PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Roberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rupert McCaffrey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rupert McCaffrey will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Roberts
vs
McCaffrey

182 cm
26
164 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

169 cm
25
165 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jeff Roberts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Rupert McCaffrey!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Colin Fotheringham and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCaffrey comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rupert McCaffrey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCaffrey misses with a kick to the body

and Roberts counters with a nice double leg into guard.

McCaffrey is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Roberts presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that McCaffrey has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
McCaffrey trying to land knees to the body.
McCaffrey lands a left hand.

Roberts breaks from the clinch.
McCaffrey looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
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!
McCaffrey looks to land a combination but Roberts avoids it well.
Good standup being displayed there by McCaffrey as he connects with a hook.
Nice takedown defense from McCaffrey. No joy for Roberts on that attempt.

Roberts dives in and scores a takedown into McCaffrey's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Roberts throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McCaffrey works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Roberts throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Roberts accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Roberts postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Roberts engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts throws a big right hand that misses.
McCaffrey keeping moving, preventing Roberts from controlling successfully.
McCaffrey wants to sweep here but Roberts controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Roberts is looking to work some ground and pound but McCaffrey has wrist control.
Roberts is working McCaffrey over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Roberts scoring with punches to the head and body.
McCaffrey really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Roberts. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Roberts in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Roberts pushes down on McCaffrey's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Roberts seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McCaffrey does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roberts throwing shots but McCaffrey is blocking nicely.

Roberts has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can McCaffrey defend it? Roberts steps over the head and cranks it - McCaffrey is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Roberts!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:16 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jeff Roberts!
During a confident post fight interview, Jeff Roberts thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.