PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Walter Rothko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and bj Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rothko
vs
Ferguson

178 cm
31
147 lbs
10 - 17 - 0

164 cm
36
135 lbs
34 - 19 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Great elbows
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Just Fight (Everything 7$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 17 - 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 34 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, bj Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Frank Dennis and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rothko fails with the takedown
and Ferguson makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Rothko really felt that one!
Rothko tries for a takedown but Ferguson circles away easily
and Ferguson counters with a series of strikes. Rothko will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rothko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ferguson counters with a single leg into guard. Rothko didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Walter Rothko . That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Rothko wants to sweep but no luck.
Ferguson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rothko swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Ferguson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rothko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ferguson has managed to get both his arms back between Rothko 's legs - danger averted.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ferguson looking to pass the guard.
Rothko is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ferguson is looking for a sweep. Rothko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Rothko keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Rothko trying to stall but Ferguson improves his position.
Rothko can't break the clinch.
Ferguson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rothko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rothko wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ferguson has him pressed against the cage.
Rothko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ferguson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rothko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ferguson is looking to take this one to the mat.

Ferguson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Ferguson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rothko is keeping the position for now.

Rothko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ferguson wants to pass the guard but Rothko is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rothko trying to control the position.
Ferguson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ferguson connects with a couple of short punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferguson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rothko is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ferguson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Rothko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rothko .
Ferguson is pushing down on Rothko 's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rothko is fighting to maintain full guard but Ferguson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rothko won't allow Ferguson to pass to mount.
Rothko is looking to control Ferguson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rothko avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson wants to pass to mount but Rothko is defending the position.
Rothko is in trouble now - Ferguson has advanced to mount!
Ferguson working the ground and pound effectively.
Ferguson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ferguson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Ferguson landing strikes from the mount.
Ferguson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ferguson raining down shots from the mount!

Rothko is rocked!
Rothko manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Oh Rothko is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Rothko seems to have got his legs back now.
Rothko tries to kick Ferguson off but Ferguson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Rothko gets full guard.
Rothko can't keep his opponent in guard - Ferguson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ferguson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rothko knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ferguson trying to advance position but Rothko counters by regaining guard.
Ferguson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rothko wants to get back to his feet but Ferguson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rothko is trying to keep Ferguson in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rothko misses with a takedown
and Ferguson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ferguson lands a nice looking body kick.
Rothko falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ferguson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rothko is looking to clinch.
Rothko looks for a takedown but Ferguson sprawls well.

Rothko clinches up against the cage.
Ferguson has Rothko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rothko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ferguson can't get the takedown.
Stalling in the clinch from Ferguson.
Rothko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ferguson just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Walter Rothko . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rothko stops a takedown attempt from Ferguson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson has Rothko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rothko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ferguson is working for takedown but Rothko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rothko tries to pull guard but Ferguson won't allow it.
Rothko unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Rothko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Ferguson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Rothko regains guard.
Ferguson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ferguson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ferguson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Rothko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rothko keeping full guard, as Ferguson tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ferguson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ferguson trying to move into half guard but instead Rothko has managed to sweep!
Rothko trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
Rothko won't allow Ferguson to get back to his feet.
Ferguson keeping moving, preventing Rothko from controlling successfully.

Ferguson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rothko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
bj Ferguson has got the better of the ground game so far.

Ferguson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rothko wants to stand but Ferguson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson keeping moving, preventing Rothko from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ferguson can do anything to dispel that myth.

Ferguson has his foot on Rothko 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rothko works his way back into a safe position though.
Ferguson keeping moving, preventing Rothko from controlling successfully.
Ferguson striking off his back but it's not causing Rothko any problems.

Rothko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ferguson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rothko . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Ferguson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rothko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Rothko drops back looking for a leg! Ferguson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ferguson manages to kick Rothko off! Rothko jumps back into Ferguson's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Rothko has passed into half guard!
Ferguson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Rothko wants to take a breather but Ferguson is having none of it.
Rothko is really struggling to control Ferguson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson works his way to full guard. Good work.

Ferguson is looking for a triangle but Rothko pushes his legs off easily.
Rothko is pushing down on Ferguson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ferguson is fighting to maintain full guard but Rothko has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

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

Ferguson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Ferguson tries to free his leg and advance position but Rothko is retaining full guard.
Ferguson preventing the sweep.
Ferguson is looking to pass into half guard but Rothko pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Rothko is in guard.

Ferguson is looking for a triangle but Rothko pushes his legs off easily.
Rothko trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ferguson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Ferguson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rothko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rothko trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson has his feet on Rothko 's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Ferguson throws a head kick that misses.

Ferguson scores with a takedown into Rothko 's guard.
Ferguson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rothko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ferguson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ferguson with a nice head shot there.
Rothko keeping full guard, as Ferguson tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rothko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ferguson is aware though and is defending well.
Ferguson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rothko manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rothko blocks Ferguson's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Ferguson is looking to get to half guard.
You get the feeling that Ferguson really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Rothko can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ferguson is looking to escape.
Ferguson is arching his back trying to strike from the bottom but Rothko turns him over and now has his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is keeping busy.
Rothko is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ferguson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Ferguson rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Rothko is looking for a kimura but Ferguson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rothko to get the leverage.
Rothko trying to control the action but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
Ferguson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Ferguson missing with punches from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Rothko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ferguson keeps working.
Rothko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rothko will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rothko is trying to control. Ferguson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rothko is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Ferguson looking for submissions off his back.

Ferguson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson punching from the bottom.
Walter Rothko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
bj Ferguson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Ferguson actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
bj Ferguson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ferguson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... bj Ferguson!
In his post fight interview, bj Ferguson gave a big smile as he said 'I keep putting these good guys away. I'm 34 boys. wheres ethan harris at?'.