PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Justin Roza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lerba Schmeizel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Schmeizel has chosen Hava Nagila as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Roza
vs
Schmeizel

180 cm
25
163 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

184 cm
19
162 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Good elbows
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Justin Roza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lerba Schmeizel!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roza shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Schmeizel as he avoids it easily.

Schmeizel pushes Roza up against the cage in a clinch.
Schmeizel lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Justin Roza has been cut.
Schmeizel misses with an elbow over the top.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Roza.
Schmeizel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Schmeizel throws an elbow but it misses.
Roza blocks an elbow strike from Schmeizel.
Roza blocks an elbow strike from Schmeizel.
Roza tries to circle away but Schmeizel has him pinned against the cage.
Roza taking a breather.
Roza managing to block the knees to the body from Schmeizel.
Schmeizel tries a knee to the head but Roza blocks it.

Roza jumps guard and drags Schmeizel to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Schmeizel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Roza wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Lerba Schmeizel.
Roza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Schmeizel tries to avoid it but Roza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Schmeizel to the ground. Schmeizel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Roza swats away the attempt to clinch by Schmeizel.
Roza fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Schmeizel on the side of the head.
Schmeizel displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Roza.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Roza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schmeizel tries to clinch but Roza moves out of range.
Roza shoots in for a takedown but Schmeizel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Roza misses with a right hand

and Schmeizel counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Schmeizel.
Roza looking to slow down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roza fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Roza lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Roza is trying to push Schmeizel away but Schmeizel has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Roza jumps guard but Schmeizel stands there with Roza around his waist. Roza gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Schmeizel using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Roza has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Roza blocks the elbow strike.
Schmeizel lands a damaging elbow.
Roza is working for takedown but Schmeizel is calmly controlling the position for now.
Schmeizel misses with an elbow over the top.
Roza dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Roza changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Schmeizel fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Schmeizel takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Schmeizel takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roza avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Roza misses with a few strikes there.
Roza throws a jab but it's blocked by Schmeizel.
Roza connects with a body shot that sends Schmeizel's belly button to the back.
Schmeizel tries to clinch up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Roza.
Roza misses with a body shot.
Schmeizel moves in looking to clinch but Roza pushes him off.
Roza looks for a takedown but Schmeizel sprawls well.
Roza avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Schmeizel tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roza shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Schmeizel pinned against the cage. Schmeizel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Schmeizel moves away from the strike by Roza.
Roza throws a jab but it's blocked by Schmeizel.
Roza tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Schmeizel was well out of range. Poor timing from Roza.
Roza misses with a jab, cross combination.
Roza takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Roza throws a shot to the body.
Schmeizel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Roza takes a swing at Schmeizel's ribcage but misses.
Schmeizel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Roza sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Roza lands a nice looking body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Roza looks to land a right hand but Schmeizel moved out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Roza dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Justin Roza's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Roza tries for a takedown but Schmeizel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Roza shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Schmeizel gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Roza not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

We're going to have a standup here because Justin Roza wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Schmeizel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmeizel tries for a takedown but Roza sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The crowd cheers as Roza lands an impressive looking overhand right. Schmeizel doesn't seem phased though.
Nice defenses there by Schmeizel.
Schmeizel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Roza is trying hard to land a takedown here. Schmeizel sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Roza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roza shoots for a takedown but Schmeizel saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Schmeizel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Schmeizel wants it to stay on the feet.
Roza fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Roza has a takedown stuffed.
Schmeizel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roza tries for a takedown but Schmeizel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Schmeizel looks to clinch
and Roza counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Schmeizel dives in and grabs Roza's left leg, looking for a takedown. Roza pushes down on Schmeizel's head and hops out.
Schmeizel moves in looking to clinch but Roza pushes him off.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Roza throws a looping overhand right but Schmeizel ducks down to avoid it.
Roza cracks Schmeizel with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Roza.
Schmeizel fails with an attempt to clinch.
A combination from Roza does no damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Roza feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Schmeizels jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Schmeizel tries to clinch there but Roza circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Schmeizel pushes Roza up against the cage in a clinch.
Schmeizel has a couple of punches blocked by Roza.
Knees to the body from Schmeizel.
Roza drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Schmeizel gets the underhooks and prevents it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Schmeizel just misses with a elbow thrown towards Roza's brow.
Schmeizel throws a punch but it's blocked by Roza.
Roza can't break the clinch.
Roza trying to stall but Schmeizel improves his position.
Roza on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Roza breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Roza misses with a few strikes there.
Roza circles away from the clinch attempt.
Roza thows a body shot but no joy.
A lazy left from Roza finds it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Roza.
Roza catches Schmeizel with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Roza circles away from the clinch attempt.
Schmeizel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Schmeizel tries to clinch but Roza moves out of range.
Roza slips a jab and a cross from Schmeizel.
Schmeizel tries to clinch up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Schmeizel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Justin Roza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schmeizel is looking to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Schmeizel fails with an attempt to clinch.
Roza looks to land a left hand but Schmeizel moved out of range nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Roza dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Justin Roza's cut.
That's time! Roza's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Roza connects with a nice looking jab.
Schmeizel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice takedown defense from Schmeizel. No joy for Roza on that attempt.
Schmeizel wants to clinch up but Roza keeps it at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Roza.
Schmeizel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Roza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schmeizel wants to clinch.
Justin Roza is winning the standup battle so far.
Roza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Schmeizel's waist but Schmeizel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Roza off to one side.
Schmeizel tries to clinch up but Roza circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schmeizel fails in his attempt to clinch.
Roza keeps the fight on the outside.
Schmeizel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Roza swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Roza throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Schmeizel takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Roza ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Schmeizel moves away.

Schmeizel moves into the clinch.
Schmeizel misses with an elbow strike.
Roza looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Schmeizel tries a knee to the head but Roza blocks it.
Roza takes a knee to the side of the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Schmeizel.
Schmeizel creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Roza's defenses.
Roza avoids a wild elbow strike from Schmeizel.
Schmeizel looking to throw knees to the head but Roza is blocking nicely.
Lerba Schmeizel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schmeizel tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lerba Schmeizel seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Schmeizel tries a knee to the head but Roza blocks it.
Roza takes an elbow to the forehead.
Schmeizel changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Roza fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Danga de danga de dang - Roza scores with a four punch combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Roza throws out a loose jab but Schmeizel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Schmeizel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Roza.
Roza misses with a few strikes there.
Schmeizel is looking to clinch but Roza is avoiding it.

Schmeizel gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Schmeizel comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Roza misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Schmeizel throws an elbow but misses.
Schmeizel lands a damaging elbow.
Schmeizel creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Schmeizel lands a left hand that snaps the head of Roza backwards.
Roza takes a knee right on the jaw!
Roza tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Schmeizel just stands there and leans against the cage.
Roza blocks the elbow strike.
Schmeizel misses with an elbow over the top.
Schmeizel with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Roza has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Schmeizel uses from the top position.
Schmeizel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Roza is on top in guard.
Schmeizel working a defensive guard here.
Justin Roza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schmeizel pulls Roza in to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Lerba Schmeizel was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Roza uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lerba Schmeizel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Roza misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Roza works Schmeizel's body with a nice hook.
Schmeizel misses with a looping left.
Schmeizel takes one to the chin there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Schmeizel throws a hook to the side of Roza's head but Roza sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Roza changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Roza lands with a straight right. Schmeizel didn't see that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Lerba Schmeizel.
I think Roza has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Roza!