PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Roode (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lex Vanhorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vanhorn comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Cult of Personality kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Roode
vs
Vanhorn

191 cm
27
218 lbs
14 - 15 - 0

193 cm
29
265 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

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 14 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bobby Roode!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lex Vanhorn!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Skip Squint and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roode moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

It looks like Bobby Roode has been cut.

Vanhorn shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Roode's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Vanhorn slips nicely into half guard.
Roode is looking to improve his position.
Vanhorn content to control rather than advance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Roode is trying to maintain the position but Vanhorn is very close to passing his half guard.
Vanhorn is nestled in close to Roode, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Roode is looking for a sweep. Vanhorn is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Vanhorn is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Roode is just riding it out for now. Vanhorn eventually gives up the hold.
Vanhorn tries to pass to full mount but Roode defends it.

Vanhorn is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Roode sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roode misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Vanhorn prevents Roode from improving his position.

Vanhorn decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Roode gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Vanhorn to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Roode wants to sweep here but Vanhorn controlling him for the moment.

Vanhorn got a little sloppy there for a moment and Roode has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vanhorn has managed to get both his arms back between Roode's legs - danger averted.
Vanhorn advances position into side control!
Roode tries to improve position but can't.

Vanhorn is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Roode knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vanhorn working the body and head with strikes.

Vanhorn stands up.

Vanhorn looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Roode is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vanhorn pulls his head out easily.
Vanhorn seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Vanhorn is controlling the pace.
Vanhorn wants to pass to mount but Roode is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roode is looking for a sweep. Vanhorn is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Vanhorn slows the pace down in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Lex Vanhorn was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Vanhorn lands with a cross.

Vanhorn gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Vanhorn pulls guard effortlessly.
Roode slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Roode wants to control but Vanhorn is keeping him busy.

Roode goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Vanhorn has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Roode but great work by Vanhorn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vanhorn works to advance to full mount. Roode defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Vanhorn landing strikes, looking to finish!

Vanhorn wants to finish this one by submission but Roode is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Vanhorn.
Roode in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Vanhorn controlling from the full mount.
Vanhorn lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Vanhorn breaks from Roode's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Roode is bucking up trying to escape but Vanhorn cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Roode is rocked!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vanhorn lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Roode hang on?
Oh Roode is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Roode can't escape the position.
Vanhorn drops a big elbow. That's hurt Roode! More shots from Vanhorn and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lex Vanhorn!
Our winner, Lex Vanhorn, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.