PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Rojas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dean Sutherland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rojas's entrance music is Apaga Mas Não Bate. A fine choice. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Rojas
vs
Sutherland

195 cm
32
200 lbs
18 - 14 - 0

188 cm
24
188 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Rodrigo Rojas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dean Sutherland!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Aafke Stam and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sutherland finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rojas definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Sutherland throws a solid leg kick but Rojas takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sutherland.
Sutherland punishes Rojas's body with a nice straight punch.
Rojas looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sutherland is fending him off so far but Rojas persists. Nope, Sutherland circles away and we're back to standing.
Rojas moves in looking to clinch but Sutherland pushes him off.
Sutherland throws a leg kick but Rojas sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Rojas throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sutherland was covering up waiting for the punch and Rojas finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rojas wants to pass the guard but Sutherland is keeping the position.
Rojas trying to control the position from guard on top but Sutherland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rojas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sutherland is keeping the position for now.

Rojas thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas tries to free his leg and advance position but Sutherland is retaining full guard.
Rojas trying to control but Sutherland is working from the bottom.
Rojas passes into half guard.

Rojas is trying to work for a kimura but Sutherland is defending well.
Sutherland wants to improve his position but Rojas is controlling well.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Rojas wants to work for an arm triangle but Sutherland is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Rojas is looking for a kimura but Sutherland is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rojas to get the leverage.
Sutherland trying to control but Rojas postures up.
Sutherland controlling the position for now.
Sutherland wants to control but Rojas is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sutherland keeps control of the position for the meantime.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rojas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sutherland is looking to slow Rojas down with leg kicks.
Rojas takes one to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojas fails with the takedown.
Dean Sutherland is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A leg kick checked by Rojas.
Rojas tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Sutherland manages to circle out of the way.
Sutherland moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A punch combination from Rojas misses.
Sutherland with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rojas takes one to the side of the head.

Rojas gets a takedown into half guard.

Rojas is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sutherland sees it coming and defends easily.
Sutherland is refusing to be controlled, as Rojas sits in half guard.

Rojas 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 four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sutherland slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sutherland is trying to control the position but Rojas postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rojas trying to control but Sutherland is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rodrigo Rojas will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rojas with a poor takedown
and Sutherland counters with an outside leg kick.
Sutherland punishes Rojas's body with a nice straight punch.
Sutherland connects with an inside leg kick.
Sutherland scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Dean Sutherland seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sutherland explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Sutherland darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rojas tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sutherland defends well and Rojas ends up having to push Sutherland into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sutherland misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rojas tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Sutherland manages to circle out of the way.
Rojas takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sutherland looks to land a left hand but Rojas moved out of range nicely.
Sutherland cracks the inside of Rojas's front leg.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rojas shoots in looking for a takedown but Sutherland manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rojas's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrigo Rojas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rojas looks to score with a jab to the body but Sutherland is just out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sutherland, as that shot connected.
Rojas moves out of range as Sutherland throws a body kick.
Sutherland throws a looping overhand right but Rojas ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sutherland lands a nice shot that snaps Rojas's head back.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sutherland, right into the meat.
Rojas takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rojas shoots in for a takedown but Sutherland shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rojas shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sutherland defends it nicely.
Sutherland feints a counter leg kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sutherland.
Rojas takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rojas.

Rojas moves into range and clinches up with Sutherland.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sutherland scores with a hook to the body.
Rojas tries to pull guard but Sutherland holds him up against the ropes and eventually Rojas drops back down to his feet.
Rojas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rojas is trying to pull guard but Sutherland turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Sutherland has Rojas pressed against the ropes.
Rojas jumps guard but Sutherland turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Sutherland has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sutherland stalling.
Rojas is trying to pull guard but Sutherland has him pressed against the ropes.
Rojas has a couple of punches blocked by Sutherland.
Sutherland goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sutherland blocking some punches.
Sutherland lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rojas.
Sutherland tries a body shot but Rojas blocks it.
Sutherland misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sutherland lands with a light punch inside.
Rojas takes a shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojas trying to control the position but instead, Sutherland has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rojas into the ropes.
Rojas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sutherland walks away with a smile on his face. Rojas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sutherland ducks under a wild hook from Rojas.
Rojas shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sutherland as he jumps to the side.
Sutherland throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Rojas stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sutherland throws a leg kick but Rojas sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sutherland throws a hook but Rojas blocks it.

Rojas closes the distance and clinches.
Sutherland works on Rojas's body with a couple of short punches.

Sutherland breaks from the clinch.
Sutherland looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rojas fails with the takedown
and Sutherland counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rojas slips a straight right by Sutherland.
Sutherland smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Sutherland connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rojas momentarily.
Sutherland rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rojas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sutherland fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Rojas takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Both fighters circling a little - Sutherland finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Sutherland connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Rojas missing with a left hand there. Sutherland was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rojas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sutherland swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sutherland feints and then cracks Rojas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rojas down.
Rojas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rojas displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sutherland throws out the jab.
Sutherland thuds a left hand into Rojas's body.
Rojas is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rojas slips under a jab from Sutherland.
Rojas wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Sutherland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sutherland lands with an uppercut that bounces Rojas off the ropes and back into range.
Sutherland throws a leg kick that is checked

and Rojas counters with a shoot takedown. Sutherland fights it but they end up in guard.
Rojas trying to control the position from guard on top but Sutherland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rojas tries to free his leg and advance position but Sutherland is retaining full guard.
Sutherland has Rojas pulled in close to control his posture.
Sutherland trying to control the position.
Sutherland has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rojas passes Sutherland's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rojas seems to be looking for submissions.

Rojas is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sutherland has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rojas is trying to control. Sutherland wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sutherland trying to control here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Rojas is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rojas prevents Sutherland from improving his position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A thudding body kick lands there by Sutherland!
Rojas walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sutherland fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sutherland.
Rojas throws a looping overhand right but Sutherland ducks down to avoid it.
A punch combination from Sutherland misses.
Sutherland misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sutherland throws out a loose jab but Rojas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rojas wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A big right from Sutherland misses.
Rojas appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sutherland throws a leg kick but Rojas moved away.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Sutherland.
Sutherland throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rojas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rojas has his takedown stuffed
and Sutherland counters with a solid body kick.
Sutherland thuds a left hand into Rojas's body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice defenses there by Sutherland.
Sutherland ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sutherland throws a hook but Rojas blocks it.
Rojas is looking to counter the offense by Sutherland and move into the clinch.
A bone on bone clash there as Rojas blocks the leg kick.
Sutherland connects with a solid leg kick.

Rojas moves into range and clinches up with Sutherland.
Rojas is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Sutherland to keep the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rojas is trying to pull guard but Sutherland turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrigo Rojas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rojas is trying to pull guard but Sutherland turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Sutherland lands a nice uppercut.
Sutherland pushes Rojas back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sutherland throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rojass head.
Sutherland stalling against the ropes.
Sutherland lands with a right to the head.
Sutherland lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Sutherland.
Nice body punch from Sutherland - that landed with a thud.
Sutherland lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sutherland lands a body shot.
Rojas being controlled against the ropes.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Sutherland creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dean Sutherland comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sutherland 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dean Sutherland!