with a punch on the inside.
Roxas tries to work over Ellagrande's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ellagrande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Roxas's defenses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Ellagrande showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ellagrande, 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Ellagrande!