PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roman Strupek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alessandro Moretti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Strupek comes into the arena with Click Clack blaring out of the sound system. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Strupek
vs
Moretti

183 cm
26
176 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

184 cm
22
183 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Roman Strupek!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alessandro Moretti!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strupek fails with the takedown
and Moretti connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Strupek darts in trying to clinch
and Moretti counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Moretti gets a takedown into half guard.

Moretti seems to be working for a kimura but Strupek defends the submission attempt.
Strupek wants to control but Moretti is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moretti missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Strupek is controlling Moretti's trapped leg to prevent Moretti from advancing to side control.
Strupek trying to control from the bottom.
Moretti missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Strupek makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Strupek.
Strupek is trying to control the position but Moretti postures up.
Moretti with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Strupek is pulling down on Moretti's head. It's preventing any offense from Moretti, at least for the moment.
Moretti has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Strupek utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Moretti in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Moretti accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Moretti tries to free his leg and advance position but Strupek is retaining full guard.
Strupek 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.

Strupek is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Moretti defends well.
Moretti is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strupek is trying to control the position from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Strupek is on top in guard.
Strupek preventing the sweep.
Moretti trying to keep a closed guard but Strupek is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strupek throws and elbow that misses. Moretti uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Strupek's guard. Nice move by Moretti!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strupek trying to control the position.
Strupek wants to sweep here but Moretti controlling him for the moment.
Strupek looking to control.
Moretti lands a couple of digs.
Moretti stopping the sweep attempt from Strupek.
Moretti is pushing down on Strupek's leg trying to pass to half guard. Strupek is fighting to maintain full guard but Moretti has managed to sneak the leg through.
Moretti is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Moretti missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Moretti is trying to control. Strupek wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Strupek looking for submissions off his back.
Moretti is trying to control. Strupek wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four 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.
Moretti thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Moretti prevents Strupek from improving his position.
Strupek is trying is best to control the position here.
Moretti winds up and cracks Strupek with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Moretti missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Moretti is nestled in close to Strupek, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Moretti trying to control from half guard but Strupek is working away.
Moretti prevents Strupek from improving his position.
Strupek is looking to control Moretti's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Strupek avoid being mounted?
Moretti trying to control the action but Strupek is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Strupek trying to control but Moretti postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alessandro Moretti dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Strupek shoots and misses

and Moretti counters with a single leg into guard. Strupek didn't expect that.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Moretti's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Moretti wants to pass the guard but Strupek is keeping the position.
Strupek is trying to control the position but Moretti postures up.
Strupek keeping moving, preventing Moretti from controlling successfully.
Strupek preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Strupek is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Moretti wants to control from the top but Strupek keeps moving.
Moretti engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alessandro Moretti wasn't active enough on the ground.
Strupek misses with a takedown attempt

and Moretti counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Strupek's guard now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strupek trying to keep a closed guard but Moretti is proving a slippery customer.
Strupek managing to control the position.
Strupek 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.
Moretti landing with the ground and pound.
Moretti in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Strupek is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Moretti lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Moretti in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Moretti wants to pass the guard but Strupek is keeping the position.
Strupek looking to control but Moretti passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
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. Moretti connects with a nice short shot to Strupek's temple.
Moretti is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Strupek!
Strupek wants to hold on but Moretti pushes him away.

Moretti is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Strupek is surviving well by controlling Moretti's body position as best he can.
Moretti prevents Strupek from getting the reversal.

Moretti working for a submission but Strupek is keeping him at bay.
Strupek tries to hold on but Moretti pushes him away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Moretti cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Strupek tries to lock up and control but Moretti gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Strupek tries to reverse the position but Moretti maintains control.
BOOM! Moretti connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Strupek in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moretti raining down shots from the mount!
Moretti with shots to the head and body - Strupek looks very uncomfortable down there.
Moretti landing shots from mount.
Strupek wants to control but Moretti is having none of it.
Strupek tries to buck Moretti off but he can't manage it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Strupek tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Alessandro Moretti has got the better of the ground game so far.
Strupek tries to hold on but Moretti pushes him away.
BOOM! Moretti connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Strupek keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Moretti working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Strupek keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Strupek is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Moretti.
A nice elbow there by Moretti.
Strupek wants to control but Moretti is having none of it.
Moretti lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Strupek hang on?

Strupek defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Moretti.
Moretti trying to control but Strupek is having none of it.

Moretti is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Strupek to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Strupek shrugs it off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moretti landing strikes from the mount and Strupek is in trouble!

Strupek defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Moretti.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Strupek tries to lock up and control but Moretti gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alessandro Moretti showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Strupek fails with the takedown

and Moretti decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Strupek's guard.
Moretti working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Strupek's head.
Strupek working a defensive guard here.
Moretti cracks Strupek with a solid left hand.
Moretti stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Strupek swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Strupek seems keen to control Moretti's posture.
Moretti is working Strupek over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Moretti working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Moretti working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Strupek pulls Moretti in close to his closed guard and prevents Moretti from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moretti sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Strupek pulls Moretti in close to prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Roman Strupek.
Moretti doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Strupek counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Moretti takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Moretti looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Moretti controls Strupek momentarily but Strupek frees himself.
Moretti can't keep his opponent in guard - Strupek advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Strupek is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Moretti defends it well.

Strupek is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Moretti sees it coming and defends easily.
Moretti is looking to improve his position.
Strupek missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Strupek maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Moretti could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Strupek has cracked it and Moretti is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Strupek!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Roman Strupek!
Roman Strupek is the new welterweight champion!