PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Alessio Legionarius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arturo Rojas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rojas has chosen Brother Ali - Uncle Sam Goddamn as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Legionarius
vs
Rojas

185 cm
35
192 lbs
25 - 14 - 0

185 cm
30
193 lbs
21 - 9 - 0

World class MT
Cardio machine

Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alessio Legionarius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Arturo Rojas!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Legionarius finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rojas darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rojas uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rojas lands a jab to the nose.
Legionarius bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rojas's head backwards.
Rojas connects with the punch.
Both fighters circling a little - Legionarius finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A swing and a miss from Rojas.
Rojas throws the left hand but Legionarius avoids the punch easily.
Rojas scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Legionarius throws out a head kick that Rojas doesn't see coming - it connects and sends Rojas crashing to the mat face first! He's bounced up to his knees and is scrambling to get back to his feet and beat the count. He's up on 5 but still looks a bit groggy; will the referee allow it to continue??? He's taking a good look into Rojas's eyes and has decided to let it go on!
The fight stays on the outside here - Rojas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rojas steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Legionarius.
Legionarius tries to clinch there but Rojas circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rojas. Legionarius does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rojas scores with a jab. Legionarius acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Legionarius.
Legionarius throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rojas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legionarius keeps the fight on the outside.
Legionarius lands a jab to the nose.
Rojas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Legionarius moves away.
Legionarius throws a looping overhand right but Rojas ducks down to avoid it.

Rojas moves into the clinch.
Legionarius tries to stall but Rojas uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Legionarius scores with a shot to the side of Rojas's head.

Rojas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rojas digs a good body shot into Legionarius's ribs.
Legionarius wants to clinch up but Rojas keeps it at a distance.
The crowd cheers as Rojas lands an impressive looking overhand right. Legionarius doesn't seem phased though.

Rojas clinches up against the ropes.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Legionarius as Rojas tries to tie him up.
Legionarius lands with a left to the head.
Rojas works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Legionarius tries to work over Rojas's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rojas.
Rojas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rojas tries to work over Legionarius's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Good body shot from Legionarius.
Legionarius lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Legionarius struggles to land a body shot inside as Rojas controls his hands.

Legionarius manages to break the clinch.
Legionarius wants to clinch but Rojas slips to the side
and Rojas counters with a head kick.
Rojas walks into a straight right hand from Legionarius.
Legionarius throws a jab when Rojas was well out of range.
Legionarius tries to clinch but Rojas moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Legionarius.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Legionarius misses with a head kick.
Rojas throws a leg kick that misses.
Rojas takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Legionarius swings for the body but Rojas moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alessio Legionarius should take that round, based on the knockdown.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Legionarius tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rojas ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A punch lands to the side of Legionarius 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rojas moves out of range as Legionarius strikes.
Rojas dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Legionarius. That did some damage!
Legionarius chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rojas fails with an attempt to clinch.
Some bone on bone action there as Rojas checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Legionarius ducks under a wild hook from Rojas.
Alessio Legionarius is winning the standup battle so far.
Legionarius waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rojas.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rojas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Legionarius fails with an attempt to clinch.
Legionarius finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A right handed body shot lands from Legionarius.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legionarius lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Legionarius doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Legionarius goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Rojas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rojas steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Legionarius.
Rojas tries to clinch up but Legionarius circles away and keeps his distance.
Some wild striking there from Rojas.
Rojas connects with a crisp jab.
Legionarius moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rojas misses with a low kick.
Legionarius throws a front kick aimed at Rojas's knee but Rojas avoids it well.
Rojas missing with a left hand there. Legionarius was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A head kick from Rojas lands but Legionarius takes it in his stride.
Legionarius moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Legionarius looks to score with a jab to the body but Rojas is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legionarius ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Legionarius throws a head kick but Rojas moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Legionarius.
Legionarius motions for Rojas to come forward. Legionarius throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Legionarius wants to clinch up but Rojas keeps it at a distance.
Legionarius misses with a straight right.
Nice jab there from Rojas.
Legionarius misses the shot to the body.
Rojas tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Legionarius manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rojas throws a lazy uppercut

and Legionarius counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Legionarius.
Legionarius misses with a hook from the clinch.
Legionarius misses with some punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rojas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Legionarius fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Legionarius is leaning against Rojas and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rojas scores with a nice hook to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Arturo Rojas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rojas throws a leg kick but Legionarius moved away.
Legionarius takes a swing at Rojas's ribcage but misses.
Legionarius uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rojas.
Rojas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Legionarius manages to avoid it.
A good leg kick by Legionarius.
Legionarius is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rojas waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Legionarius.
Legionarius keeps the fight on the outside.
Rojas takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Legionarius takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A big left from Rojas misses.
That kick from Legionarius tenderised Rojas's leg. Rojas is trying to keep his angry face on.
Legionarius tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Legionarius is looking to clinch.
Legionarius tries to clinch there but Rojas circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas throws a combination. Legionarius tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Legionarius drives through and clinches with Rojas against the ropes.
Rojas misses with a punch to the body.
Rojas tries to break free but Legionarius pushes him back against the ropes.
Legionarius throws a punch but it's blocked by Rojas.
Legionarius wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rojas has him pressed against the ropes.
Rojas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rojas blocks a body shot from Legionarius.
Rojas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Legionarius tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Legionarius working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rojas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alessio Legionarius has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rojas tries to throw a body punch but Legionarius avoids it by throwing Rojas back against the ropes.
Rojas works on Legionarius's body with a couple of short punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Legionarius fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rojas is working Legionarius over against the ropes.
Rojas's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legionarius lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Legionarius misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rojas blocks a body shot from Legionarius.
Legionarius blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rojas.
Rojas struggles to land a body shot inside as Legionarius controls his hands.
Legionarius lands a body shot in the clinch.
Rojas is leaning against Legionarius and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rojas tries to work over Legionarius's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Legionarius blocks an uppercut.
Legionarius tries a body shot but Rojas blocks it.
Rojas tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Legionarius's elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rojas pushes Legionarius back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Rojas misses with a punch to the body.
Rojas lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rojas tries a body shot but Legionarius blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Arturo Rojas just about did enough to take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Legionarius scores with a head kick. Rojas tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Rojas has managed to clinch.
Legionarius tries to work over Rojas's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rojas throws a punch but it's blocked by Legionarius.
Legionarius's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rojas lands with a right to the head.
Rojas tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Legionarius's elbow.
Legionarius is working Rojas over against the ropes.
Legionarius lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rojas has a couple of punches blocked by Legionarius.
A right hook to the body lands for Legionarius.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rojas lands a left hand.
Rojas is trying to break the clinch but Legionarius is controlling him.
Rojas stalling in the clinch but Legionarius improves position.
Rojas can't find room to land a body shot as Legionarius controls the action.
Rojas tries to throw a body punch but Legionarius avoids it by throwing Rojas back against the ropes.
Legionarius lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rojas backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas misses with a punch to the body.
Rojas gets through Legionarius's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rojas digs a right hand into Legionarius's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Legionarius's gas tank.

Rojas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Legionarius bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Rojas missing with a left hand there. Legionarius was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Legionarius's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rojas under the eye.
Rojas scores with a jab to the head.
Rojas pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Rojas darts in and clinches Legionarius up against the ropes.
Legionarius lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rojas.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Legionarius struggles to land a body shot inside as Rojas controls his hands.
Legionarius lands with a right to the head.
Rojas stalling the fight.
Legionarius blocks a body shot from Rojas.
Rojas is working Legionarius over against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legionarius lands a nice uppercut.
Rojas tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Legionarius's elbow.
Legionarius lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Legionarius tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rojas's elbow.
Legionarius goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rojas lands with a light punch inside.
Rojas wants to stall.
A right handed body shot lands from Legionarius.
Legionarius makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Legionarius blocks an uppercut.
Rojas blocks an uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rojas lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rojas lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rojas misses with some punches.
Rojas tries to work over Legionarius's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Alessio Legionarius will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rojas has managed to clinch.
Rojas tries a body shot but Legionarius blocks it.
Legionarius prevents a body shot from Rojas.
Legionarius misses with the head strike.
Rojas scores with a hook to the body.
Rojas pushes Legionarius back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Legionarius lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rojas backwards.
Legionarius blocks a body shot from Rojas.
Rojas softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Rojas pushes Legionarius back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rojas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Legionarius looking to slow down the pace here.
Rojas prevents a body shot from Legionarius.
Rojas prevents a body shot from Legionarius.
Rojas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Legionarius struggles to land a body shot inside as Rojas controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legionarius struggles to land a body shot inside as Rojas controls his hands.
Legionarius lands with a right to the head.
Legionarius takes a shot to the head.
Rojas misses with a punch to the body.
Rojas wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rojas pushes Legionarius back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Legionarius tries to throw a body punch but Rojas avoids it by throwing Legionarius back against the ropes.
Rojas struggles to land a body shot inside as Legionarius controls his hands.
Rojas misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Legionarius.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rojas misses with the head strike.
Legionarius pushes Rojas back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rojas prevents a body shot from Legionarius.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legionarius swings wildly with an uppercut but Rojas uses good head movement to avoid it.
A shot in the inside from Rojas.
Rojas struggles to land a body shot inside as Legionarius controls his hands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rojas tries to throw a body punch but Legionarius avoids it by throwing Rojas back against the ropes.
Rojas is struggling to control the position.
Rojas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rojas tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Legionarius misses with a punch to the body.
Legionarius prevents a body shot from Rojas.
Legionarius misses with a shot to the kidneys.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rojas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Legionarius prevents a body shot from Rojas.
Rojas lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rojas tries a body shot but Legionarius blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arturo Rojas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rojas has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 48:46
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 48:47
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alessio Legionarius!
Alessio Legionarius thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Arturo Rojas was interviewed post fight and said 'Through adversity we triumph. Can't know the glory of Success without failure.'.