PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Erick Rootmans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Duke Ellington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rootmans comes to the cage accompanied by Busta Rhymes - Put your hands where my eyes can see. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rootmans
vs
Ellington

190 cm
27
202 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

186 cm
38
195 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

BeastMode

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Erick Rootmans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Duke Ellington!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ellington throws a good cross that connects.
Ellington uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rootmans.
A shot to the liver by Ellington. Beautiful body shot.

Rootmans moves into the clinch.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but Ellington blocks with his arms.

Ellington breaks from the clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Ellington has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Rootmans walks into a left hand.
Rootmans throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ellington scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ellington looks to land a combination but Rootmans avoids it well.
Rootmans avoids the body shot from Ellington.
Ellington swings away with a body shot that misses

and Rootmans counters with a shoot takedown. Ellington fights it but they end up in guard.
Ellington keeping moving, preventing Rootmans from controlling successfully.
Rootmans is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ellington is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rootmans working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rootmans trying to control the position from guard on top but Ellington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rootmans scoring with some ground and pound.
Rootmans is in close to Ellington's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rootmans definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rootmans's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rootmans working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rootmans scoring with some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ellington is pulling down on Rootmans's head to control his posture.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ellington can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rootmans landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ellington wants to sweep but no luck.
Rootmans chips away with some ground and pound.
Rootmans stays in close to Ellington's body and controls the position.
Rootmans trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rootmans throwing strikes but missing.
Rootmans keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ellington's head.
Rootmans has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rootmans chips away with some ground and pound.
Rootmans trying to control the position from guard on top but Ellington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rootmans postures up in Ellington's guard and throws a big left but Ellington blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans is working Ellington over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rootmans won't allow Ellington to sweep him here.
Rootmans postures up and lands a big shot to Ellington's brow.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rootmans accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ellington really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rootmans. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rootmans postures up in Ellington's guard and throws a big left but Ellington blocks it.
Ellington preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Rootmans drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rootmans jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rootmans engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Rootmans working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ellington looking to control.
Ellington striking off his back but it's not causing Rootmans any problems.
Rootmans trying to control the position from guard on top but Ellington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rootmans with a nice head shot there.
Rootmans controlling from the top position.
Rootmans trying to control the position from guard on top but Ellington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rootmans in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Rootmans dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ellington looks to score with a jab to the body but Rootmans is just out of range.
Rootmans misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ellington misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ellington defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rootmans.
Ellington tries to bum rush Rootmans with a series of wild strikes but Rootmans uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ellington throws a shot from downtown. Rootmans moves away and avoids it.
Ellington bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rootmans's head.
Rootmans tries to clinch there but Ellington circles away.
Ellington avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ellington is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rootmans rather than just go for the knockout.
Rootmans misses with a two punch combination.
Ellington pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Rootmans back to the cage. Ellington follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Erick Rootmans has been cut.
Rootmans tries to clinch but Ellington moves out of range.

Rootmans shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
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!
Rootmans trying to control the position from guard on top but Ellington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rootmans throws a big right hand that misses.
Ellington working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rootmans.
Rootmans trying to control but Ellington is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Erick Rootmans.
Rootmans takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rootmans staying out of range there.
Ellington swings for the body but Rootmans moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Rootmans moves into the clinch successfully.
Still in the clinch, Ellington scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rootmans with a knee to the head.

It looks like Duke Ellington has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ellington gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rootmans.
Ellington stalling in the clinch but Rootmans improves position.
Rootmans with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rootmans is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ellington pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erick Rootmans. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ellington takes a knee to the side of the body.
Ellington takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rootmans lands a good knee to the midsection. Ellington won't want to take too many of those.
Rootmans tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rootmans tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rootmans looking to throw knees to the head but Ellington is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellington blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rootmans drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ellington gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ellington pushes off an throws an elbow but Rootmans leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rootmans unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ellington has had enough of the clinch but Rootmans keeps him there for the moment.
Ellington stalling in the clinch but Rootmans improves position.
Ellington is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Ellington tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ellington is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A knee to the head by Rootmans.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but Ellington blocks with his arms.
Rootmans with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Rootmans.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ellington trying to stall but Rootmans improves his position.
Ellington takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rootmans lands a knee to the head.
Ellington trying to stall but Rootmans improves his position.
Rootmans connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ellington's face.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rootmans obliges.
Erick Rootmans has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rootmans throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ellington blocks it with crossed arms.
Ellington prevents a takedown attempt there.

Ellington manages to break the clinch.
Erick Rootmans is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ellington lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Danga de danga de dang - Ellington scores with a four punch combination!

Rootmans manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ellington on his heels. He'll look to pass Ellington's guard now, I'm sure.
Erick Rootmans overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ellington 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Rootmans dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rootmans is looking to slow Ellington down with leg kicks.
Ellington throws the left hand but Rootmans avoids the punch easily.
Ellington lands with a shot to the body.
Rootmans uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ellington.
Rootmans misses with a few strikes there.
Ellington throws a combination that misses
and Rootmans cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Rootmans clinches up against the cage.
Ellington is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ellington is trying to break the clinch but Rootmans has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rootmans.
Ellington stalling in the clinch but Rootmans improves position.
Ellington takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rootmans working Ellington over with knees to the body.
Rootmans putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ellington in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rootmans throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ellington blocks it with crossed arms.
Ellington takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rootmans connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ellington's face.
Rootmans misses with a knee strike.
Ellington looking to stall.
Rootmans with a knee to the head.
Rootmans lands a nice knee to the body.
Rootmans is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ellington can do to turn this around?
Ellington takes a knee right on the jaw!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rootmans tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rootmans misses with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Rootmans.
Ellington managing to block the knees to the body from Rootmans.
Ellington is looking to control Rootmans's arms but Rootmans gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ellington has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ellington seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Rootmans connects with a knee to the head.
Ellington gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rootmans.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Duke Ellington.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ellington.
Rootmans clobbers Ellington with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rootmans tries to clinch up.
Rootmans swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rootmans on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans moves out of range as Ellington strikes.
Rootmans tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ellington paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ellington fails to land with a series of punches.
Duke Ellington seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ellington missing with a left hand there. Rootmans was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ellington misses the body punch
and Rootmans counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ellington works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ellington scores with a shot to the body.
Ellington misses with a combination
and Rootmans counters with a three punch combo that has Ellington backing up. Ellington nods at Rootmans to acknowledge the strikes.
No joy there for Rootmans, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ellington misses with a straight right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rootmans fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ellington uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rootmans takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
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!
Ellington misses with an uppercut.
Ellington throws a right hand that Rootmans ducks under and follows up with a left that Rootmans also avoids with ease.
Ellington takes a swing at Rootmans's ribcage but misses.
Ellington misses with a lunging right hand

and Rootmans counters by moving into the clinch.
Duke Ellington has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rootmans missing with knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rootmans tries to land a knee to the head but Ellington blocks with his arms.
Ellington tries to land a knee to the head but Rootmans blocks with his arms.
Rootmans missing with knees to the body.
Ellington misses with a body punch.
Rootmans lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

And that's the end of the fight!
Erick Rootmans showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rootmans, 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erick Rootmans!
Erick Rootmans spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.