PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alberto Rossi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kostas Mavrouleas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rossi comes into the arena with Andrea Bocelli - Time To Say Goodbye blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rossi
vs
Mavrouleas

176 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

187 cm
22
181 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alberto Rossi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kostas Mavrouleas!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Sano and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mavrouleas scores with a takedown into Rossi's guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Mavrouleas trying to control but Rossi is working from the bottom.

Rossi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rossi looking to control.
Rossi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mavrouleas's guard.
Mavrouleas can't keep his opponent in guard - Rossi advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Rossi working over Mavrouleas with some ground and pound. Mavrouleas looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Mavrouleas works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rossi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mavrouleas throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Mavrouleas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rossi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rossi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rossi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi passes Mavrouleas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Mavrouleas blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rossi.

Rossi is looking for a kimura here.
Mavrouleas tries to roll over but Rossi keeps him under control.
Mavrouleas moves into full guard.
Rossi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rossi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rossi trying to control but Mavrouleas is working from the bottom.
Mavrouleas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rossi.
Rossi trying to control but Mavrouleas is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mavrouleas lands a head kick!
Rossi is looking to clinch but Mavrouleas is avoiding it.
Rossi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rossi misses with a wild combination.
Rossi fails to land with a series of punches.
Rossi is breathing heavily.
Rossi tries to clinch but Mavrouleas moves out of range.

Mavrouleas shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rossi's guard.
Rossi keeping moving, preventing Mavrouleas from controlling successfully.
Mavrouleas passes Rossi's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Mavrouleas 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossi manages to get to full guard.

Rossi has his foot on Mavrouleas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mavrouleas works his way back into a safe position though.

Rossi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rossi wants to improve his position but instead Mavrouleas has moved into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mavrouleas works his way into full mount!
Rossi regains half guard.
Mavrouleas is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Mavrouleas is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Rossi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rossi tries to roll over but Mavrouleas keeps him under control.
Mavrouleas tries to stand and escape but Rossi is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kostas Mavrouleas dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rossi tries for a takedown but Mavrouleas circles away easily

and Mavrouleas counters by clinching up.
Rossi looking to slow down the pace here.
Maybe Rossi would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Mavrouleas tries for a takedown but Rossi manages to get underhooks.
Mavrouleas tries to score a body lock takedown but Rossi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rossi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Alberto Rossi.
Mavrouleas throws an overhand right that lands on Rossi's shoulder, as Rossi tries to avoid the shot.
Alberto Rossi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mavrouleas displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rossi throws out the jab.
Mavrouleas throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mavrouleas shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rossi pinned against the cage. Rossi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Alberto Rossi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kostas Mavrouleas.
Horrible takedown by Rossi or perhaps it was just good defense by Mavrouleas which made him look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Rossi.
Rossi moves away from the strike by Mavrouleas.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rossi.
Mavrouleas with a lazy takedown attempt

and Rossi counters by clinching up.
Rossi lands an elbow inside.
Rossi unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mavrouleas lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mavrouleas is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Mavrouleas blocks the elbow strike.
Mavrouleas keeps control of Rossi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mavrouleas drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rossi wants to stall.
Mavrouleas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.

Rossi has picked Mavrouleas up - he's going for a ride! Rossi dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Mavrouleas tries to get to full guard but Rossi has control of the leg.
Mavrouleas is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mavrouleas wants to get back to his feet.
Mavrouleas tries to roll over but Rossi keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rossi is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Mavrouleas has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rossi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mavrouleas keeps working.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mavrouleas throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rossi's waist but Rossi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mavrouleas off to one side.
Rossi throws a series of strikes that have Mavrouleas backpedaling.
Rossi thuds his right hand into Mavrouleas's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rossi.
Rossi scores with a head kick.
Mavrouleas shoots for a double leg takedown but Rossi sprawls well. He's pushed Mavrouleas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mavrouleas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mavrouleas is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Rossi.
A jab from Rossi misses.
Rossi connects with the punch.
A big right from Rossi misses.
Mavrouleas tries for a takedown but Rossi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rossi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mavrouleas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rossi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mavrouleas moves away.

Mavrouleas shoots in and bounces Rossi off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
Mavrouleas tries to free his leg and advance position but Rossi is retaining full guard.
Rossi wants to sweep here but Mavrouleas controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alberto Rossi dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mavrouleas tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rossi swivels and escapes.
No joy there for Rossi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Rossi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rossi has had enough of the clinch but Mavrouleas keeps him there for the moment.
Rossi is looking to control Mavrouleas's arms but Mavrouleas gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rossi has his back to the ropes.

Mavrouleas manages to pull guard.
Rossi trying to control the position from guard on top but Mavrouleas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mavrouleas is trying to control the position but Rossi postures up.
Rossi passes Mavrouleas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rossi is trying to work for a kimura but Mavrouleas is defending well.

Rossi is trying to work for a kimura but Mavrouleas is defending well.
Mavrouleas trying to control here.
Mavrouleas controlling the position for now.
Mavrouleas is looking to improve his position.
Rossi is keen to just control but Mavrouleas is a slippery customer.

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.
Mavrouleas wants to improve his position but Rossi is controlling well.
Rossi wants to pass to mount but Mavrouleas is defending the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rossi tries to clinch up.
A combination from Rossi does no damage.
Mavrouleas looks to throw a body kick

and Rossi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rossi.
Mavrouleas wants to stall.
Rossi effectively controlling the action here.

Mavrouleas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rossi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rossi fails with the takedown.
Rossi fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mavrouleas tries to close the distance and clinch but Rossi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Mavrouleas shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mavrouleas showed some decent athleticism there.
Mavrouleas is tying to control. Rossi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mavrouleas blocks the strikes from Rossi.
Rossi is trying to get back to full guard.

Mavrouleas 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.
Rossi regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Rossi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rossi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Mavrouleas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rossi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rossi throws a nice inside leg kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mavrouleas misses with a low kick.
Mavrouleas shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rossi closes the distance but Mavrouleas moves to the side

and Mavrouleas counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kostas Mavrouleas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mavrouleas has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kostas Mavrouleas!