PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mandingo Munchousen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Rothwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Munchousen
vs
Rothwell

195 cm
21
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
212 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

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 Amsterdam, Mandingo Munchousen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, James Rothwell!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Daniel Blasius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rothwell bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Munchousen's head backwards.
Rothwell doesn't manage to clinch there - Munchousen circles away.
Munchousen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Munchousen closes the distance and clinches.
Rothwell misses with the head strike.
Munchousen trying to land knees to the body.
Munchousen looking to slow down the pace here.
Maybe Munchousen would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Rothwell misses with a punch on the inside.
Munchousen is working for takedown but Rothwell is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rothwell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Munchousen wants to get back to striking at distance but Rothwell won't allow it.
Rothwell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Rothwell scores with a nice short uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Munchousen.
Rothwell looks gassed!
Rothwell throws a punch but it's blocked by Munchousen.
Rothwell tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rothwell lands a right hand that snaps the head of Munchousen backwards.
Munchousen tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Munchousen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Munchousen feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Munchousen throwing strikes but missing.
Munchousen thows a big elbow that misses.
Munchousen trying to control the position from guard on top but Rothwell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rothwell is working an open guard so Munchousen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Munchousen. Those never looked like landing.

Munchousen moves into range and clinches up with Rothwell.
Rothwell blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Munchousen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Munchousen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rothwell gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mandingo Munchousen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rothwell working aggressively here.
Munchousen goes for a takedown attempt but Rothwell pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Munchousen takes the fight into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rothwell misses with the head strike.
Munchousen throws an elbow that misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Munchousen.

It looks like James Rothwell has been cut.
Rothwell has a couple of punches blocked by Munchousen.
Rothwell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Munchousen is looking to control Rothwell's arms but Rothwell gets an underhook and turns him. Now Munchousen has his back to the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Munchousen works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Rothwell is working an open guard so Munchousen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Munchousen moves into the clinch successfully.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Munchousen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rothwell's brow.
Munchousen trying to land knees to the body.
Munchousen wants a takedown but no success here.
Rothwell avoiding damage as Munchousen throws knees to the body.
Munchousen can't get the takedown.
Munchousen trying to control the position but instead, Rothwell has worked for underhooks and has pushed Munchousen into the cage.
Rothwell dodges an elbow strike from Munchousen.
Rothwell keeps control of Munchousen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Munchousen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Rothwell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Munchousen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Munchousen manages to escape and get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Munchousen has managed to clinch.
Munchousen is trying to push Rothwell away but Rothwell has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Munchousen is looking to break free of the clinch but Rothwell has double underhooks.
Rothwell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Munchousen blocking some punches.
Munchousen can't get the takedown.
Rothwell dodges an elbow strike from Munchousen.
Rothwell prevents a takedown attempt there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Munchousen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rothwell misses with a punch to the body.
Munchousen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mandingo Munchousen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Rothwell's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rothwell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mandingo Munchousen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Munchousen clinches up against the cage.
Rothwell avoiding damage as Munchousen throws knees to the body.
Munchousen throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Munchousen blocking some punches.
Rothwell scores with a nice hook to the head.
Munchousen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rothwell pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Munchousen fails to land.
Rothwell lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Munchousen has Rothwell pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rothwell manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mandingo Munchousen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Munchousen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rothwell has him pressed against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Rothwell.
Munchousen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rothwell prevents a takedown attempt there.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rothwell as Munchousen tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rothwell lands a hook to the side of the head.
Munchousen tries to land a knee to the head but Rothwell blocks with his arms.
Rothwell lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short left from Rothwell.
Munchousen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rothwell lands a body shot.
Munchousen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rothwell is working Munchousen over against the cage.
Rothwell working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rothwell lands on the inside with an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rothwell.
Rothwell lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rothwell scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rothwell lands a right hand that snaps the head of Munchousen backwards.
Rothwell lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rothwell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Munchousen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Munchousen tries to break free but Rothwell pushes him back against the cage.
Rothwell lands a right hand that snaps the head of Munchousen backwards.
Rothwell swings wildly with an uppercut but Munchousen uses good head movement to avoid it.

Munchousen has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rothwell uses from the top position.
Rothwell is looking to stand up but Munchousen won't let him.

Munchousen pushes Rothwell off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munchousen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Munchousen tries a head kick but it misses.

Munchousen takes the fight into the clinch.
Mandingo Munchousen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Munchousen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Munchousen trying to stall but Rothwell improves his position.
Munchousen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rothwell just stands there and leans against the cage.
Munchousen is trying to drag Rothwell to the mat but Rothwell just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rothwell lands a shoulder strike.
Rothwell cracks Munchousen with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Munchousen blocking some punches.
Rothwell swings wildly with an uppercut but Munchousen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Munchousen tries to stall but Rothwell uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Munchousen blocks an uppercut.
Munchousen blocks a body shot from Rothwell.
Munchousen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rothwell is keeping busy.
Rothwell is pressed up against the cage. Munchousen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rothwell down to the mat. Rothwell avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Good standup being displayed there by Rothwell as he connects with a hook.

Munchousen drives through and clinches with Rothwell against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Munchousen wants a takedown.
Rothwell managing to block the knees to the body from Munchousen.
Rothwell presses Munchousen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mandingo Munchousen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on James Rothwell'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. And we move into the final round!

Munchousen tries for a takedown but Rothwell sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Munchousen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rothwell lands a jab.

Munchousen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rothwell looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Rothwell's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rothwell tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Munchousen decides to stand up, so the ref orders Rothwell to his feet.
Decent striking displayed by Rothwell there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Munchousen forces Rothwell back against the cage and clinches.
Rothwell lands a left hand.
Munchousen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A short uppercut from Rothwell.
Munchousen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rothwell prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mandingo Munchousen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Munchousen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rothwell prevents it.
Rothwell throws a punch but it's blocked by Munchousen.
Rothwell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rothwell blocks an elbow strike from Munchousen.
Rothwell lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Munchousen backwards.
Munchousen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Munchousen looking to stall.
Munchousen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rothwell pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rothwell blocks an elbow strike from Munchousen.
Rothwell is pressed up against the cage. Munchousen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rothwell down to the mat. Rothwell avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Munchousen misses with a head kick.
Rothwell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Munchousen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rothwell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rothwell wants to clinch.

Munchousen rushes Rothwell and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Munchousen wants a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rothwell.
Rothwell lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Munchousen backwards.
Munchousen wants a takedown.
Rothwell works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rothwell can't find room to land a body shot as Munchousen controls the action.
Rothwell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Munchousen's elbow.
Munchousen is trying to break the clinch but Rothwell has him pressed against the cage.
Munchousen dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Rothwell lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rothwell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Munchousen is trying to break free.
Rothwell lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rothwell lands with a left to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rothwell gets underhooks to prevent Munchousen's takedown attempt.
Munchousen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rothwell tries to throw a body punch but Munchousen avoids it by throwing Rothwell back against the cage.
James Rothwell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Munchousen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rothwell's brow.
Munchousen is looking to control Rothwell's arms but Rothwell gets an underhook and turns him. Now Munchousen has his back to the cage.
Rothwell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Munchousen can't break the clinch.
Rothwell misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rothwell creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rothwell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Munchousen's elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rothwell prevents Munchousen from breaking the clinch.
Munchousen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Munchousen is stalling here.
Mandingo Munchousen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Munchousen stalling in the clinch but Rothwell improves position.

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 Mandingo Munchousen.
Well Munchousen 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mandingo Munchousen!