PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Rockhold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mathis LU (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Rockhold
vs
LU

195 cm
20
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

187 cm
24
220 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Versus

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Rockhold!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mathis LU!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Phil Schofield and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LU chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rockhold can pounce on him.

Rockhold clinches up against the cage.

Rockhold pulls guard successfully.
LU must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rockhold is adopting a defensive guard.
Rockhold bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in LU's guard.

Rockhold advances to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rockhold seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
LU tries to kick Rockhold off but Rockhold keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LU is trying to control but Rockhold passes into side control!
Rockhold remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Rockhold trying to control the action but LU is working from the bottom.
An elbow from Rockhold crashes against the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

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.

Rockhold thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Rockhold stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Rockhold throws a sloppy head kick and LU moves out of range easily.
A little jabbing left from LU on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
LU throws a right hand that Rockhold ducks under and follows up with a left that Rockhold also avoids with ease.
Mike Rockhold seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LU avoids a punch combination nicely.
LU uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rockhold.
Rockhold definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Rockhold fails in his attempt to clinch.
As Rockhold backs off LU throws a huge counter combo but Rockhold manages to avoid it all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LU avoids the head kick by Rockhold.
Rockhold throws a right and a left that both miss.
LU scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rockhold misses with an uppercut
and LU counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rockhold scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Mathis LU has been cut.
LU slips a jab from Rockhold.
The crowd cheers as LU lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rockhold doesn't seem phased though.
Rockhold throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
LU throws a lazy right hand but Rockhold sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rockhold throws a combination but it was largely blocked by LU.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
LU digs a good body shot into Rockhold's ribs.
Rockhold swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from LU misses.
LU scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
LU lands a jab-cross combination.
LU scores with a hook to the body. Rockhold takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
LU misses with a straight right.

Rockhold has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockhold is trying to stall.

LU pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by Rockhold.
LU feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Rockholds jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
We've been informed that LU has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Rockhold rushes LU and presses him up against the cage.
Rockhold blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Rockhold pulls guard effortlessly.

LU gets to his feet. Rockhold looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Rockhold throws an overhand right that lands on LU's shoulder, as LU tries to avoid the shot.
A left and a right from LU both land. Nice combination.
LU swings and misses with a hook to the body.
LU takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rockhold misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rockhold is breathing heavily.
Rockhold falls off balance throwing a combination
and LU counters with a right hand to the body.
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 Mike Rockhold will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mathis LU's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

LU lands a jab to the nose.
Rockhold has his takedown stuffed
enabling LU to counter with a crisp jab.
Rockhold takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rockhold throws a combination that misses
and LU counters with a left to the body.
LU throws a big shot that misses.

Rockhold closes the distance and clinches.

LU manages to break the clinch.
Rockhold takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A punch combination from Rockhold misses.
LU lands a nice hook to Rockhold's body. Rockhold takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rockhold slips under a jab from LU.
LU throws a right hand that Rockhold ducks under and follows up with a left that Rockhold also avoids with ease.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rockhold slips a straight right by LU.
Rockhold throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
LU doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
LU jabs Rockhold to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rockhold moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LU scores with a hook to the body. Rockhold takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
LU jabbing away but nothing is landing.
LU connects with a jab.
LU throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mike Rockhold is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
LU misses with a hook
enabling Rockhold to counter with a crisp jab.
LU swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rockhold closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rockhold slips a straight right by LU.
Rockhold on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rockhold misses with a looping right.
Rockhold throws the left hand but LU avoids the punch easily.
LU works over Rockhold's head and body with a nice combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
LU uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rockhold.
Rockhold takes one to the chin there.
Rockhold misses the jab.
Rockhold scores with a nice head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockhold takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
LU connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rockhold momentarily.
Rockhold misses with a shot to the body
and LU counters with a stiff right hand.
Rockhold tried to score with a low kick but LU checks it.
LU lands a really nice looking cross but Rockhold seems unphased.
LU sizes up Rockhold with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Rockhold moves out of range of the strikes.
Rockhold pulls out of a head kick attempt.
LU lands an overhand right.
Rockhold tries for a takedown but LU circles away easily
and LU counters with a straight right hand.
LU throws the left hand but Rockhold avoids the punch easily.
LU steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rockhold.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by LU.
LU fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rockhold on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LU throws a jab but it's blocked by Rockhold.
LU thuds his right hand into Rockhold's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
LU tries to bum rush Rockhold with a series of wild strikes but Rockhold uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
LU swinging wildly here.
Rockhold is on the wrong end of a nice combination from LU.
LU connects with the punch.
LU misses with a series of wild punches.
LU throws out a loose jab but Rockhold uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rockhold looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rockhold fails to land with a series of punches.
LU looks to throw the jab but Rockhold is out of range.
LU fails to land with a series of punches.
LU has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LU throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
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!
LU connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
LU fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A good leg kick by Rockhold.
LU misses with a hook.
Nice body punch from LU.
Rockhold looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rockhold tries to bum rush LU with a series of wild strikes but LU uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rockhold moves out of range as LU strikes.
Rockhold throws a big counter combination but LU scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
LU looks to land a combination. Rockhold sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
LU slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
LU scores with a three punch combo!
LU lands with a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rockhold misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
LU throws out a counter right but Rockhold avoids it with no problem.
Rockhold tries for a takedown but LU circles away easily
and LU counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathis LU showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mathis LU's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rockhold misses with a low kick.
Rockhold will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rockhold misses with a head kick.
Rockhold throws a head kick but LU moves out of range.
LU throws a hook but Rockhold avoids it easily.
LU missing with a left hand there. Rockhold was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rockhold takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rockhold fails with the takedown.
A swing and a miss from LU.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rockhold throws a series of punches but LU avoids them all with ease.
Rockhold misses with a double jab
and LU counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
LU misses with the combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LU changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
LU fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rockhold looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
LU will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
An attempted straight right counter from Rockhold misses the target.

Rockhold fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with LU, pushing him back against the cage.
LU lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rockhold tries to pull guard but LU won't allow it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rockhold.
LU throws a head punch that misses.
Rockhold tries to score a body lock takedown but LU shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Rockhold. That's going to take a lot out of him.
LU misses with a shot to the kidneys.
LU softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rockhold wants to stall.

LU breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LU lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rockhold ducks right into an uppercut from LU.
LU looks to land a left hand but Rockhold moved out of range nicely.
LU dodges the punch combination from Rockhold.
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!
LU lunges at Rockhold with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rockhold's hand.
Mathis LU is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
LU scores with a jab to the head.

Rockhold closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
LU misses with a short punch on the inside.
LU tries to throw a body punch but Rockhold avoids it by throwing LU back against the cage.

LU manages to break the clinch.
Rockhold throws a sloppy head kick
letting LU counter with a right hand.
Rockhold throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice jab there from LU.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LU throws a right and a left that Rockhold avoids nicely.
LU lands with a shot to the body.
LU scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A head kick misses from Rockhold.
LU throws out a counter right but Rockhold avoids it with no problem.
LU stuns Rockhold with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
LU works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
LU works the jab nicely.
LU lands with a hook. Rockhold tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
LU dodges the punch combination from Rockhold.
Rockhold tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rockhold throws a leg kick that is checked
and LU counters with a stiff right hand.
LU throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
LU throws a combination. Rockhold tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rockhold throws a sloppy head kick
and LU counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LU lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
LU throws a nice looking combination but Rockhold bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rockhold dives in for a single leg takedown but LU sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A jab from LU does it's job there.
Good standup being displayed there by LU as he connects with a hook.
Rockhold moves out of range of the strikes.
LU connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Mathis LU seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rockhold walks into a stiff left hand from LU.
LU lands a jab-cross combination.
LU showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rockhold.
Rockhold throws a combination that misses
letting LU counter with a right hand.
LU stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rockhold takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mathis LU comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think LU 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mathis LU!
Mathis LU thanked the fans post fight for their support.