PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pluto Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Rocker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Palhares kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is TOQUINHO. Rocker has chosen Ki:Theory - Stand By Me as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Palhares
vs
Rocker

181 cm
37
171 lbs
45 - 11 - 1

180 cm
31
175 lbs
21 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Reaper Combatwear
Conviction

Bullet Proof System
Modern Wear Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 45 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pluto Palhares!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ricky Rocker!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Rocker.
Rocker checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Rocker is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Palhares throws a body punch but Rocker moves out of range.
Rocker looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Rocker steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Palhares.
A jab from Rocker finds it's way through Palhares's defenses.
A low kick from Palhares is predictable there
and Rocker counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Rocker displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Palhares.
Palhares misses with a hook. Rocker ducked under it nicely.
Rocker checks the leg kick nicely there.
Palhares misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rocker.
Palhares cracks Rocker with a good jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab, jab by Rocker - just one landing.
A jab from Rocker does it's job there.
Palhares moves out of range as Rocker strikes.
Rocker lands with a slapping head kick.
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!
Palhares ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Palhares swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rocker. That's going to slow Palhares down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocker throws a leg kick but Palhares moved away.
Palhares takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Palhares misses with a head kick.
Palhares walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Rocker 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.
Rocker looks to throw the jab but Palhares is out of range.
Palhares swings for the body but Rocker moves out of range.
Palhares fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rocker checks it well.
Palhares seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Rocker misses with a wild body shot.
Rocker fails to land with a series of punches.
Palhares tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rocker was well out of range. Poor timing from Palhares.
Palhares misses with an uppercut. Rocker saw that one coming.
Palhares swings for the body but Rocker moves out of range.
Rocker moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Palhares.
Rocker drops his hands momentarily and Palhares takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rocker scores with a push kick.
Palhares cracks Rocker with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A chopping leg kick lands by Palhares.
Palhares throws a leg kick that misses.
Rocker fakes the leg kick and cracks Palhares in the body.
Rocker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rocker lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rocker throws a hook but Palhares avoids it easily.
Rocker throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rocker tries to bum rush Palhares with a series of wild strikes but Palhares uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Palhares misses with an attempted mid kick.
Palhares throws the left hand but Rocker avoids the punch easily.
Rocker scoring well with a low kick there.
Rocker ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rocker takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rocker tries a head kick but it misses.
Rocker blocks a low kick nicely.
Rocker connects with a right hand. Palhares shakes it off.
Rocker lands with a nice body punch.
Rocker lands a lovely overhand right.
Rocker tries to bum rush Palhares with a series of wild strikes but Palhares uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Palhares takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Palhares ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rocker moves away.
Palhares misses the jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rocker! But no joy.

Rocker shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Palhares's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rocker trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Palhares manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Palhares scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares trying to control the position from guard on top but Rocker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rocker has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Palhares can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Palhares postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Palhares wants to pass the guard but Rocker is keeping the position.
Palhares trying to control but Rocker is working from the bottom.
Palhares is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rocker is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Rocker dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rocker keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Palhares throws a shot from downtown. Rocker moves away and avoids it.
Palhares fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rocker is out of range.
Rocker misses with a low kick as Palhares jumps back.
Jab, jab by Rocker - just one landing.
Ricky Rocker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Palhares throws a solid leg kick but Rocker takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Palhares.
Rocker doesn't manage to clinch there - Palhares circles away.
Palhares keeps the fight on the outside.
Palhares shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rocker defending well as Palhares loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palhares lands a leg kick that knocks Rocker off balance momentarily.
Palhares keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rocker takes a swing at Palhares's ribcage but misses.
Rocker throws out a loose jab but Palhares uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rocker lands a nice leg kick that just misses Palhares's sensitive parts.
Palhares throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocker throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Palhares. Rocker does a little dance to reset his feet.
Palhares lands with a nice body kick.
Rocker checks a leg kick.
Palhares misses with a low kick.
Palhares takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Palhares throws a chopping leg kick but Rocker manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Palhares wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rocker moves out of range of the body kick from Palhares.
Palhares throws a head kick that misses
and Rocker counters with a good low kick that Palhares was not able to check.
Rocker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Palhares moves away.
Palhares misses with a body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Palhares. Rocker does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Rocker misses the target.
Rocker lands a nice shot that snaps Palhares's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Palhares throws a jab when Rocker was well out of range.
Palhares takes a swing at Rocker's ribcage but misses.
Palhares swats away the attempt to clinch by Rocker.
Palhares tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rocker! But no joy.
Rocker scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palhares bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A quick step to the side and Palhares tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rocker throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Good leg kick by Rocker there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Palhares throws a hook but Rocker avoids it easily.
Rocker has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Palhares.
Rocker scores with a nice right hand.
Palhares throws a body shot but no joy.

Rocker shoots in and gets a takedown into Palhares's guard.
Rocker postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares looking to control but Rocker passes into half guard.
Palhares wants to get back to full guard.
Rocker not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rocker is thwarting Palhares's attempts to control the position.
Palhares is positioning himself well to prevent Rocker advancing to mount.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rocker connects with a nice short shot to Palhares's temple.
Rocker wants to take a breather but Palhares is having none of it.

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.
Rocker looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rocker is trying to control. Palhares wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rocker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Palhares is looking to improve his position.
Palhares gets back to full guard.
Rocker passes Palhares's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Palhares slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Palhares is controlling Rocker's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Rocker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Palhares fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Palhares throws a wild body kick that Rocker sees coming a mile off.
Rocker throws an overhand right that lands on Palhares's shoulder, as Palhares tries to avoid the shot.
Rocker lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Palhares, as that shot connected.
Palhares shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Palhares slips under a jab.
Rocker jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rocker throws a leg kick but Palhares sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rocker misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palhares misses with a low kick as Rocker jumps back.
The crowd cheers as Palhares lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rocker doesn't seem phased though.
Rocker lands a leg kick that knocks Palhares off balance momentarily.
Rocker connects with a single shot there.
Rocker swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocker works the jab nicely.

Rocker looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Palhares!
Palhares is trying to get back to half guard.
Rocker throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Rocker in side control, throwing shots but Palhares defends.
Palhares is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rocker trying to control the position but Palhares is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocker 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.
Palhares is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Rocker is looking to take a break and control but Palhares is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Palhares on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rocker wants to lay and pray for a moment but Palhares keeps working.
Palhares makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Palhares.
Ricky Rocker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rocker is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocker trying to control but Palhares is working from the bottom.
Palhares bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rocker's guard.

Palhares looking to sit in guard and control but Rocker gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Palhares trying to control the position here.
Palhares wants to hit a switch here but Rocker passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Palhares there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocker trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Palhares is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Palhares is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rocker is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Palhares is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Rocker really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rocker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Palhares sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rocker checks the leg kick.
Palhares lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rocker's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Rocker throws the left hand but Palhares avoids the punch easily.
Palhares throws a low kick, looking for Rocker's leg but Rocker calmly moves out of range.
Rocker works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Crunch! Palhares slams his shin into Rocker's torso.
Rocker connects with a body shot that sends Palhares's belly button to the back.

Rocker scores with a takedown into Palhares's guard.
Rocker throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Palhares wants to control the position but Rocker says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares trying to control from the bottom.
Rocker trying to control from half guard but Palhares is working away.
Palhares is trying to control but can't.

Rocker looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Rocker trying to advance position but Palhares counters by regaining guard.

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.
Rocker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Palhares is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rocker looking to pass the guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rocker lands with an uppercut that bounces Palhares off the cage and back into range.
Palhares jabs at Rocker's body.
Rocker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Palhares. That's going to slow Rocker down.
A swing and a miss from Palhares.
Rocker ducks under a wild hook from Palhares.
Palhares takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Palhares keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rocker moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rocker throws the left hand but Palhares avoids the punch easily.
Rocker scores with a jab.
Palhares moves out of range of the body kick.
Rocker throws the left hand but Palhares avoids the punch easily.
Rocker displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Palhares throws out the jab.
Rocker throws out a counter right but Palhares avoids it with no problem.
Rocker throws a lazy right hand but Palhares sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rocker.
A bone on bone clash there as Palhares blocks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocker slips under a jab.
Palhares misses with a body kick.
Rocker on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Palhares takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palhares tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rocker lands with an uppercut that bounces Palhares off the cage and back into range.
Rocker fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Palhares looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Palhares tries to land a front kick but Rocker steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A big right from Rocker misses.
Nice body kick from Rocker.
Palhares throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Palhares feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rocker's calf.
Palhares cracks Rocker with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Palhares will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A big left from Rocker misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Rocker dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rocker with a jab.
Rocker throws out a leg kick but Palhares moves out of range and Rocker only half commits.
Palhares has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rocker.
Rocker misses with a kick to the body
letting Palhares counter with a right hand.
Palhares scores with a leg kick.
That kick from Palhares tenderised Rocker's leg. Rocker is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rocker tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rocker throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rocker throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Rocker there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palhares throws the left hand but Rocker avoids the punch easily.
Palhares throws a front kick that sends Rocker stumbling back into the cage.
Palhares connects with a solid leg kick.
Rocker moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Rocker comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ricky Rocker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocker throws a jab but it's blocked by Palhares.
Palhares takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rocker throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Palhares looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rocker misses with a hook
and Palhares counters with an outside leg kick.
Rocker throws a body punch but Palhares moves out of range.
Palhares walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Palhares tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rocker was well out of range. Poor timing from Palhares.
Palhares dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rocker. That did some damage!
Rocker jabs at Palhares's body.
Palhares shoots for a double leg takedown but Rocker sprawls well. He's pushed Palhares's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Palhares slips a jab from Rocker.
As Rocker backs away, Palhares returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Rocker slips under a jab.
Rocker misses with an uppercut. Palhares saw that one coming.
Rocker tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Pluto Palhares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocker moves into range and connects with a jab.
Palhares blocks a head kick by Rocker.
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!
Palhares moves away from the strike by Rocker.
Palhares darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rocker throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
An inside leg kick lands from Rocker.
Palhares cracks the inside of Rocker's front leg.
Rocker finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A swing and a miss from Rocker.
Rocker scoring well with a low kick there.
Palhares slips a straight right by Rocker.
Palhares is looking to counter punch.
Palhares scores with a kick to the body.
Rocker is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Palhares throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Palhares throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Palhares throws out a powerful jab.

Rocker shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Palhares's guard.
Rocker wants to pass the guard but Palhares is keeping the position.

Palhares is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rocker is aware though and is defending well.

Palhares throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rocker is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares is pulling down on Rocker's head to control his posture.

Palhares had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rocker defends it easily.
Palhares trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Rocker lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rocker controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Rocker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rocker has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 45:50
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 45:50
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Rocker! Ricky Rocker retains his welterweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Ricky Rocker thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.