PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Juan Gonzalez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dante Gael Roman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gonzalez
vs
Gael Roman

170 cm
35
150 lbs
7 - 24 - 0

183 cm
29
130 lbs
11 - 13 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Juan Gonzalez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dante Gael Roman!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gonzalez gets the takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gonzalez tries for a kimura but Roman is defending well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Roman can do anything to dispel that myth.

Gonzalez is trying to get an arm triangle but Roman is defending well.
Roman tries to buck Gonzalez off but Gonzalez is having none of it.

Gonzalez tries for a kimura but Roman is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An elbow from Gonzalez crashes against the mat.
Gonzalez tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gonzalez thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Roman is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gonzalez trying to control the action but Roman is working from the bottom.

Gonzalez stands up and beckons Roman to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Gonzalez manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Roman on his heels. He'll look to pass Roman's guard now, I'm sure.
Roman is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Gonzalez decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Gonzalez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gonzalez lands in his opponent's guard.

Gonzalez gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Roman throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Gonzalez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gonzalez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Roman defends it well.
Gonzalez is thwarting Roman's attempts to control the position.

Gonzalez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Gonzalez is trying to control the action in half guard but Roman is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gonzalez is taking a breather. Roman says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Gonzalez is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Roman is looking for a sweep. Gonzalez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Gonzalez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Gonzalez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Roman wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Gonzalez dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A big left from Roman misses.
Roman scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gonzalez doesn't seem bothered though.
Roman misses with the combination.
Roman just misses with a punch to the body.
We've been told by Gonzalez's head coaches at Main Event Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Roman gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gonzalez to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Roman keeping moving, preventing Gonzalez from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gonzalez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Roman is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Gonzalez stands and steps away. Roman gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Gonzalez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Roman can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzalez on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Roman ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice straight punches there by Roman. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Roman.
Roman throws a jab but it's blocked by Gonzalez.

Roman gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gonzalez to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Gonzalez has gone for a leg lock! Roman slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gonzalez's guard.

Roman postures up and lands a big shot to Gonzalez's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez looking for a sweep. Not yet Gonzalez, not yet.

Gonzalez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Roman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gonzalez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gonzalez wants to stand and escape but Roman is having none of it.
Gonzalez keeping moving, preventing Roman from controlling successfully.
Roman is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Gonzalez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Gonzalez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Roman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gonzalez is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roman with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Gonzalez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Roman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Roman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gonzalez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Roman seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Gonzalez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Roman landing some decent shots from guard.

Gonzalez looking for a guillotine here but Roman defends easily.
Gonzalez wants to stand and escape but Roman is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Roman pushes down on Gonzalez's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Roman lands a nice short elbow.
Roman wants to take a breather but Gonzalez is having none of it.
Gonzalez pushes Roman off looking to stand but Roman dives back in and keeps control.

Roman seems to be working for a kimura but Gonzalez defends the submission attempt.
Roman landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gonzalez is looking to improve his position.
Roman wants to pass the guard but Gonzalez is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gonzalez is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Roman's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Roman's back!
Roman is really stuck here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Gael Roman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Roman feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gonzalezs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Gonzalez staying out of range there.
Gonzalez drops down looking for a counter takedown but Roman sprawls and moves away.

Gonzalez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Roman to the mat! Roman manages to get full guard.
Gonzalez trying to control the position from guard on top but Roman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Roman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Gonzalez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Roman is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Roman has escaped and now he's on top!

Roman throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gonzalez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Roman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Roman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roman stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Roman throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Roman connects with a right hand. Gonzalez shakes it off.

Gonzalez looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Roman!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gonzalez is looking to take a break and control but Roman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gonzalez working away.
Roman defending against the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roman is looking for a sweep.

Gonzalez goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Roman has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gonzalez but great work by Roman.
Roman in side control lands a decent elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Roman has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Gonzalez!
Gonzalez is wriggling around trying to escape.
Roman lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Roman lands a couple of good shots and Gonzalez has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Gonzalez trying to get back to his feet but Roman is in full control for now.
Gonzalez is keeping busy.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Roman. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

Gonzalez is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Gonzalez wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roman tries to keep control of the position but Gonzalez is staying busy.
Roman is hanging on to Gonzalez's back as he tries to escape.
Roman lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Gonzalez.
Gonzalez is trying to stand back up.
Can Gonzalez hold on?! Roman is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

Roman looking for the RNC.
You can see the frustration on Gonzalez's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Gonzalez is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Roman is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Gonzalez has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Roman lands strikes to the head.

Gonzalez is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Roman steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gonzalez.
Roman is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Gonzalez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Roman tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gonzalez is in Roman's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Roman looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Roman controls Gonzalez momentarily but Gonzalez frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Gael Roman really 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.

Roman misses with a looping right.
Gonzalez throws a big counter combination but Roman scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Gonzalez misses with a head kick.

Gonzalez gets a takedown into half guard.
Gonzalez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gonzalez is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gonzalez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gonzalez wants to control but Roman is keeping him busy.

Roman looking for submissions off his back.
Gonzalez is trying to control. Roman wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Roman misses with a wild body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Gonzalez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Dante Gael Roman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Roman scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Roman enables Gonzalez to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Roman manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Gonzalez is looking to work some ground and pound but Roman has wrist control.
Gonzalez trying to control the position from guard on top but Roman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Roman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez wants to stand but Roman is controlling his posture from full guard.

Roman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Roman keeping moving, preventing Gonzalez from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Roman is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gonzalez is aware though and is defending well.
Gonzalez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gonzalez tries to move into range but Roman moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Gonzalez looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Gonzalez is trying to control the action in half guard but Roman is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gonzalez is really struggling to control Roman but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Roman trying to hold on to Gonzalez's head to control him but Gonzalez postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gonzalez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Roman sees it coming and defends easily.

Roman has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Gonzalez. Oh but Roman has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Gonzalez goes limp - he's gone! Roman jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:49 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Dante Gael Roman!
An out of breath Dante Gael Roman thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.