PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richard Booth (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roman Reigns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reigns is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Sail by AWOLNATION . Roman Reigns will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Booth
vs
Reigns

173 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

195 cm
20
256 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Richard Booth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roman Reigns!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reigns tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Reigns moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Richard Booth has been cut.
Reigns shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Booth as he jumps to the side.
Reigns throws a lazy head kick

and Booth counters by clinching up.
Booth drops down looking for an ankle pick but Reigns pulls his leg out and moves away.

Reigns darts in and clinches Booth up against the cage.

Booth manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reigns drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Booth dives on top into guard.

Booth postures up and lands a big shot to Reigns's brow.
Booth wanted to stand there but Reigns had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Booth is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reigns is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Booth content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Booth stands up and waves to Reigns to follow him.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Reigns.

Reigns clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reigns escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Booth could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Booth gets a clinch.

Booth pulls guard effortlessly.
Booth trying to control the position here.
Reigns trying to control but Booth is working from the bottom.
Booth seems keen to control Reigns's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reigns wants to control from the top but Booth keeps moving.
Reigns wants to stand but Booth has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Reigns trying to control but Booth is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Booth doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Reigns drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Booth takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Reigns is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Booth knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Booth struggling a bit here.
Reigns creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Booth sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Booth is not content to let Reigns control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Reigns dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Richard Booth's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Booth has taken the fight to the clinch.

Reigns ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Reigns no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Booth wants to control from the top but Reigns keeps moving.
Booth working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Reigns tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reigns is working an open guard so Booth takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Reigns looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Booth tries to clinch
and Reigns counters with a left and a right that stings Booth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reigns gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Booth counters with a shoot takedown. Reigns fights it but they end up in guard.
Reigns is breathing heavily.
Booth with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Booth is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Booth wants to stand but Reigns has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Booth stands and steps away. Reigns gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Reigns gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Reigns looking to stall.

Booth pulls guard successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Booth is adopting a defensive guard.
Reigns has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Booth is proving hard to escape from.
Booth has control of Reigns's left arm, preventing Reigns from doing any damage.

Booth has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Reigns has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Booth avoiding damage as Reigns throws knees to the body.

Booth manages to pull guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Booth wants to get back to his feet but Reigns is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reigns would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Booth lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Reigns is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Booth gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Reigns closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Booth manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Booth wants to sweep but no luck.
Booth pulls Reigns in to control the position.
Booth wants to stand up but Reigns is controlling him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Booth looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Booth dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Richard Booth's cut.
That's time! Booth's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Booth forces Reigns back against the cage and clinches.
Booth jumps guard but Reigns turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Reigns can't break the clinch.

Reigns pulls Booth into guard.
Booth postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Reigns avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Reigns had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Booth defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Booth chips away with some ground and pound.
Booth sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Booth got a little sloppy there for a moment and Reigns has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Booth has managed to get both his arms back between Reigns's legs - danger averted.
Reigns takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Booth decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Richard Booth is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Reigns doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Booth counters by moving into the clinch.
Reigns is trying to stall.

Reigns breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Booth avoids the head kick by Reigns.

Reigns closes the distance and pushes Booth back into the cage.

Booth jumps into guard, dragging Reigns to the mat.
Reigns throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Booth trying to control the position here.
Reigns preventing the sweep.
Reigns prevents Booth from getting back to his feet.
Reigns won't allow Booth to sweep him here.
Booth is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reigns makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Reigns swats away the attempt to clinch by Booth.

Reigns closes the distance and pushes Booth back into the cage.
Booth wants a takedown.
Reigns wants to break the clinch but can't.

Booth manages to pull guard.
Reigns won't allow Booth to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reigns trying to control but Booth is working from the bottom.
Booth controlling the position.

Booth working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Reigns doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Reigns manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Reigns being controlled here momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Reigns wants to stand and escape but instead Booth has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richard Booth showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Booth has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Booth!