PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cody Elkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcelo Rocha Jr (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.

Elkins
vs
Rocha Jr

170 cm
28
152 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

172 cm
21
153 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cody Elkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marcelo Rocha Jr!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Elkins is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rocha Jr.
Rocha Jr shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Elkins defends it nicely.
Rocha Jr shoots in for a takedown but Elkins shows good takedown defense.
Elkins looks to land a right hand but Rocha Jr moved out of range.
Rocha Jr shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Elkins as he jumps to the side.
Cody Elkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcelo Rocha Jr.
Elkins fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nice uppercut there from Elkins.
Nice sprawl there from Elkins as Rocha Jr shoots in.
Elkins connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rocha Jr tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Rocha Jr decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Elkins is trying to stand.

Rocha Jr seems to be looking for submissions.
Elkins is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha Jr wants to free his trapped foot but Elkins is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Elkins is defending against the submission attempts here by Rocha Jr.
Elkins is trying to stand.

Rocha Jr is looking for a kimura here.
Rocha Jr is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Elkins reverses the position - he's now on top in Rocha Jr's guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Elkins wants to control from the top but Rocha Jr keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Elkins controlling from the top position.
Elkins tries to free his leg and advance position but Rocha Jr is retaining full guard.

Cody Elkins has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Rocha Jr is looking to clinch but Elkins is avoiding it.
Rocha Jr on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Elkins throws the left hand but Rocha Jr avoids the punch easily.
Rocha Jr dives in and grabs Elkins's left leg, looking for a takedown. Elkins pushes down on Rocha Jr's head and hops out.
Cody Elkins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Rocha Jr or perhaps it was just good defense by Elkins which made him look bad.
Elkins lands a lovely overhand right.
Jab, jab by Elkins - just one landing.

Rocha Jr changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Elkins looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Elkins is trying to get back to his feet.

Rocha Jr tries for a kimura but Elkins is defending well.
Elkins wants to get back to his feet but Rocha Jr drags him back down.
Elkins trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Rocha Jr goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Elkins has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Rocha Jr but great work by Elkins.
Rocha Jr tries to buck Elkins off but Elkins is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elkins cracks Rocha Jr with a big right hand but Rocha Jr just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Elkins scoring with punches and elbows.
Rocha Jr is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rocha Jr is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Rocha Jr prevents Elkins from moving into mount.
Rocha Jr tries to improve position but can't.
Elkins lands a nice forearm strike.

Elkins stands up and beckons Rocha Jr to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rocha Jr.
Rocha Jr looks gassed!
Elkins slaps away a takedown attempt from Rocha Jr, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rocha Jr shoots for a double leg takedown but Elkins sprawls well. He's pushed Rocha Jr's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cody Elkins dominated that round.
That's time! Elkins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rocha Jr shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Elkins as he jumps to the side.
Elkins missing with a left hand there. Rocha Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rocha Jr gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A big right from Elkins misses.
Elkins swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rocha Jr.
Elkins throws an overhand right that lands on Rocha Jr's shoulder, as Rocha Jr tries to avoid the shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Elkins. That snapped Rocha Jr's head back.
Elkins missing with a left hand there. Rocha Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rocha Jr looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Elkins stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Elkins wants it to stay on the feet.
Cody Elkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcelo Rocha Jr.
Elkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Rocha Jr is just out of range.
Rocha Jr dives in and grabs Elkins's left leg, looking for a takedown. Elkins pushes down on Rocha Jr's head and hops out.
Elkins keeps the fight on the outside.
Elkins is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha Jr keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Elkins.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rocha Jr.
Rocha Jr is breathing heavily.
Rocha Jr tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Elkins manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rocha Jr fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rocha Jr tries to move into range but Elkins moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rocha Jr changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Elkins tries to avoid it but Rocha Jr manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Elkins to the ground. Elkins escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rocha Jr shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Elkins as he jumps to the side.
Elkins lands a nice hook to Rocha Jr's body. Rocha Jr takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Elkins lands an overhand right.
Rocha Jr gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Elkins.
Rocha Jr misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elkins keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rocha Jr fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Elkins throws out a powerful jab.
Elkins bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Elkins fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rocha Jr on the side of the head.
Elkins throws a jab but it's blocked by Rocha Jr.
Elkins scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rocha Jr tries to clinch there but Elkins circles away.
Rocha Jr tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Elkins swivels and escapes.
Elkins scores with a jab to the body.
Marcelo Rocha Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Elkins digs a good body shot into Rocha Jr's ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Elkins lands with a right hand.
Elkins loads up on a big right hand but Rocha Jr slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Elkins there.
Elkins throws a hook to the side of Rocha Jr's head but Rocha Jr sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Elkins fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A shot to the liver by Elkins. Beautiful body shot.
Nice jab there from Elkins.
Elkins digs a good body shot into Rocha Jr's ribs.
Elkins is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice sprawl there from Elkins as Rocha Jr shoots in.
Elkins moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Rocha Jr looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A swing and a miss from Elkins.
Elkins scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Jab, jab by Elkins - just one landing.
Rocha Jr on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocha Jr avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rocha Jr shoots in and drives through. Elkins sprawls well.
Rocha Jr uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Elkins.
Elkins throws a hook but Rocha Jr blocks it.
Rocha Jr is trying hard to land a takedown here. Elkins sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rocha Jr uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Elkins.
Elkins comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rocha Jr bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Elkins stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Elkins connects with a right hand. Rocha Jr shakes it off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rocha Jr fails with the takedown.
Good exchange - Elkins coming out on top.
Elkins swats away the attempt to clinch by Rocha Jr.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cody Elkins dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Rocha Jr.
Rocha Jr uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Elkins.
Rocha Jr doesn't manage to clinch there - Elkins circles away.
Rocha Jr wants to clinch.
The fighters circling - Elkins throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Elkins with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocha Jr ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rocha Jr.
Rocha Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rocha Jr shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Elkins squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rocha Jr goes for an armbar but Elkins turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Elkins.

Elkins stands and steps away. Rocha Jr gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Rocha Jr misses with a takedown attempt - Elkins sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cody Elkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcelo Rocha Jr.
Rocha Jr throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Elkins's waist but Elkins gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rocha Jr off to one side.
Rocha Jr fails with the takedown.
Nice body punch from Elkins.
Elkins fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rocha Jr looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rocha Jr fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Elkins does it's job there.
Rocha Jr on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Elkins connects with a jab.
Elkins jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A lazy left from Elkins finds it's target.
Elkins throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rocha Jr dives in and grabs Elkins's left leg, looking for a takedown. Elkins pushes down on Rocha Jr's head and hops out.
A big right from Elkins misses.
Rocha Jr will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Marcelo Rocha Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rocha Jr moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Cody Elkins is winning the standup battle so far.
Rocha Jr uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Elkins.
Elkins with a hook.
Elkins swats away the attempt to clinch by Rocha Jr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocha Jr fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A left lands for Elkins.
Elkins misses with a straight left.
Rocha Jr looks for a takedown but Elkins sprawls well.
Elkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Elkins pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Elkins throws an overhand right that lands on Rocha Jr's shoulder, as Rocha Jr tries to avoid the shot.
Elkins lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Elkins misses with a straight right.
Marcelo Rocha Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rocha Jr shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Elkins as he jumps to the side.
Rocha Jr takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocha Jr shoots in looking for a takedown but Elkins manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rocha Jr's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A slow jab from Elkins misses its intended target.
Rocha Jr has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Elkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Elkins connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rocha Jr fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Elkins lands a jab to Rocha Jr's midsection.
Rocha Jr takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Elkins lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Elkins walks into a left hand.
Rocha Jr shoots in looking for a takedown. Elkins tries to sprawl out of it but Rocha Jr keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Elkins manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Elkins scores with a nice head shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cody Elkins showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Elkins, 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:26
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cody Elkins!