PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steven Conner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Rowlans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Dave Rowlans was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Conner
vs
Rowlans

185 cm
23
261 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

189 cm
18
235 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « Fatality MMA ↑ 5x160Q

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Steven Conner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dave Rowlans!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some bone on bone action there as Conner checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Conner will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rowlans feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Conners jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sloppy strikes from Rowlans. Those never looked like landing.
Rowlans avoids the head kick by Conner.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Conner.
Rowlans is looking to clinch but Conner is avoiding it.
Rowlans throws a looping overhand right but Conner ducks down to avoid it.
Rowlans avoids a punch combination nicely.
Conner fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Conner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rowlans connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Conner momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Rowlans misses the target.
Sloppy strikes from Rowlans. Those never looked like landing.
Dave Rowlans is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rowlans thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rowlans throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rowlans tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Conner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Conner keeps Rowlans at a distance using the push kick.
Rowlans fails with an attempt to clinch.
Steven Conner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rowlans missing with a left hand there. Conner was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
An inside leg kick lands from Rowlans.
Rowlans misses with a leg kick

and Conner counters with a head kick that drops Rowlans to the mat! Rowlans scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
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!
Rowlans throws a combination that misses

and Conner counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Conner.
Rowlans throws a knee to the head but misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Conner goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rowlans prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Conner is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rowlans pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Conner really is a fat lump.
Conner fails to pull guard.
Rowlans taking a breather.
Rowlans prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rowlans is trying to maintain a safe position but Conner gets an underhook and turns Rowlans into the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rowlans.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Dave Rowlans.
Rowlans feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Conner's calf.
Rowlans misses with a straight right.
Rowlans connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rowlans is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Conner looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Conner is breathing heavily.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Rowlans is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rowlans trying to control but Conner postures up.
Rowlans really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Conner. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Conner tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Rowlans.
Conner not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rowlans wants to control but Conner is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Conner decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Conner closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rowlans circles away.
Rowlans throws a right hand that Conner ducks under and follows up with a left that Conner also avoids with ease.

Conner darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rowlans is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Conner's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Conner's back!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rowlans is landing with strikes. Conner can't take much more of this.
Rowlans scores with punches and elbows.
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 Steven Conner will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rowlans loads up on a big right hand but Conner slips the punch.

Conner drives through and clinches with Rowlans against the cage.
Rowlans creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Conner gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Rowlans regains guard.
Conner throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rowlans works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rowlans controls Conner momentarily but Conner frees himself.
Rowlans looking for a sweep. Not yet Rowlans, not yet.
Rowlans is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Conner advances to half guard.
Steven Conner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Conner is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rowlans doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Conner.
Conner thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rowlans's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Conner is looking to advance position but Rowlans won't allow it.
Rowlans is looking to improve his position.
Rowlans on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rowlans trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rowlans pushes Conner off and gets back to his feet.
Conner throws a right hand that Rowlans ducks under and follows up with a left that Rowlans also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rowlans tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Conner was well out of range. Poor timing from Rowlans.
Rowlans throws a looping overhand right but Conner ducks down to avoid it.
Rowlans tries to clinch up.
Rowlans circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steven Conner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rowlans clinches up with Conner and pushes him back against the cage.
Rowlans leaning his opponent against the cage.
Conner tries to pull guard but Rowlans forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Conner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed right hand from Rowlans misses the target.
Rowlans throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Conner uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rowlans.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Rowlans. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rowlans.
Conner is looking to clinch but Rowlans is avoiding it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Conner.
Nice defenses there by Conner.
Dave Rowlans seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Conner takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Conner shoots in looking for a takedown. Rowlans tries to sprawl out of it but Conner keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rowlans manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Conner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Conner on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Conner moves out of range as Rowlans throws a body kick.
Rowlans throws out a loose jab but Conner uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Rowlans 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! This is the final round!

Conner closes the distance and clinches up with Rowlans, looking for a takedown. Conner pushes Rowlans against the cage but Rowlans circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rowlans misses with a two punch combination.
Rowlans throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rowlans paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rowlans misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rowlans misses with a body kick.
Rowlans closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rowlans keeps the fight on the outside.
Conner looks to land a combination but Rowlans avoids it well.
Rowlans connects with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice cross by Rowlans.
The fighters circling - Rowlans throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rowlans doesn't manage to clinch there - Conner circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rowlans, right into the meat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Danga de danga de dang - Rowlans scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Steven Conner has been cut.
Rowlans throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rowlans will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Rowlans has closed the distance and engaged Conner in a clinch.
Rowlans lands a knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rowlans gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rowlans looking to stall.
Rowlans landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Conner.
Rowlans unloads a knee to the mid-section. Conner lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Rowlans connects with a nasty looking knee right to Conner's face.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rowlans.
Rowlans comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rowlans lands a nice elbow.
Rowlans misses with a knee strike.
Rowlans lands a right hand that snaps the head of Conner backwards.
Rowlans content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Rowlans throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Conner blocks it with crossed arms.
Rowlans lands with a short shot to the head.
Conner misses with a body punch.
Rowlans creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Rowlans.
Rowlans lands an elbow inside.
Rowlans lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Conner backwards.

Conner is rocked!
Rowlans using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Oh Conner is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nice elbow from Rowlans.
Rowlans stalling the fight.
Rowlans lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Rowlans.
Rowlans creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Conner's defenses.

Steven Conner's cut is getting worse.
Dave Rowlans seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Come on Rowlans - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Rowlans has the Thai clinch. He lands a big knee to the head that stumbles Conner - he's in trouble! Another big knee to the head from Rowlans, and another! Conner is out on his feet - the ref jumps in to save him and ends the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). Dave Rowlans!
Dave Rowlans seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.