PBP Commentary

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

VanderPloeg
vs
Rocket

187 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
203 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Merciless Gladiators

xXx Clothing (Nothing Over $20)

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Erwin VanderPloeg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Johnny Rocket!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Paul Tew and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rocket avoids the head kick by VanderPloeg.
VanderPloeg tries to clinch
and Rocket cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
VanderPloeg takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nice defenses there by Rocket.
VanderPloeg gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Johnny Rocket seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rocket walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. VanderPloeg checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
VanderPloeg darts in trying to clinch
and Rocket counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
VanderPloeg has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Complete Fighter Fitness in the buildup to the fight.
VanderPloeg tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - VanderPloeg looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Rocket changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. VanderPloeg looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Check out the look on Rocket's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rocket throws an elbow but VanderPloeg slips to the side and avoids it well.
Rocket has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Laoch Den. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rocket trying to control the action but VanderPloeg is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocket controlling from side mount.
VanderPloeg parries the strikes from Rocket easily there. Rocket is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable VanderPloeg to escape.
Rocket fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Rocket remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Rocket wants to lay and pray for a moment but VanderPloeg keeps working.
Rocket is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocket creates some space and throws a big elbow, but VanderPloeg sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Rocket cracks VanderPloeg with an elbow. That is naaassty.
VanderPloeg dodges the ground and pound from Rocket.
Rocket just content to control the position.
VanderPloeg regains half guard, as Rocket was trying to land strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
VanderPloeg keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rocket content to control rather than advance.
Rocket looks to land a strike but VanderPloeg avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Rocket makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rocket working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rocket content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocket is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rocket throws an elbow that misses. VanderPloeg uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rocket's guard. Nice move by VanderPloeg!
Rocket is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Rocket really doesn't want to stay on the ground with VanderPloeg. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rocket prevents VanderPloeg from standing back up.
Rocket content to control rather than advance.
Rocket slips a nice elbow through VanderPloeg's hands, connecting with VanderPloeg's forehead.

VanderPloeg is rocked!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rocket is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, VanderPloeg is hurt! He's hurt bad - Rocket fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save VanderPloeg from any more punishment! Congratulations to Rocket! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Johnny Rocket!