PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Walter Rothko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Isaiah Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rothko
vs
Ferguson

178 cm
35
147 lbs
16 - 29 - 0

165 cm
31
145 lbs
21 - 15 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Great elbows
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 29 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Walter Rothko !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Isaiah Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ferguson.
Rothko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rothko wants it to stay on the feet.

Rothko gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ferguson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rothko smiles and moves away.
Walter Rothko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaiah Ferguson.
Ferguson slips a jab and a cross from Rothko .
Ferguson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rothko tries to avoid it but Ferguson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rothko to the ground. Rothko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Rothko rushes Ferguson and presses him up against the cage.

Rothko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ferguson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rothko avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferguson dives in for a single leg takedown but Rothko sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ferguson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Rothko counters by clinching up.
Rothko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ferguson being controlled against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rothko successfully pulls guard.
Ferguson tries to free his leg and advance position but Rothko is retaining full guard.

Ferguson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rothko is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rothko has escaped and now he's on top!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rothko controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rothko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two 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.

Ferguson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Rothko is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Ferguson.
Ferguson is being controlled here.

Rothko decides to stand up, so the ref orders Ferguson to his feet.
Ferguson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rothko leaves Ferguson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ferguson shoots in looking for a takedown. Rothko tries to sprawl out of it but Ferguson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rothko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson dives in and grabs Rothko 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rothko pushes down on Ferguson's head and hops out.
Ferguson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rothko avoids it really well and circles away.
Rothko went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ferguson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rothko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ferguson somewhat.
Rothko tries to counter by clinching up but Ferguson breaks away and moves out of range.

Rothko changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ferguson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ferguson tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Rothko has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Ferguson tries to sprawl but Rothko drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Rothko is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rothko passes the guard and advances to mount!
Ferguson avoids a series of strikes thrown by Rothko .
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Rothko dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rothko looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ferguson!
Rothko 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.
Rothko looking to control but instead Ferguson has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Rothko keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Rothko tries to stand but can't do so whilst Ferguson controls his leg.
Rothko throwing shots but Ferguson is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rothko seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rothko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ferguson can do to turn this around?

Ferguson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rothko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ferguson somewhat.
Ferguson shoots in but no luck this time.

Rothko shoots in and bounces Ferguson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rothko will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rothko would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Walter Rothko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ferguson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rothko slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Ferguson has a closed guard, preventing Rothko from standing up.

Rothko throws a sloppy strike and Ferguson has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Rothko is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Ferguson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Isaiah Ferguson!
Post fight, Isaiah Ferguson stared into the camera and said ' im definatly #comingbackstronger'.