PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mc Cullough Erwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Soto Rojas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Cullough Erwin
vs
Rojas

170 cm
20
150 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

181 cm
27
161 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Mc Cullough Erwin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Soto Rojas!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Erwin moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rojas looks to land a right hand but Erwin moved out of range.
Soto Rojas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rojas scores with a body shot.
Rojas fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Erwin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rojas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Erwin manages to avoid it.
A combination from Rojas does no damage.
A quick step to the side and Erwin tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from Rojas finds it's way through Erwin's defenses.
Rojas throws a body punch but Erwin moves out of range.
Rojas throws a body punch but Erwin moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rojas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Erwin.
Rojas scores with a body shot.
Rojas lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Erwin ducks under a wild hook from Rojas.
Erwin throwing a counter right hand but Rojas manages to avoid it.
Rojas misses with a right hand
and Erwin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Good standup being displayed there by Erwin as he connects with a hook.
Rojas scores with a one two! Erwin had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Nice straight punches there by Rojas. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rojas.
Erwin has been working on his boxing with his coaches at London MMA Club in the buildup to the fight.
Rojas tries to bum rush Erwin with a series of wild strikes but Erwin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rojas throws a series of punches but Erwin avoids them all with ease.
A little feinted left hand from Erwin on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rojas misses with a body shot.
Erwin ducks under a wild hook from Rojas.
Erwin throwing a counter right hand but Rojas manages to avoid it.
Rojas swings for the body but Erwin moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rojas takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rojas shoots in for a takedown but Erwin shows good takedown defense.
Rojas throws a body shot but no joy.
Rojas digs a good hook to Erwin's body.
Erwin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Erwin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Erwin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rojas misses with a wild body shot.
A quick step to the side and Erwin tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Erwin's corner calls for a 1-2. Erwin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rojas lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojas connects with a body shot.
Erwin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Erwin ducks under a wild hook from Rojas.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rojas.
Rojas tries to score a power double leg takedown but Erwin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rojas somewhat.
Rojas looks to land a right hand but Erwin moved out of range.
Rojas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Erwin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Erwin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rojas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rojas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Erwin.
A jab from Rojas does it's job there.
Rojas throws a body punch but Erwin moves out of range.
Rojas clobbers Erwin with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rojas takes a swing at Erwin's ribcage but misses.
A swing and a miss from Rojas.
Erwin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A cross from Rojas lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Erwin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Erwin slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Soto Rojas 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.

Rojas lands a head shot.
Erwin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rojas counters with a one-two to the body.
Rojas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rojas scores with a punch to the head.

Erwin takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Erwin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Erwin closes the distance and clinches.
Rojas tries to circle away but Erwin has him pinned against the cage.
Rojas working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas is trying to pull guard but Erwin has him pressed against the cage.
Rojas is looking to take this one to the mat.
Mc Cullough Erwin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Soto Rojas.

Erwin has clasped his hands together around Rojas's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Rojas takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Erwin controls the position.
Erwin wants to take a breather but Rojas manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Erwin.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rojas looking for a guillotine here but Erwin defends easily.

Rojas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Erwin is aware though and is defending well.
Erwin sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rojas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rojas trying to keep a closed guard but Erwin is proving a slippery customer.
Rojas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Erwin.
Erwin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Erwin is looking to work some ground and pound but Rojas has wrist control.
Erwin being controlled here momentarily.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Erwin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Erwin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Rojas looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Erwin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Erwin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Rojas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Erwin defends well.
Erwin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

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.
Erwin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Rojas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Erwin defends well.
Erwin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Erwin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rojas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Rojas is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Erwin has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rojas is proving hard to escape from.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Erwin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Erwin stays in close to Rojas's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mc Cullough Erwin will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Erwin takes one to the chin there.
Rojas misses with a body shot.
Soto Rojas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rojas swings widly with a right hand
and Erwin counters with a stiff right hand.
Rojas swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Erwin.
Erwin misses with a hook

and Rojas counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Erwin makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sloppy strikes from Rojas. Those never looked like landing.
Rojas moves into range and connects with a jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Rojas as he connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rojas throws a lazy uppercut
and Rojas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rojas takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rojas throws a nice looking combination but Erwin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Erwin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rojas is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Rojas misses the jab.
It looked like Erwin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Rojas bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Rojas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Erwin keeps working.
Erwin is looking to regain half guard here but Rojas keeps moving and retains side control.
Rojas wants to control but Erwin is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Erwin tries to bench press Rojas off him but Rojas keeps the position.
Rojas is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Erwin's shoulder. That is not cool.
You can see the frustration on Erwin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rojas is looking to take a break and control but Erwin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Erwin struggling a bit here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rojas tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rojas has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Erwin gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Rojas can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Erwin is looking to escape.
Erwin is wriggling around trying to escape.

Rojas goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Erwin turns into him and now he's in Rojas's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rojas is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Erwin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Rojas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Erwin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Erwin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Erwin connects with a couple of short punches.

Rojas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Erwin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Erwin trying to control the position from guard on top but Rojas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Soto Rojas just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Erwin connects with a jab.
Rojas with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Erwin avoids the body shot from Rojas.
Rojas misses the body punch
and Rojas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rojas works the jab nicely.

Erwin has closed the distance and engaged Rojas in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rojas tries for a takedown. No joy.

Erwin gets control of Rojas's arms and successfully pulls guard. Erwin will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Rojas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Erwin swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Erwin keeping moving, preventing Rojas from controlling successfully.
Erwin has Rojas pulled in close to control his posture.
Rojas trying to control the position from guard on top but Erwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rojas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Erwin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rojas wants to control from the top but Erwin keeps moving.
Erwin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rojas tries to free his leg and advance position but Erwin is retaining full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rojas has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rojas throws a lazy right hand but Erwin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A big left from Erwin misses.
Rojas darts in looking for a takedown but Erwin gets double underhooks and turns Rojas into the cage.
Erwin with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rojas to score with a decent uppercut.
Rojas uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Erwin throws an overhand right that lands on Rojas's shoulder, as Rojas tries to avoid the shot.
Rojas lands a lovely overhand right.
Erwin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Rojas.
Erwin cracks Rojas with a good jab.
Erwin gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rojas.
Rojas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Erwin was well out of range. Poor timing from Rojas.
Erwin looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Erwin walks into a left hand.
Erwin misses the shot to the body.
Rojas throws out a counter right but Erwin avoids it with no problem.
Rojas throws a hook to the side of Erwin's head but Erwin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Erwin has closed the distance and engaged Rojas in a clinch.

Erwin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rojas jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rojas fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Erwin takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rojas misses with the combination.
A shot to the body from Rojas misses
and Erwin counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rojas doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Erwin to counter with a crisp jab.
Mc Cullough Erwin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Soto Rojas.
Rojas throws a hook to the side of Erwin's head but Erwin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rojas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Erwin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Soto Rojas dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Erwin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Erwin on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rojas avoids a punch combination nicely.
A big left from Rojas misses.
Erwin throws a body punch but Rojas moves out of range.
Rojas fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Erwin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Erwin moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Erwin breaks from the clinch.
Rojas throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rojas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Erwin.
Erwin walks into a stiff left hand from Rojas.
Rojas scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rojas throws a jab but it's blocked by Erwin.
Erwin misses with a straight left.
Rojas is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Rojas has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Erwin connects with a looping right hand.
Erwin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Erwin swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mc Cullough Erwin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rojas misses with a two punch combination.
It looked like Erwin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Erwin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Erwin on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rojas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Erwin.
Rojas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Erwin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Erwin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Erwin has managed to clinch.
Rojas struggles to land a body shot inside as Erwin controls his hands.

Erwin is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Rojas can't fight it off and eventually Erwin manages to take the fight to the floor. Rojas looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Erwin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rojas has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Erwin has managed to get both his arms back between Rojas's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Erwin is looking to work some ground and pound but Rojas has wrist control.

Rojas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Rojas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Erwin defends it easily.
Rojas is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Erwin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Erwin trying to control the position from guard on top but Rojas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Erwin lands a couple of digs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rojas has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Erwin doesn't defend quickly enough and Rojas has managed to lock this one up! Can Erwin escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Rojas on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Soto Rojas! Soto Rojas retains his lightweight title!
A victorious Soto Rojas thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.