PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ernst Young (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erick Rootmans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Young comes to the cage accompanied by Eye Of The Tiger. Rootmans is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Busta Rhymes - Put your hands where my eyes can see. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Young
vs
Rootmans

195 cm
29
215 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

190 cm
32
225 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ernst Young!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Erick Rootmans!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Taro Takaoka and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Young ducks under a wild hook from Rootmans.
Young throwing a counter right hand but Rootmans manages to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Rootmans.

Rootmans changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Young looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Young tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Rootmans tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Young regains half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Young is looking to improve his position.
Rootmans stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Young looks like he's trying to stand up.
Young wants to control but Rootmans is keeping busy.
Rootmans prevents Young from standing back up.
Young is trying to maintain the position but Rootmans is very close to passing his half guard.
Rootmans content to control rather than advance.

That's two 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.
Young is trying to stand back up but Rootmans is controlling him
Rootmans wants to control but Young is keeping him busy.
Still in half guard, Rootmans seems content to control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rootmans keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Young throws a lazy right hand but Rootmans sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rootmans gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Young counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rootmans doesn't manage to clinch there - Young circles away.
Rootmans throws a left and a right that both miss
and Young counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rootmans is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Young.
Young went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Young throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rootmans stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Young throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rootmans takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Young lands a nice hook to Rootmans's body. Rootmans takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rootmans throws a body kick that misses.
Young is looking for a counter combo.
Rootmans throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ernst Young is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Young takes a swing at Rootmans's ribcage but misses.

Rootmans shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rootmans showed some decent athleticism there.
Young is controlling Rootmans's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Rootmans thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Young tries to roll over but Rootmans keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Young wants to get back to his feet.
Rootmans seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Young does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rootmans working the head and body with strikes.
Young moves into full guard.
Young keeping moving, preventing Rootmans from controlling successfully.
Young wants to sweep here but Rootmans controlling him for the moment.
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!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Young preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ernst Young dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rootmans closes the distance but Young moves to the side
and Young counters with a left to the body.
Nice defenses there by Rootmans.
Young blocks the body kick.
Rootmans staying out of range there.
Young walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rootmans.

Rootmans clinches.
Young can't find room to land a body shot as Rootmans controls the action.
Rootmans tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rootmans tries a knee to the head but Young blocks it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Young.
Rootmans misses with a knee strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Young working aggressively here.
A short left from Young.
Rootmans with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Young wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rootmans has him pressed against the cage.
Young fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Young lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rootmans backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Young breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Young connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rootmans. Rootmans circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rootmans misses with a wild combination.
Young lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rootmans tries to clinch up but Young circles away and keeps his distance.
Young misses the jab.
Rootmans ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rootmans gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Young.
Young connects with a looping right hand.
Young fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rootmans steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Young.
Rootmans tries to land a front kick but Young steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Young scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rootmans tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans tries to score a power double leg takedown but Young sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rootmans somewhat.
Young is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Young stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Young wants it to stay on the feet.
Young misses with a few strikes there.
Rootmans looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Rootmans drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Young being controlled for a moment.
Young wants to control but Rootmans postures up.
Young tries to buck Rootmans off but Rootmans is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans prevents Young from escaping the position.
Young trying to remain calm as Rootmans controls from the top position.
Young is trying to control Rootmans's posture but Rootmans avoids it.
Rootmans wants to control but Young is keeping him busy.
Young tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rootmans wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rootmans wants to control but Young is keeping him busy.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Rootmans darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Young is refusing to be controlled, as Rootmans sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rootmans sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Young defending well though.
Young is trying to control but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rootmans scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rootmans keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Young has his hands clasped together around Rootmans's back. He's all about the action.
Rootmans is taking a breather. Young 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ernst Young dominated that second round.
That's time! Young's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Young lands with an overhand left.
Nice sprawl there from Young as Rootmans shoots in.
Rootmans fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Young manages to avoid it.
It looked like Young wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Erick Rootmans is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rootmans drives through and clinches with Young against the cage.
Rootmans drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Young is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rootmans can do to turn this around?
Young is trying to break the clinch but Rootmans has him pressed against the cage.
Young misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rootmans's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rootmans misses with a knee strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rootmans tries to score a body lock takedown but Young shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ernst Young has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erick Rootmans.
Rootmans tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rootmans lands a knee to the head.
Young is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rootmans with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Young is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Young breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rootmans cracks the inside of Young's front leg.
Rootmans misses with a takedown attempt
and Young counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rootmans thinking.
Erick Rootmans seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rootmans takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Young throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Young with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Rootmans has closed the distance and engaged Young in a clinch.
Young tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rootmans's elbow.
A frustrated look appears on Young's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rootmans keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Young's efforts to push away.

Young's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rootmans moves away from the strike by Young.

Rootmans clinches.
Rootmans throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Young blocks it with crossed arms.

Young breaks from the clinch.
A combination from Rootmans does no damage.
Young scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ernst Young is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Young lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rootmans doesn't seem phased though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rootmans walks into a jab.
Rootmans keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rootmans throws a half hearted mid kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Young misses the target.
Ernst Young is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice jab there from Young.
Rootmans fails with a takedown attempt.
Young misses with a looping left.
Rootmans throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rootmans tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Young counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Rootmans drives through with a takedown into guard.
Young is pulling down on Rootmans's head. It's preventing any offense from Rootmans, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rootmans prevents Young from getting back to his feet.
Rootmans pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Young is keeping the position for now.
Rootmans is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rootmans is looking to work some ground and pound but Young has wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Young bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Young bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Rootmans swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
No luck for Rootmans with that takedown attempt.
Erick Rootmans has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rootmans wants to clinch.
Rootmans lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Young lands a nice looking body shot.

Rootmans shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Young is trying to defend but Rootmans finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ernst Young.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Young, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ernst Young!
An out of breath Ernst Young thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.