PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Rocha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Stanton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rocha
vs
Stanton

185 cm
25
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pedro Rocha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andre Stanton!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Daniel Cesar and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rocha tries for a takedown but Stanton sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stanton lands a slapping body shot.

Stanton darts in and clinches Rocha up against the cage.
Rocha has Stanton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stanton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Rocha has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Stanton regains guard immediately.
Stanton looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rocha is one step ahead there.
Rocha trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rocha is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rocha keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Stanton's head.
Rocha throwing strikes from guard but Stanton blocks nicely.
Rocha missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stanton works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rocha loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rocha advances to half guard.
Stanton is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rocha thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stanton's head.
Rocha is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rocha not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rocha throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stanton blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rocha.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocha lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Stanton taking some punishment here, with Rocha in his half guard.
Rocha is keen to just control but Stanton is a slippery customer.
Rocha not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Stanton keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rocha slips a nice elbow through Stanton's hands, connecting with Stanton's forehead.
Rocha thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rocha lands with a punch from half guard.
Rocha is trying to control the action in half guard but Stanton is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rocha thows a huge punch but Stanton dodges it nicely.
Rocha missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocha missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rocha missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rocha thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stanton's head.
Rocha throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rocha thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stanton's head.
Rocha seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stanton does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rocha throwing shots but Stanton is blocking nicely.
Rocha not doing much here.
Rocha 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.

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.
Rocha is trying to control the action in half guard but Stanton is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Stanton wants to get back to his feet.
Rocha throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rocha not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rocha takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stanton blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rocha.
Stanton has hold of Rocha's hands but Rocha slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rocha is nestled in close to Stanton, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Stanton is not content to let Rocha control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Rocha dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nice uppercut lands for Stanton. That snapped Rocha's head back.
Pedro Rocha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rocha shoots in for a takedown but Stanton shows good takedown defense.
Stanton defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rocha.
Rocha shoots in but Stanton avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pedro Rocha. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stanton keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rocha shoots in looking for a takedown but Stanton manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rocha's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rocha throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stanton's waist but Stanton gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rocha off to one side.
Rocha is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nice uppercut lands for Stanton. That snapped Rocha's head back.
Stanton bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nice sprawl there from Stanton as Rocha shoots in.
Stanton throws a shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice shot lands for Stanton.
Stanton with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Stanton.
Stanton lands a really nice looking cross but Rocha seems unphased.
Rocha walks into a left hand.
Rocha takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Jab by Stanton.
Stanton stalks Rocha and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rocha's face. Rocha staggers backwards, shaken.
Rocha closes the distance and clinches up with Stanton, looking for a takedown. Rocha pushes Stanton against the cage but Stanton circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stanton connects with a body shot.
Stanton bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Stanton with a nice cross.
The fighters circle momentarily. Stanton darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Stanton moves into the clinch successfully.
Stanton tries to throw a body punch but Rocha avoids it by throwing Stanton back against the cage.
Stanton misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rocha blocks a body shot from Stanton.
Rocha wants a takedown but no success here.
Stanton lands with a short shot to the head.
Stanton struggles to land a body shot inside as Rocha controls his hands.
Stanton gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rocha.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanton looking to slow down the pace here.
Rocha drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Stanton gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Stanton throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stanton lands a nice uppercut.
Stanton tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rocha's elbow.
Rocha tries to work over Stanton's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stanton pushes Rocha back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Stanton digs a right hand underneath Rocha's ribcage. Rocha let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rocha's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A shot in the inside from Stanton.
A short right from Stanton on the inside.
Stanton throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rochas head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Stanton.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Stanton is trying to stall.
Stanton lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanton struggles to land a body shot inside as Rocha controls his hands.
A right hand to the body from Stanton.
Stanton scores with a hook to the body.
Stanton fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stanton works on Rocha's body with a couple of short punches.
Rocha blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stanton tries a body shot but Rocha blocks it.
Rocha tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nice body punch from Stanton.
Stanton lands a shot to the body.
Stanton tries to throw a body punch but Rocha avoids it by throwing Stanton back against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Stanton.
Stanton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stanton is working Rocha over against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Stanton.
Stanton tries to work over Rocha's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stanton trying to stall but Rocha improves his position.
Stanton throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rochas head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stanton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rocha is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Stanton struggles to land a body shot inside as Rocha controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanton is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Rocha is trying to stall.
Stanton lands a nice shot to the body.
Stanton misses with a punch to the body.
Stanton tries to throw a body punch but Rocha avoids it by throwing Stanton back against the cage.
Stanton misses with a body punch.
Rocha wants to stall.
Stanton scores with an uppercut up the middle.

It looks like Pedro Rocha has been cut.
Stanton misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stanton lands with a short shot to the head.
Rocha goes for a takedown attempt but Stanton pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rocha blocks a body shot from Stanton.
Stanton gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rocha.
A right hand to the body from Stanton.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Stanton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pedro Rocha's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Stanton fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Rocha tries to clinch up.
Rocha drops his hands momentarily and Stanton takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Stanton lands a nice hook to Rocha's body. Rocha takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A jab from Stanton does it's job there.
Stanton lands with an overhand left.
Rocha doesn't manage to clinch there - Stanton circles away.
Stanton fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rocha on the side of the head.
Rocha tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stanton swivels and escapes.
Stanton lands a two punch combo.
A lazy left from Stanton finds it's target.
Rocha misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rocha on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Stanton clinches up with Rocha and pushes him back against the cage.
Rocha tries for a takedown but Stanton manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pedro Rocha. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stanton misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stanton throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Rocha wants a takedown.
Stanton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stanton works on Rocha's body with a couple of short punches.
Stanton tries to stall but Rocha uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A body shot lands from Stanton.
Stanton working aggressively here.
A right hook to the body lands for Stanton.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Stanton works on Rocha's body with a couple of short punches.
Stanton lands a body punch.
A short body shot lands from Stanton as the two fighters clinch.
Rocha's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stanton taking a breather.
Stanton fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short uppercut from Stanton.
Stanton lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rocha.
Stanton tries to throw a body punch but Rocha avoids it by throwing Stanton back against the cage.
Stanton tries a body shot but Rocha blocks it.
Andre Stanton seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A right hook to the body lands for Stanton.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stanton lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stanton lands a shot to the body.
Stanton tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rocha's elbow.
Stanton lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rocha or not.
Rocha prevents a body shot from Stanton.
Stanton lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Stanton tries to throw a body punch but Rocha avoids it by throwing Stanton back against the cage.
Stanton can't find room to land a body shot as Rocha controls the action.
Stanton misses with a body punch.
Stanton lands a body punch in the clinch.
Stanton presses Rocha against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rocha looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Stanton can't find room to land a body shot as Rocha controls the action.
Stanton throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rochas head.
A hook to the body from Stanton.
Stanton digs a right hand into Rocha's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rocha's gas tank.
Rocha blocks an uppercut.
Stanton gets through Rocha's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Stanton misses with a body punch.
Stanton lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rocha backwards.
Nice body punch from Stanton - that landed with a thud.
A body shot lands from Stanton.
Stanton tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Stanton tries a body shot but Rocha blocks it.
Stanton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanton tries a body shot but Rocha blocks it.
Stanton lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rocha or not.
Stanton is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Stanton tries to throw a body punch but Rocha avoids it by throwing Stanton back against the cage.
Stanton misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stanton lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rocha.
A left hand lands to the body for Stanton.
Rocha is trying to drag Stanton to the mat but Stanton just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Stanton is leaning against Rocha and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Stanton lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Stanton.
Stanton lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rocha changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stanton fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Stanton has Rocha up against the cage in a clinch.
Stanton tries to work over Rocha's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stanton is trying to maintain a safe position but Rocha gets an underhook and turns Stanton into the cage.
Stanton misses with some punches.
Stanton tries a body shot but Rocha blocks it.
A left hand lands to the body for Stanton.
A right handed body shot lands from Stanton.
A nice right hand lands inside from Stanton.
Stanton lands a shot to the body.
Stanton misses with some punches.
A left hand lands to the body for Stanton.
A short left from Stanton.
Stanton misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stanton working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Stanton.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stanton lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Stanton misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stanton stalling against the cage.
Rocha prevents a body shot from Stanton.
Stanton throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Stanton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andre Stanton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stanton has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 26:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 26:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 26:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andre Stanton!