PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Riaq Rowanda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Walt Harris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Riaq Rowanda has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Rowanda
vs
Harris

170 cm
19
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

155 cm
25
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Riaq Rowanda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Walt Harris!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Daniel Blasius and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Harris fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rowanda to the ground. Harris is now in Rowanda's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harris missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rowanda is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rowanda is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Harris is aware though and is defending well.
Harris throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rowanda will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Rowanda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Harris defends well.
Harris postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Harris trying to control the position from guard on top but Rowanda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rowanda is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Harris postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harris postures up and lands a big shot to Rowanda's brow.
Harris throwing strikes but missing.
Harris lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Harris prevents Rowanda from getting back to his feet.
Harris is stalling in the full guard.
Harris throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Harris makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rowanda working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harris.
Rowanda controlling the position.
Rowanda is trying to control the position but Harris postures up.
Harris looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Harris scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rowanda looking for a sweep. Not yet Rowanda, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harris throws a big elbow that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Harris cracks Rowanda with a solid left hand.
Harris stopping the sweep attempt from Rowanda.
Harris throws a big elbow that misses.
Harris postures up and lands a big shot to Rowanda's brow.
Harris working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rowanda keeping moving, preventing Harris from controlling successfully.

Harris avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Harris content to stall in guard here.
Harris postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rowanda is looking to stand up but Harris isn't so interested in that idea.
Rowanda is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Harris postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rowanda keeping moving, preventing Harris from controlling successfully.
Harris pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rowanda is keeping the position for now.
Rowanda can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Harris controls the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rowanda is looking to clinch.
Rowanda looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harris looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Harris.
Harris swats away the attempt to clinch by Rowanda.
Rowanda wants to clinch up but Harris keeps it at a distance.
Rowanda shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Harris eats them both and turns towards Rowanda to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Rowanda moves out of range of the body kick from Harris.
Rowanda moves in looking to clinch but Harris pushes him off.

Harris fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rowanda to the ground. Harris is now in Rowanda's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Harris got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rowanda has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Harris has managed to get both his arms back between Rowanda's legs - danger averted.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harris working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Harris throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Rowanda is looking to cinch up a triangle. Harris throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Rowanda's body to avoid the submission. Rowanda has instead reached around Harris's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Rowanda arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Riaq Rowanda!