PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Byrd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Rogov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rogov has chosen Cult of Personality as his entrance music. Alex Rogov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Byrd
vs
Rogov

182 cm
20
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

174 cm
25
168 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « AJFC↑ TRIPLE 160Q ®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Byrd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Rogov!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rogov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Byrd tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rogov is in Byrd's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Byrd working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rogov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rogov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Byrd being controlled here, momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rogov stopping the sweep attempt from Byrd.
Rogov tries to stand but Byrd is controlling from the bottom.
Rogov trying to control the position from guard on top but Byrd is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Byrd is looking for a triangle but Rogov pushes his legs off easily.
Rogov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Alex Rogov.
Rogov slaps away a takedown attempt from Byrd, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Rogov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Rogov seems to be looking for submissions.
Byrd is trying to control but can't.

Byrd is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rogov pulls his head out easily.
Rogov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Byrd is defending against the submission attempts here by Rogov.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Byrd makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Byrd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rogov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Rogov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Byrd looking for a guillotine here but Rogov defends easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Byrd throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogov won't allow Byrd to sweep him here.
Rogov trying to control but Byrd is working from the bottom.
Byrd can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rogov controls the pace.
Rogov trying to control but Byrd is working from the bottom.

Byrd has his foot on Rogov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rogov works his way back into a safe position though.
Rogov controlling from the top position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Alex Rogov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Rogov gets a double leg takedown into Byrd's guard.
Rogov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Byrd's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rogov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Byrd's head.
Byrd is trying to control the position but Rogov postures up.
Rogov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alex Rogov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Byrd closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rogov circles away.
Rogov is looking to clinch but Byrd is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Rogov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rogov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rogov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rogov wants to control from the top but Byrd keeps moving.
Rogov content to stall in guard here.
Rogov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Byrd is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Byrd keeping moving, preventing Rogov from controlling successfully.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alex Rogov wasn't active enough on the ground.
Byrd dives in and grabs Rogov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rogov pushes down on Byrd's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rogov closes the distance and clinches up with Byrd, looking for a takedown. Rogov pushes Byrd against the cage but Byrd circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Rogov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Rogov landing shots from mount.
Rogov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Byrd is trying desperately to improve position.
Byrd tries to hold on but Rogov pushes him away.
Rogov controlling from the full mount.
Rogov dominating with strikes here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Byrd is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Rogov controlling his opponent.
Rogov works his way to his opponent's back.

Rogov goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Byrd escapes and is now in half guard on top.
Rogov trying to control from the bottom.
Byrd with the ground and pound but Rogov uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogov is trying to control the position but Byrd postures up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rogov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Byrd trying to control but Rogov is working from the bottom.
Byrd looking to pass the guard.
Byrd passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Byrd tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Byrd has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Byrd is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rogov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rogov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rogov is trying to maintain the position but Byrd is very close to passing his half guard.
Byrd missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Byrd is working for a submission of some sort.
Rogov gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Rogov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Byrd tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rogov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Byrd somewhat.

Rogov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Byrd did well to prevent Rogov getting side control.
Rogov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Byrd wants to improve his position but Rogov is controlling well.
Rogov is trying to control. Byrd wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alex Rogov wasn't active enough on the ground.

Rogov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Byrd to the ground. Rogov is now in Byrd's guard.
Byrd trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rogov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Byrd, up you get!
Rogov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Byrd.

Rogov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Byrd is trying to defend but Rogov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Rogov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rogov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Byrd looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Byrd is looking to control Rogov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Byrd avoid being mounted?
Rogov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rogov is taking a breather. Byrd says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Byrd looking for subs from the bottom but Rogov mounts him!

Rogov is working for a guillotine from mount but Byrd frees his head quite easily.
Rogov landing strikes from the mount and Byrd is in trouble!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Byrd tries to hold on but Rogov pushes him away.

Rogov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Rogov is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Byrd.

Rogov scores a takedown into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogov working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Rogov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Rogov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Byrd?
Rogov landing strikes from the mount.
Byrd taking shots to the head.

Rogov stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Byrd keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogov leaves Byrd with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Byrd. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Byrd gets tackled into the cage by Rogov. Rogov maintains the clinch.

Rogov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rogov looks up at the clock and then as Byrd takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Rogov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Alex Rogov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Byrd manages to get back to half guard.

Byrd is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rogov pulls his head out easily.
Byrd tries to roll over but Rogov keeps him under control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rogov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Michael Byrd has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Rogov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rogov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Rogov!
Alex Rogov decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.