PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Walter Rothko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rorion Joaquin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rothko
vs
Joaquin

178 cm
29
147 lbs
9 - 14 - 0

179 cm
25
155 lbs
4 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Great elbows
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Walter Rothko !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rorion Joaquin!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Cecil Peabody and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rothko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Joaquin.
Joaquin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rothko as he avoids it easily.
Rothko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Joaquin's waist but Joaquin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rothko off to one side.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rothko .
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rothko .
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Walter Rothko . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rothko closes the distance and clinches up with Joaquin, looking for a takedown. Rothko pushes Joaquin against the cage but Joaquin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rothko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Joaquin as he avoids it easily.
Joaquin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rothko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Joaquin sprawls well. Joaquin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rothko gets slowly back to his feet.
Joaquin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Joaquin wants it to stay on the feet.
Rothko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Joaquin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rothko somewhat.
Rothko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Joaquin circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joaquin stuffs the takedown attempt from Rothko . Rothko gets slowly back to his feet.
Rothko closes the distance and clinches up with Joaquin, looking for a takedown. Rothko pushes Joaquin against the cage but Joaquin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rothko is breathing heavily.
Joaquin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rothko is fending him off so far but Joaquin persists. Nope, Rothko circles away and we're back to standing.
Rothko throws a chopping leg kick but Joaquin manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Joaquin shoots in looking for a takedown. Rothko tries to sprawl out of it but Joaquin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rothko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rothko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Joaquin.

Rothko gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Joaquin to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rothko is trying to keep Joaquin in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joaquin wants to stand but Rothko is controlling his posture from full guard.
Rothko is adopting a defensive guard.
Joaquin wants to stand but Rothko has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Walter Rothko .
Rothko leaves Joaquin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Joaquin tries to land a leg kick but Rothko saw it coming and moves away.
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!
Joaquin darts in looking for a takedown but Rothko gets double underhooks and turns Joaquin into the cage.
Rothko comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Joaquin is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rothko to keep the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joaquin is trying to maintain a safe position but Rothko gets an underhook and turns Joaquin into the cage.
Joaquin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Rothko successfully pulls guard.
Joaquin slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Joaquin postures up.

We're going to have a standup here because Walter Rothko wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Rothko shoots for a double leg takedown but Joaquin sprawls well. He's pushed Rothko 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Some wild striking there from Rothko .
Rothko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Joaquin sprawls well. Joaquin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rothko gets slowly back to his feet.
Rothko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Joaquin is fending him off so far but Rothko persists. Nope, Joaquin circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rothko closes the distance and clinches up with Joaquin, looking for a takedown. Rothko pushes Joaquin against the cage but Joaquin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rothko displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Joaquin.
Joaquin tries for a takedown but Rothko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Joaquin keeps the fight on the outside.
Rothko lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rothko leaves Joaquin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Rothko moves into range and clinches up with Joaquin.

Rothko ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Rothko no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rothko working a defensive guard but Joaquin passes into half guard.
Joaquin is looking to take a break and control but Rothko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rothko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
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 Walter Rothko will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Joaquin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Joaquin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rothko circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Rothko . No joy for Joaquin on that attempt.
Rorion Joaquin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rothko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Joaquin but Joaquin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rothko closes the distance and clinches up with Joaquin, looking for a takedown. Rothko pushes Joaquin against the cage but Joaquin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rothko fails to land with a series of punches.
Joaquin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice sprawl there from Rothko as Joaquin shoots in.
Walter Rothko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rorion Joaquin.
Joaquin tries a head kick but it misses.
Joaquin darts in looking for a takedown but Rothko gets double underhooks and turns Joaquin into the cage.

Rothko has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Joaquin uses from the top position.

Rothko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Joaquin is breathing heavily.
Rothko trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joaquin being controlled here momentarily.
Rothko looking for a sweep. Not yet Rothko , not yet.

Rothko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Joaquin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Joaquin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Rothko is working an open guard so Joaquin takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Rothko misses with a takedown attempt - Joaquin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rothko fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joaquin tries a head kick but it misses.
Rothko dives in and grabs Joaquin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Joaquin pushes down on Rothko 's head and hops out.
Rothko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Joaquin.
Joaquin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Joaquin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Joaquin fails to land the takedown.
Rothko lands a nice shot to the body.

Rothko moves into the clinch successfully.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Joaquin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rothko 's brow.

Rothko successfully pulls guard.
Rothko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joaquin is looking to stand up but Rothko won't let him.
Joaquin trying to control the position from guard on top but Rothko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rothko is looking to stand up but Joaquin isn't so interested in that idea.
Joaquin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rorion Joaquin.

Rothko rushes Joaquin and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rothko has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Joaquin uses from the top position.
Rothko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rothko is trying to keep Joaquin in close.
Rothko wants to sweep but no luck.
Joaquin is stalling in the full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rothko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Joaquin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Joaquin looks for a takedown but Rothko sprawls well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Joaquin is defended easily by Rothko .
Rothko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Joaquin tries to avoid it but Rothko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Joaquin to the ground. Joaquin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Rothko dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Joaquin changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rothko looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rothko sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rothko is trying to control but can't.
Joaquin not doing much here.
Rothko is trying to get back to full guard.
Joaquin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rorion Joaquin.
Joaquin misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Rothko . Those never looked like landing.
Rothko throws a sloppy head kick and Joaquin moves out of range easily.
Joaquin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Joaquin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Joaquin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rothko sprawls well. Rothko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Joaquin gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Joaquin as Rothko shoots in.
Nice sprawl there from Rothko as Joaquin shoots in.
Joaquin looks for a takedown but Rothko sprawls well.
Walter Rothko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rorion Joaquin.

Rothko takes the fight into the clinch.

Rothko pulls guard effortlessly.
Joaquin wants to control from the top but Rothko keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rothko wants to sweep but no luck.
Joaquin is looking to stand up but Rothko won't let him.
Rothko trying to strike off his back.
Rothko tries to strike from the bottom.
Rothko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rothko trying to keep a closed guard but Joaquin is proving a slippery customer.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rothko shoots for a double leg takedown but Joaquin sprawls well. He's pushed Rothko 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Walter Rothko is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rothko shoots in but no luck this time.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Joaquin is defended easily by Rothko .
Joaquin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rothko defends well and Joaquin ends up having to push Rothko into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Rothko jumps into guard, dragging Joaquin to the mat.
Joaquin prevents Rothko from getting back to his feet.
Rothko trying to keep a closed guard but Joaquin is proving a slippery customer.

Joaquin stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Joaquin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rothko as he jumps to the side.
Walter Rothko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rothko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Joaquin tries to avoid it but Rothko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Joaquin to the ground. Joaquin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rothko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Joaquin as he avoids it easily.
Joaquin looks for a takedown but Rothko sprawls well.
Rothko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Joaquin sprawls well. Joaquin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rothko gets slowly back to his feet.
Rothko tries to clinch up but Joaquin circles away and keeps his distance.
Joaquin shoots in but Rothko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rothko !
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Joaquin takes a kick to the side of the head.

Rothko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rorion Joaquin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Walter Rothko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rothko controlling the action here for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Walter Rothko .
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rothko , winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Walter Rothko !