PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ara Givi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Robertson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Givi
vs
Robertson

225 cm
28
300 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

225 cm
26
300 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ara Givi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Robert Robertson!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Ben Watson and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Givi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Robertson throws a series of punches but Givi moves out of range.

Givi gets a double leg takedown into Robertson's guard.
Givi trying to control but Robertson is working from the bottom.
Givi postures up in Robertson's guard and throws a big left but Robertson blocks it.
Robertson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Givi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Givi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Robertson told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Robertson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robertson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Givi is proving hard to escape from.
Givi is trying to keep Robertson in close.

Givi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Givi looking for a guillotine here but Robertson defends easily.
Robertson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Givi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Robertson defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Robertson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Givi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Robertson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Givi throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Givi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Robertson defends it easily.
Givi trying to control the position.
Givi has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Robertson has passed into side control.
Robertson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Robertson tries to advance to mount but Givi denies him.
Robertson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Givi is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Robertson off and has taken his back!

Robertson is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Givi missing with strikes.
Robertson is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Givi off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Robertson preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Givi.
Givi punishes Robertson with strikes from the back mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ara Givi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Robertson swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Givi counters with a series of strikes. Robertson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Robertson just misses with a punch to the body.
Givi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Givi fails with the takedown.
Givi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Robertson circles away.
Robertson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Givi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Robertson sprawls and moves away.
Robertson throws a body punch but Givi moves out of range.
Robertson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Givi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Robertson defends well and Givi ends up having to push Robertson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ara Givi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Robertson throws out a powerful jab.
Robertson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Robertson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Ara Givi has been cut.
Nice takedown defense from Robertson. No joy for Givi on that attempt.

Givi closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Givi.
Givi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Robertson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Givi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Robertson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Robertson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Givi seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Robertson has managed to clinch.
Robertson misses with the head strike.
Robertson prevents the takedown attempt.
Givi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Givi is looking for a takedown.

Robertson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Robertson.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
No joy there for Robertson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Givi tries to clinch up.
Robertson lands a jab to Givi's midsection.
Robertson just misses with a punch to the body.
Givi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Robertson defends it nicely.
Givi shoots in for a takedown but Robertson shows good takedown defense.
Robertson throws a leg kick which misses Givi's front leg but catches the back leg as Givi tries to avoid it.
Robertson cracks the inside of Givi's front leg.
Robert Robertson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
No luck for Givi with that takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Robertson. Givi does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robertson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Givi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Givi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A looping hook to the body misses from Robertson. Givi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Robertson throws a low kick, looking for Givi's leg but Givi calmly moves out of range.
Robertson connects with a solid leg kick.
Robertson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Givi avoids the body shot from Robertson.
Givi attempts a counter takedown but Robertson avoids it well and moves away.
Robertson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ara Givi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Givi is looking to clinch.
Robertson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Givi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Robertson as he jumps to the side.
Givi checks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Robertson lands with a slapping head kick.
Givi shoots in for a double leg but Robertson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Givi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Robertson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Robertson takes a swing at Givi's ribcage but misses.
Givi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Robertson circles away.
Givi avoids the head kick by Robertson.
Robertson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Givi moves away.
Robertson thuds a left hand into Givi's body.
Givi avoids the body shot from Robertson.
Givi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Robertson throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Robertson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ara Givi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Robertson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Givi's head.
Robertson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Robertson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Givi rather than just go for the knockout.
Robertson throws a shot to the body.
Robertson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Givi.
Robertson throws a head kick that misses.
Givi tries to clinch but Robertson moves out of range.
Givi avoids the head kick by Robertson.
Robertson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Givi is looking for a counter combo.
No joy there for Robertson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Givi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Robertson misses with the combination.
Givi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Robertson avoids it really well and circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robertson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Givi tries for a takedown but Robertson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ara Givi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Robertson lands with a nice combination. Givi backs away looking to recover.
Givi misses with a takedown attempt - Robertson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Givi misses with a wild body shot.
Givi tries for a takedown but Robertson circles away easily
and Robertson counters with an outside leg kick.
Robert Robertson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Givi takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Robertson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Givi eats them both and turns towards Robertson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Robertson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Robertson throws a one two combo.
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!
Robertson throws a sloppy head kick and Givi moves out of range easily.
Robertson jabs Givi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Robertson throws a body punch but Givi moves out of range.
Robertson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Robertson scores with a head kick.

Givi is rocked!
Robertson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Robertson lands a slapping body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Robertson as Givi shoots in.
Robertson is looking to slow Givi down with leg kicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Robertson. Givi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Robertson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Robertson is predictable there

and Givi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Robertson's guard.
Givi wants to control from the top but Robertson keeps moving.
Robertson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Givi throwing strikes but missing.
Robertson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Givi drops back, looking for a kneebar! Robertson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Robertson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Robertson!

Givi is trying to work for a sweep but Robertson has mounted him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Robertson with a couple of short strikes.
Givi tries to hold on but Robertson postures up.
Robertson trying to control but Givi is having none of it.
Givi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Robertson lands a big shot there that rocks Givi but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Robertson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Robertson 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Robertson!
Robert Robertson took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'It really wasn't a fair fight. I am awesome and he just sucks.'.