PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Stefan Roosmalen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jd Almanez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Almanez has chosen Rock Hood by Shinobi Ninja as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Roosmalen
vs
Almanez

185 cm
30
201 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

190 cm
25
190 lbs
11 - 11 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Great low kicks
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stefan Roosmalen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jd Almanez!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, David Schapiro and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Almanez has Roosmalen up against the cage in a clinch.
Roosmalen prevents the takedown attempt.
Roosmalen is stalling here.
Roosmalen stops a takedown attempt from Almanez.

Roosmalen has Almanez pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Roosmalen pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Almanez tumbling to the mat - Roosmalen dives into Almanez's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Almanez wants to sweep here but Roosmalen controlling him for the moment.
Roosmalen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Roosmalen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Almanez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Roosmalen trying to control but Almanez is working from the bottom.
Roosmalen throwing strikes but missing.
Almanez trying to control the position.
Roosmalen wants to pass the guard but Almanez is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roosmalen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Roosmalen postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Almanez is on top in guard.
Almanez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Almanez postures up and lands a big shot to Roosmalen's brow.
Roosmalen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Almanez stands up over Roosmalen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Almanez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Almanez is working Roosmalen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Almanez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Roosmalen pulls Almanez in close to his closed guard and prevents Almanez from doing any damage or advancing position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Almanez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Almanez lands a couple of elbows.
Roosmalen has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Almanez landing some decent shots from guard.
Almanez lands a couple of elbows.
Roosmalen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Almanez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Almanez throws a strike but Roosmalen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Roosmalen postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roosmalen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Almanez kicks Roosmalen off and gets to his feet.
Roosmalen walks into a straight right hand from Almanez.
Good shot there by Almanez.
Almanez scores with a three punch combo!
Roosmalen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Roosmalen.
Almanez lands a glancing blow to the side of Roosmalen's head.
Roosmalen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Roosmalen pushes Almanez away with a front kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Roosmalen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Almanez takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Good standup being displayed there by Almanez as he connects with a hook.
Almanez plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A telegraphed right hand from Roosmalen misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almanez scores with a nice strike.
Almanez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Roosmalen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Almanez somewhat.
Stefan Roosmalen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jd Almanez.
Almanez dives in and grabs Roosmalen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Roosmalen pushes down on Almanez's head and hops out.
Almanez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Almanez takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Roosmalen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Almanez.
Almanez misses with an uppercut. Roosmalen saw that one coming.
Roosmalen moves out of range of the strikes.
Almanez jabs at Roosmalen's body.
Some bone on bone action there as Almanez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Roosmalen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Almanez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Roosmalen misses with a body kick.
Almanez looks to throw the jab but Roosmalen is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jd Almanez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Roosmalen scores with a takedown into Almanez's guard.
Almanez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Roosmalen's guard.
Almanez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Almanez postures up.
Almanez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Roosmalen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Roosmalen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Roosmalen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Almanez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Roosmalen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Almanez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Almanez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Roosmalen is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almanez is looking to work some ground and pound but Roosmalen has wrist control.
Jd Almanez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Almanez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Roosmalen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Almanez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Roosmalen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Roosmalen trying to keep a closed guard but Almanez is proving a slippery customer.
Almanez throwing strikes but missing.
Almanez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Roosmalen's head.
Almanez postures up in Roosmalen's guard and throws a big left but Roosmalen blocks it.
Almanez is working Roosmalen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Almanez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Almanez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Almanez is fighting to break Roosmalen's control of his arms but Roosmalen is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Roosmalen manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Almanez is in all sorts of trouble here.
Roosmalen trying to control but Almanez is having none of it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Roosmalen looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Almanez is desperately trying to improve his position but Roosmalen has a good base and remains in mount.
Roosmalen unloads with some shots from mount but Almanez bucks and avoids them well.
Almanez tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roosmalen postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Almanez looks a forlorn figure.
Almanez regains half guard.
Roosmalen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Roosmalen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Almanez sees it coming and defends easily.
Almanez is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Almanez regains full guard. Nicely done.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Almanez is on top in guard.
Almanez working some strikes from top position.
Roosmalen controls Almanez momentarily but Almanez frees himself.
Roosmalen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Roosmalen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Almanez scores with a few weak punches.
Almanez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Roosmalen throws a big elbow that misses.
Roosmalen is fighting to break Almanez's control of his arms but Almanez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Almanez is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Roosmalen throws a knee to the head but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Roosmalen wants to stall.

Almanez lands a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jd Almanez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Roosmalen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Good work by Roosmalen as he checks the leg kick.
Almanez thuds his right hand into Roosmalen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Roosmalen is looking to clinch but Almanez is avoiding it.
Jd Almanez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Almanez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Roosmalen moves away.
Almanez throws out a loose jab but Roosmalen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Roosmalen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Almanez.
A head kick misses from Almanez.
Jd Almanez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Almanez misses with an uppercut. Roosmalen saw that one coming.
Almanez scores with a nice head shot.
Roosmalen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Almanez tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Roosmalen misses the shot to the body.
Almanez fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Roosmalen lands with a nice body punch.
Roosmalen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Almanez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almanez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Roosmalen throws a wild body kick that Almanez sees coming a mile off.
Roosmalen connects with an inside leg kick.
Roosmalen stuffs the takedown.
Almanez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Almanez misses with a low kick.
Almanez misses the jab.
Almanez avoids the head kick by Roosmalen.

Almanez gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Roosmalen to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Roosmalen trying to control but Almanez is working from the bottom.
Almanez trying to keep a closed guard but Roosmalen is proving a slippery customer.

Almanez working for a triangle but Roosmalen defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roosmalen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Almanez's guard.
Roosmalen trying to mount his opponent but Almanez defends it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Almanez tries to roll over but Roosmalen keeps him under control.
Almanez is concentrating on defense, preventing Roosmalen from advancing position.
Almanez trying to control here.
Roosmalen wants to take a breather but Almanez is having none of it.
Almanez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Roosmalen.
Almanez works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roosmalen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Roosmalen content to stall in guard here.
Roosmalen looking to sit in guard and control but Almanez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Roosmalen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Almanez throws an elbow that misses. Roosmalen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Almanez's guard. Nice move by Roosmalen!
Almanez is trying to control the position but Roosmalen postures up.
Almanez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Roosmalen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almanez looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Almanez is on top in guard.
Almanez postures up and lands a big shot to Roosmalen's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Almanez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Roosmalen 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.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Almanez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Roosmalen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Roosmalen controls Almanez momentarily but Almanez frees himself.
Roosmalen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Almanez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jd Almanez just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Roosmalen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Almanez can't get the takedown.
Almanez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Roosmalen prevents it.
Almanez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Roosmalen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stefan Roosmalen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jd Almanez.
Almanez throws a left and a right that both miss
and Roosmalen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Almanez looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Roosmalen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Roosmalen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Roosmalen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Roosmalen lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Almanez has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Almanez and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Almanez throws a hook but Roosmalen avoids it easily.
Almanez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Almanez swings for the body but Roosmalen moves out of range.

Roosmalen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roosmalen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Almanez keeping hold of Roosmalen's head, controlling as best he can.
Almanez won't allow Roosmalen to pass to mount.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jd Almanez was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Almanez lands with a cross.
Almanez scores with a jab to the jaw.
Almanez misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Almanez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Roosmalen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Almanez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Almanez connects with a jab.
Roosmalen scores with a kick to the body.
Almanez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Roosmalen at a distance.
Almanez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Roosmalen fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Roosmalen takes one on the button.
Almanez misses with the combination.
Roosmalen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Almanez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Almanez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Roosmalen throws out the jab.
Roosmalen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Almanez throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Roosmalen on the side of the head.
Roosmalen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Jab, jab by Almanez - just one landing.
Almanez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Almanez looks to score with a jab to the body but Roosmalen is just out of range.
Roosmalen shoots in looking for a takedown. Almanez tries to sprawl out of it but Roosmalen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Almanez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Almanez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Almanez cracks Roosmalen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Roosmalen dives in and grabs Almanez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Almanez pushes down on Roosmalen's head and hops out.
Stefan Roosmalen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roosmalen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Almanez lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Almanez lands a jab to the head.
Roosmalen pushes Almanez away with a front kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Roosmalen, right into the meat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Almanez.
Almanez throws a head kick that misses.
Roosmalen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nice straight punches there by Almanez. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Almanez.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Almanez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Roosmalen but Roosmalen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice defenses there by Roosmalen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Jd Almanez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Roosmalen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Roosmalen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Almanez.
Roosmalen scoring well with a low kick there.
A punch combination from Roosmalen misses.
Roosmalen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Almanez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Roosmalen takes one to the side of the head.
Almanez lands with an overhand left.
Almanez misses with a few strikes there.
Nice uppercut lands for Almanez. That snapped Roosmalen's head back.
Roosmalen misses with a body kick.
Jab from Almanez.
Good standup being displayed there by Almanez as he connects with a hook.
Almanez lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Almanez finds it's way through Roosmalen's defenses.
Nice straight punches there by Almanez. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Almanez.
Roosmalen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Almanez moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Almanez moves into range and clinches up with Roosmalen.
Almanez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Almanez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Almanez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Almanez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Roosmalen smiles and moves away.
Almanez is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Roosmalen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Almanez throws a looping overhand right but Roosmalen ducks down to avoid it.
Jd Almanez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roosmalen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Roosmalen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Roosmalen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A punch combination from Almanez misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Almanez misses the target.
Almanez throws a head kick that misses.
Roosmalen thumps Almanez with a low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Roosmalen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Almanez.
Almanez scores with a hook to the body. Roosmalen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Almanez shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Roosmalen eats them both and turns towards Almanez to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
No luck for Roosmalen with that takedown attempt.
Almanez moves out of range of the body kick.
Almanez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Roosmalen.
Roosmalen throws a push kick but Almanez slaps the foot to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roosmalen throws a low kick but Almanez avoids it.
Almanez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Roosmalen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Roosmalen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Almanez lands the left hand.
Roosmalen slips a straight right by Almanez.
Almanez connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Roosmalen's hands.
Roosmalen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Almanez to score with a decent uppercut.
Almanez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Roosmalen jabs Almanez right on the nose. Almanez blinks but takes it well.
Almanez lands a jab to the head.
Roosmalen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stefan Roosmalen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roosmalen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stefan Roosmalen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almanez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Roosmalen takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Roosmalen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Roosmalen does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Almanez tries to close the distance and clinch but Roosmalen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Almanez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Almanez scores with a nice strike.
Almanez connects with a looping right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Almanez getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Almanez misses with a series of wild punches.
Almanez throws a nice inside leg kick.
Roosmalen misses with a two punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jd Almanez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Almanez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 46:50
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jd Almanez!
Jd Almanez is the new middleweight champion!
Jd Almanez thanked the fans post fight for their support.