PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thabiso Rowan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Prince Symbol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Prince Symbol is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Rowan
vs
Symbol

180 cm
22
193 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

150 cm
22
193 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Blueprint Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thabiso Rowan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Prince Symbol!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Luis Engracia and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Symbol stuffs the takedown.
Rowan is looking to clinch.

Rowan closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rowan lands in his opponent's guard.
Symbol throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Rowan tries to free his leg and advance position but Symbol is retaining full guard.
Rowan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rowan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Symbol looking to control but Rowan passes into half guard.
Symbol wants to get back to full guard.
Symbol keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Symbol tries to get to full guard but Rowan has control of the leg.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Rowan closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rowan lands in his opponent's guard.
Symbol utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Symbol controls Rowan momentarily but Rowan frees himself.
Rowan won't allow Symbol to sweep him here.
Rowan working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rowan throws a big right hand that misses.
Symbol trying to keep a closed guard but Rowan is proving a slippery customer.
Symbol wants to sweep here but Rowan controlling him for the moment.
Rowan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Symbol will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Rowan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rowan preventing the sweep.
Rowan passes Symbol's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rowan is looking to take a break and control but Symbol is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Rowan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Symbol doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rowan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rowan throwing shots but Symbol is blocking nicely.
Symbol tries to roll over but Rowan keeps him under control.
Rowan working over Symbol with some ground and pound. Symbol looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Symbol is trying to maintain the position but Rowan is very close to passing his half guard.
Rowan throwing shots but Symbol is blocking nicely.
Rowan throwing shots but Symbol is blocking nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Horrible takedown by Rowan or perhaps it was just good defense by Symbol which made him look bad.

Rowan scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rowan tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rowan lands a nice forearm strike.
Symbol tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Rowan presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Symbol keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Rowan scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Symbol?
Symbol wants to hold on but Rowan pushes him away.
Symbol is in all sorts of trouble here.
Symbol tries to hold on but Rowan postures up.
A nice elbow there by Rowan.
Rowan scoring with strikes but Symbol is staying in there.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Rowan cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rowan working Symbol over with strikes here.
Symbol is in all sorts of trouble here.
Rowan working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Symbol is rocked!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Symbol is in all sorts of trouble here.
Symbol is still in real trouble! Can Rowan finish him?
Rowan is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Symbol can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Rowan has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Symbol's face.
Rowan postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Symbol badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Rowan around the waist but Rowan pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Rowan is the winner by TKO! Rowan jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Thabiso Rowan!