PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ilan Rotberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Furcal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Rotberg
vs
Furcal

183 cm
30
217 lbs
15 - 13 - 0

187 cm
26
218 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 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 15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ilan Rotberg!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mike Furcal!
The judges for this bout are , and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Furcal throws a series of punches but Rotberg avoids them all with ease.
Rotberg throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Furcal throws a nice looking combination but Rotberg bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice defenses there by Furcal.
Rotberg defending well as Furcal loads up on a big left hand.
Rotberg misses with a double jab.
Furcal slips under a jab.
Furcal works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

It looks like Ilan Rotberg has been cut.
Furcal rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rotberg moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rotberg tries to bum rush Furcal with a series of wild strikes but Furcal uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Furcal misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rotberg takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Furcal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Furcal avoids the body shot from Rotberg.
Rotberg tests Furcal's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A shot to the liver by Rotberg. Beautiful body shot.

Rotberg shoots in and bounces Furcal off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Furcal tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rotberg avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Furcal looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rotberg is one step ahead there.
Furcal keeping full guard, as Rotberg tries to pass.
Rotberg is stalling in the full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rotberg trying to control but Furcal is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rotberg wants to pass the guard but Furcal is keeping the position.
Rotberg working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Furcal keeping moving, preventing Rotberg from controlling successfully.
Furcal utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rotberg has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rotberg throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Furcal works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Furcal looking for a sweep. Not yet Furcal, not yet.
Rotberg trying to control but Furcal is working from the bottom.
Rotberg is looking to work some ground and pound but Furcal has wrist control.
Rotberg is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Furcal controls Rotberg momentarily but Rotberg frees himself.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Furcal misses with a few strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Rotberg misses.
Rotberg scores with the left hand. Furcal knows he should have avoided that one.
Furcal slips under a jab from Rotberg.
Mike Furcal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A swing and a miss from Rotberg.
Furcal looks to score with a jab to the body but Rotberg is just out of range.
Furcal checks the leg kick nicely there.
Furcal lands a jab.
Rotberg tries to land a leg kick but Furcal saw it coming and moves away.

Furcal shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Furcal is working for a submission of some sort.

Furcal is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Furcal is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rotberg is just riding it out for now. Furcal eventually gives up the hold.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rotberg tries to get to full guard but Furcal has control of the leg.

Furcal is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rotberg doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Furcal.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rotberg is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Furcal's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Furcal's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ilan Rotberg will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ilan Rotberg'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.

Furcal fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rotberg to the ground. Furcal is now in Rotberg's guard.
Furcal tries to free his leg and advance position but Rotberg is retaining full guard.
Rotberg controls Furcal momentarily but Furcal frees himself.
Furcal pushes down on Rotberg's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Rotberg tries to roll over but Furcal keeps him under control.
Furcal trying to mount his opponent but Rotberg defends it.
Furcal moves nicely into side control.
Furcal tries to advance to mount but Rotberg denies him.
Rotberg tries to buck Furcal off but Furcal is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Furcal tries to advance to mount but Rotberg denies him.
Rotberg tries to control but Furcal manages to take his back.

Furcal has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Rotberg has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Furcal looking to break Rotberg's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Rotberg remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Furcal will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Furcal gets his hands free as Rotberg looks to control.
Furcal doesn't have the hooks in and Rotberg manages to turn into his guard.

Furcal is looking for a triangle but Rotberg pushes his legs off easily.
Rotberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Furcal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Furcal 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rotberg trying to control but Furcal is working from the bottom.
Furcal wants to sweep here but Rotberg controlling him for the moment.
Rotberg wants to control from the top but Furcal keeps moving.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ilan Rotberg wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Rotberg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rotberg swinging wildly here.
Rotberg misses with a wild combination.
Rotberg misses with a looping right.
Rotberg pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rotberg misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Furcal.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rotberg is defended easily by Furcal.
Furcal just misses with a punch to the body.

Furcal changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rotberg looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rotberg is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Furcal's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Furcal tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rotberg knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rotberg works his way to full guard. Good work.
Furcal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rotberg looking to hit a scissor sweep but Furcal is one step ahead there.
Rotberg pulls Furcal in to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Furcal looking to pass the guard.
Rotberg looking to control.
Rotberg keeping full guard, as Furcal tries to pass.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rotberg working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Furcal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ilan Rotberg's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Furcal takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ilan Rotberg is winning the standup battle so far.

Furcal shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rotberg's guard.
Rotberg not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mike Furcal has got the better of the ground game so far.
Furcal tries to free his leg and advance position but Rotberg is retaining full guard.
Furcal trying to move into half guard but instead Rotberg has managed to sweep!
Furcal trying to keep a closed guard but Rotberg is proving a slippery customer.

Furcal is looking for a triangle but Rotberg pushes his legs off easily.
Furcal working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rotberg.
Rotberg wants to pass the guard but Furcal is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rotberg stopping the sweep attempt from Furcal.
Rotberg wants to control from the top but Furcal keeps moving.
Furcal trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rotberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Furcal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

We're going to have a standup here because Ilan Rotberg wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A slow jab from Furcal misses its intended target.
Furcal ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A nice combination there by Rotberg.
Furcal just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rotberg throws out a loose jab but Furcal uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rotberg shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Furcal connects with a jab.
Furcal jabs Rotberg right on the nose. Rotberg blinks but takes it well.

Furcal shoots in and bounces Rotberg off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Furcal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rotberg wants to sweep but no luck.
Rotberg is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rotberg looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Rotberg wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rotberg controls Furcal momentarily but Furcal frees himself.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Ilan Rotberg has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Nice shot lands for Furcal.
Furcal misses with a wild combination.
Furcal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Furcal looks to land a right hand but Rotberg moved out of range.
A swing and a miss from Furcal.
Furcal throws a jab when Rotberg was well out of range.
Rotberg just misses with a punch to the body.
Furcal looks to score with a jab to the body but Rotberg is just out of range.
Rotberg throws a nice looking combination but Furcal bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Furcal misses the shot to the body.

Furcal drives through with a takedown into Rotberg's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Furcal looking to pass the guard.
Furcal sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rotberg's guard.
Rotberg works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rotberg lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Furcal!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Furcal is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Furcal is trying desperately to improve position.
Rotberg tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Furcal is working to get back to half guard.

Rotberg jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Furcal manages to avoid the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Mike Furcal just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Ilan Rotberg's cut.
That's time! Rotberg's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A jab from Rotberg misses.

Furcal shoots in and gets a takedown into Rotberg's guard.
Rotberg is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Rotberg trying to control the action but Furcal is working from the bottom.
Rotberg wants to free his trapped foot but Furcal is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Furcal wants to control but Rotberg is keeping busy.
Rotberg looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Furcal is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rotberg is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rotberg prevents Furcal from improving his position.
Furcal is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rotberg thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rotberg missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rotberg wants to take a breather but Furcal is having none of it.
Furcal wants to improve his position but Rotberg is controlling well.
Furcal regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rotberg wants to pass the guard but Furcal is keeping the position.

Rotberg got a little sloppy there for a moment and Furcal has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rotberg has managed to get both his arms back between Furcal's legs - danger averted.
Rotberg advances position into side control!

Rotberg wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Furcal, who protects the arm well.

Rotberg looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Rotberg trying to control the action but Furcal is working from the bottom.
Furcal regains half guard there - taking advantage of Rotberg's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Furcal is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Furcal is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Furcal trying to control but Rotberg postures up.
Furcal is trying to stand.
Furcal tries to roll over but Rotberg keeps him under control.
Rotberg is trying to control the action in half guard but Furcal is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Furcal is looking for a sweep. Rotberg is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Furcal avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rotberg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rotberg slows the pace down in half guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Ilan Rotberg wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Furcal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rotberg was well out of range. Poor timing from Furcal.
Rotberg throws a one two combo.
Furcal throws a right and a left that Rotberg avoids nicely.
Rotberg misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rotberg fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Furcal looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rotberg lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rotberg swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Furcal.
A combination from Rotberg does no damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilan Rotberg had his way with Mike Furcal in that round.
The cut man is working on Ilan Rotberg's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Furcal wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ilan Rotberg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Furcal looks to land a combination but Rotberg avoids it well.
Rotberg throws a jab but it's blocked by Furcal.
A left lands for Rotberg.
Rotberg slips under a jab.
Furcal misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Furcal throws a hook but Rotberg avoids it easily.
Furcal cracks Rotberg with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Rotberg jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rotberg.
Rotberg jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rotberg swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rotberg misses with a hook.
Rotberg lands a jab to the head.
Furcal is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A shot to the liver by Rotberg. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Furcal on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Furcal connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rotberg momentarily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rotberg.

Furcal is rocked!
Furcal dodges the punch combination from Rotberg.
Furcal is still on wobbly legs! Can Rotberg finish him?
Furcal throws a right and a left that Rotberg avoids nicely.
Rotberg misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Furcal seems to have recovered his senses.
Rotberg throws a hook but Furcal blocks it.
Rotberg scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Furcal scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Furcal moves forwards but Rotberg connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rotberg uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Furcal.
Furcal throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rotberg throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rotberg misses with a looping left.
Furcal ducks under a wild hook from Rotberg.
Rotberg connects with a looping right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A swing and a miss from Rotberg.
A slow jab from Furcal misses its intended target.
Furcal punishes Rotberg's body with a nice straight punch.
Furcal fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rotberg manages to avoid it.
Rotberg throws a shot from downtown. Furcal moves away and avoids it.
Rotberg throws a shot from downtown. Furcal moves away and avoids it.
Rotberg throws a combination that misses
and Furcal counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Furcal drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Rotberg is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rotberg controls the position for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rotberg manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Rotberg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Furcal wants to sweep but Rotberg has passed to side control!
Rotberg lands a few punches from side control.

Rotberg is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Furcal has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rotberg taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Rotberg crashes against the mat.
Furcal is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Rotberg is trying to control the action in half guard but Furcal is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Furcal trying to control but Rotberg postures up.
Furcal gets full guard.
Rotberg is looking to work some ground and pound but Furcal has wrist control.
Rotberg slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rotberg trying to control but Furcal is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rotberg is fighting to break Furcal's control of his arms but Furcal is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilan Rotberg showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rotberg 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 48:47
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilan Rotberg!
Ilan Rotberg retains his light heavyweight title!