PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Slusken Musk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simon Rockwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rockwell is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Voices. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Musk
vs
Rockwell

190 cm
25
220 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

188 cm
26
205 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Slusken Musk!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Simon Rockwell!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Musk throws a right hand that misses
and Rockwell counters with a two punch combo.
Musk moves out of range of the body kick from Rockwell.
Rockwell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Musk moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Musk shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rockwell is trying to defend but Musk finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Musk is taking a breather. Rockwell 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.
Rockwell wants to get back to his feet.
Rockwell manages to get to full guard.

Rockwell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musk loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Musk wants to control from the top but Rockwell keeps moving.
Musk throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Musk lands a couple of digs.
Musk is looking to work some ground and pound but Rockwell has wrist control.
Musk has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Rockwell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Musk can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Rockwell is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Musk defends well.
Musk thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Musk trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Musk trying to control but Rockwell is working from the bottom.
Rockwell looking to hit a scissor sweep but Musk is one step ahead there.
Musk thows a big elbow that misses.
Rockwell is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Musk throws and elbow that misses. Rockwell uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Musk's guard. Nice move by Rockwell!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell won't allow Musk to sweep him here.

Rockwell drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Musk dives on top into guard.
Musk lands a couple of digs.

Rockwell is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Musk is aware though and is defending well.
Musk trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rockwell tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Musk engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Musk postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Musk landing with the ground and pound.

Rockwell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Musk can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Musk cracks Rockwell with a solid left hand.
Rockwell wants to stand but Musk is controlling the position.
Musk works over Rockwell with some ground and pound from guard.
Musk lands a couple of elbows.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell looking for a sweep. Not yet Rockwell, not yet.
Rockwell has momentary wrist control but Musk slips an elbow through the middle.

Rockwell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rockwell looks gassed!
Musk postures up and lands a big shot to Rockwell's brow.
Musk connects with a couple of short punches.
Rockwell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Musk.

Rockwell is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Musk defends well.

Musk avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Musk.
Musk postures up in Rockwell's guard and throws a big left but Rockwell blocks it.
Musk scoring with some ground and pound.
Musk thows a big elbow that misses.
Musk throwing strikes but missing.
Musk throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Musk with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rockwell keeping moving, preventing Musk from controlling successfully.
Musk postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Musk keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rockwell's head.
Musk throwing strikes from guard but Rockwell blocks nicely.

Rockwell working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Musk doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Musk manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Musk scoring with some ground and pound.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Musk is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Musk is in close to Rockwell's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Musk drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rockwell dives on top into guard.
Rockwell wants to get up but he can't break Musk's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Musk looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Musk is working hard here to advance position.
Musk looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Musk is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rockwell defends well.
Rockwell looking to pass the guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell wants to control from the top but Musk keeps moving.
Musk is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Musk trying to control from half guard but Rockwell is working away.

Rockwell looking for submissions off his back.
Musk landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Musk shoots in and gets a takedown into Rockwell's guard.

Rockwell is looking for a triangle but Musk pushes his legs off easily.
Musk looking to sit in guard and control but Rockwell gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Musk is trying to control the position but Rockwell postures up.
Musk tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rockwell looking to sit in guard and control but Musk gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Musk scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rockwell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rockwell is breathing heavily.

Musk postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rockwell is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Musk, into his guard.

Rockwell decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell is looking to land body kicks.

Musk throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rockwell tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Musk is in Rockwell's guard.

Rockwell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Musk postures up in Rockwell's guard and throws a big left but Rockwell blocks it.
Musk looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Musk throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Musk stays in close to Rockwell's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musk distracts Rockwell with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rockwell is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Musk trying to control the position from guard on top but Rockwell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rockwell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Musk trying to control but Rockwell is working from the bottom.

Rockwell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Musk wants to control from the top but Rockwell keeps moving.
Rockwell wants to stand but Musk is controlling the position.
Musk stays in close to Rockwell's body and controls the position.

Rockwell is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Musk defends well.
Musk is working Rockwell over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Musk scoring with punches to the head and body.
Musk throwing strikes but missing.
Rockwell wants to stand but Musk is controlling the position.
Musk postures up in Rockwell's guard and throws a big left but Rockwell blocks it.
Musk connects with a couple of short punches.
Musk trying to control the position from guard on top but Rockwell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rockwell trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Rockwell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Musk.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rockwell striking from the bottom here.
Musk scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Musk works over Rockwell with some ground and pound from guard.
Musk landing some decent shots from guard.
Musk with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Musk trying to control but Rockwell is working from the bottom.
Musk lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Musk cracks Rockwell with a solid left hand.
Musk trying to control but Rockwell is working from the bottom.
Musk is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Musk makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Musk trying to control but Rockwell is working from the bottom.

Rockwell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Musk cracks Rockwell with a solid left hand.

Rockwell is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Musk defends well.

Rockwell looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Musk lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rockwell keeping moving, preventing Musk from controlling successfully.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Musk accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Rockwell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Musk working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rockwell's head.
Musk missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Musk thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Rockwell looking for a guillotine here but Musk defends easily.
Musk postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Slusken Musk dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Musk closes the distance and clinches up with Rockwell, looking for a takedown. Musk pushes Rockwell against the cage but Rockwell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A combination from Rockwell does no damage.
Musk swings widly with a right hand
and Rockwell makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Musk really felt that one!
Musk throws a poor cross that misses
and Rockwell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rockwell throws a front kick that sends Musk stumbling back into the cage.
Rockwell lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Good shot there by Rockwell.
Rockwell throws a right and a left that Musk avoids nicely.
Rockwell falls off balance throwing a combination

and Musk counters with a shoot takedown. Rockwell fights it but they end up in guard.
Musk is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Musk throws a strike but Rockwell rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Musk is on top in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musk postures up.

Rockwell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Musk postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Musk trying to control the position from guard on top but Rockwell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rockwell wants to stand but Musk is controlling the position.
Musk sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Musk avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Rockwell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Slusken Musk overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Musk working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rockwell's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musk scoring with punches to the head and body.
Musk scoring with some ground and pound.
Musk postures up in Rockwell's guard and throws a big left but Rockwell blocks it.
Rockwell preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Musk content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Musk is working Rockwell over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Musk is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Musk connects with a couple of short punches.
Musk lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Musk lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Musk won't allow Rockwell to get back to his feet.
Musk lands a couple of digs.

Musk avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Musk working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Musk scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Musk wants to control from the top but Rockwell keeps moving.
Musk is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rockwell is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Musk landing some decent shots from guard.
Musk controls from within his opponent's guard.
Musk is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Musk trying to control but Rockwell is working from the bottom.
Musk makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Musk content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Musk postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Musk lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Musk missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rockwell wants to sweep here but Musk controlling him for the moment.

Rockwell escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Musk gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Musk landing some decent shots from guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Musk scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Musk cracks Rockwell with a solid left hand.
Musk keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rockwell's head.
Musk makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rockwell keeping moving, preventing Musk from controlling successfully.
Musk is working Rockwell over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rockwell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Musk stands up over Rockwell, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Musk looking to sit in guard and control but Rockwell gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rockwell wants to stand but Musk is controlling his posture from full guard.
Musk is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Musk trying to keep a closed guard but Rockwell is proving a slippery customer.
Musk is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rockwell can do to turn this around?

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Rockwell is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Musk is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Musk has escaped and now he's on top!

Musk avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Rockwell looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

And that's the end of the fight!
Slusken Musk showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Musk, 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Slusken Musk!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Slusken Musk!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Slusken Musk!

Slusken Musk wins by unanimous decision!
Slusken Musk retains his light heavyweight title!