PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marijo Palavra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Duke Roufus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Palavra
vs
Roufus

170 cm
19
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

172 cm
26
145 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Determined

Kobra Clothing Inc. *Half Price Sale*

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marijo Palavra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Duke Roufus!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Viktor Lagutenko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Palavra looking to score a takedown here. Roufus is defending well but Palavra drives through and ends up in Roufus's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Roufus controlling the position.
Palavra tries to free his leg and advance position but Roufus is retaining full guard.
Roufus keeping moving, preventing Palavra from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Duke Roufus.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Palavra.
Palavra tries to move into full mount but can't pass Roufus's legs.
Roufus can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Roufus is not content to let Palavra control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Roufus tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palavra working away.
Palavra misses with the ground and pound.
Roufus struggling a bit here.
Palavra is putting a hurting on Roufus here, landing some big shots from side control.
Roufus is not content to let Palavra control the position.
Palavra in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Palavra wants to control but Roufus is keeping him busy.
Roufus tries to bench press Palavra off him but Palavra keeps the position.
Palavra cracks Roufus with a big elbow.
Roufus is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Palavra off and has taken his back!
Roufus is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Palavra trying to control the hands but Roufus won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Roufus has his opponent's back but Palavra is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Roufus.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Roufus misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Palavra displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Roufus.

Palavra drives through with a takedown into guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Roufus can do anything to dispel that myth.
Palavra postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palavra being controlled here momentarily.
Roufus wants to sweep but no luck.
Palavra wants to pass the guard but Roufus is keeping the position.
Palavra chips away with some ground and pound.
Roufus keeping full guard, as Palavra tries to pass.
Roufus keeping moving, preventing Palavra from controlling successfully.
Palavra slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Palavra tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Palavra is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Roufus is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Roufus manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palavra is trying to control. Roufus wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Palavra thows a huge punch but Roufus dodges it nicely.
Roufus has hold of Palavra's hands but Palavra slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Palavra is pressing down on Roufus's thigh, looking to free his foot. Roufus is holding on for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Roufus pushes Palavra off looking to stand but Palavra dives back in and keeps control.
Roufus slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Palavra pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Roufus is keeping the position for now.

Palavra drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Roufus dives on top into guard.
Palavra has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Roufus pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Palavra is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Palavra wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marijo Palavra dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Palavra closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Roufus did well to prevent Palavra getting side control.
Roufus gets back to full guard.
Roufus bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Palavra's guard.
Palavra utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Palavra wants to sweep here but Roufus controlling him for the moment.
Roufus throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Roufus trying to control but Palavra is working from the bottom.
Palavra pulls Roufus in close to his closed guard and prevents Roufus from doing any damage or advancing position.
Roufus throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roufus tries to free his leg and advance position but Palavra is retaining full guard.
Palavra is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Roufus trying to move into half guard but instead Palavra has managed to sweep!
Roufus controls Palavra momentarily but Palavra frees himself.
Palavra trying to control but Roufus is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Palavra.
Roufus tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roufus sneaks back into half guard.
Palavra is trying to control. Roufus wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Palavra is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Roufus doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Palavra.
Roufus preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Palavra wants to work for an arm triangle but Roufus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Palavra passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Roufus!
Roufus is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Palavra cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palavra looking to control but Roufus is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Palavra lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Roufus hang on?
Palavra cracks Roufus with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Roufus is working to get back to half guard.
Palavra tries to control but Roufus wriggling away.
Roufus is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Palavra landing strikes from the mount.
Palavra looking to control but Roufus is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Palavra prevents Roufus from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palavra lands with some strikes.
Roufus is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Palavra is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Roufus has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Palavra avoids the attempt from Roufus to control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Palavra raining down hammerfists from mount.
Roufus tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Roufus in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Palavra is landing with some decent strikes but Roufus is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Palavra tries to control but Roufus wriggling away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Roufus avoids a series of strikes thrown by Palavra.
Palavra throws some wild stikes that Roufus manages to avoid easily.
Palavra putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marijo Palavra dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Palavra is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Roufus's half guard.
Roufus tries to roll over but Palavra keeps him under control.

Palavra is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Roufus is trying to control but can't.

Palavra wants to work for an arm triangle but Roufus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Palavra is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Roufus has managed to free his arm - good work.
Palavra throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Roufus is controlling Palavra's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Roufus moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palavra pushes down on Roufus's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Roufus trying to hold on to Palavra's head to control him but Palavra postures up.
Roufus wants to improve his position but Palavra is controlling well.
Roufus moves into full guard.

Roufus is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Palavra defends well.
Roufus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Roufus seems keen to control Palavra's posture.
Palavra trying to control but Roufus is working from the bottom.
Palavra controls from within his opponent's guard.
Roufus seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palavra pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Roufus is keeping the position for now.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Palavra's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Roufus is on top in guard.
Roufus is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Palavra is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Roufus throws a strike but Palavra rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palavra in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Roufus trying to control the position.
Roufus wants to sweep here but Palavra controlling him for the moment.
Roufus has Palavra pulled in close to control his posture.
Roufus has momentary wrist control but Palavra slips an elbow through the middle.
Roufus is trying to keep Palavra in close.
Palavra works over Roufus with some ground and pound from guard.
Palavra wants to pass the guard but Roufus is keeping the position.
Roufus wants to sweep but no luck.
Palavra tries to free his leg and advance position but Roufus is retaining full guard.
Palavra connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palavra stopping the sweep attempt from Roufus.
Palavra wants to control from the top but Roufus keeps moving.
Palavra forces his way into half guard.

Palavra wants to work for an arm triangle but Roufus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Roufus works his way to full guard. Good work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Palavra missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Palavra is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Roufus has control of Palavra's left arm, preventing Palavra from doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Palavra postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Marijo Palavra.
Well Palavra has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marijo Palavra!