PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luke Rockhold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Gonzalez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rockhold
vs
Gonzalez

188 cm
25
184 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

182 cm
19
186 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luke Rockhold!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, George Gonzalez!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Rockhold.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gonzalez.
A head kick misses from Gonzalez.

Rockhold has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rockhold taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Rockhold breaks from the clinch.
Rockhold throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gonzalez buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rockhold shoots in for a takedown but Gonzalez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Rockhold closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gonzalez breaks from the clinch.
Gonzalez dives in for a single leg takedown but Rockhold sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Gonzalez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gonzalez misses with a body punch.
Gonzalez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzalez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rockhold prevents it.
Luke Rockhold has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Gonzalez.
Gonzalez tries to pull guard but Rockhold holds him up against the cage and eventually Gonzalez drops back down to his feet.
Gonzalez tries to pull guard but Rockhold holds him up against the cage and eventually Gonzalez drops back down to his feet.
Gonzalez blocks an elbow strike.
Rockhold's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Gonzalez breaks the clinch.

Gonzalez gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gonzalez works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Rockhold has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Gonzalez off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Gonzalez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rockhold tries to counter by clinching up but Gonzalez breaks away and moves out of range.
Gonzalez fails with the takedown
and Rockhold counters with a lovely shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rockhold shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gonzalez defends it nicely.
Gonzalez scores with a sloppy right hand. Rockhold should have avoided that one.
Gonzalez fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gonzalez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rockhold was covering up waiting for the punch and Gonzalez finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Rockhold pushes Gonzalez off and gets back to his feet.
Nice defenses there by Rockhold.

Rockhold pushes Gonzalez up against the cage in a clinch.
Gonzalez goes for a takedown attempt but Rockhold pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rockhold fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gonzalez avoids it really well and circles away.
Gonzalez wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

It looks like George Gonzalez has been cut.
Rockhold shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gonzalez as he jumps to the side.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rockhold leaves Gonzalez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rockhold throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Rockhold forces Gonzalez back against the cage and clinches.

Rockhold decides to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Rockhold dominated that round.
The cut man is working on George Gonzalez's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gonzalez misses with a takedown
and Rockhold counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gonzalez thinking.
Gonzalez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rockhold.
Rockhold keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice sprawl there from Rockhold as Gonzalez shoots in.
Gonzalez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rockhold.
Gonzalez takes one to the side of the head.
Rockhold tries for a takedown but Gonzalez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Rockhold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rockhold rushes Gonzalez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gonzalez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rockhold smiles and moves away.
Luke Rockhold has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Gonzalez.

Gonzalez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockhold works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rockhold seems keen to control Gonzalez's posture.
Gonzalez trying to control the position from guard on top but Rockhold is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gonzalez wants to get up but he can't break Rockhold's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Gonzalez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gonzalez tries to stand but Rockhold is controlling from the bottom.

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.
Gonzalez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rockhold misses with a strike from the bottom.
Rockhold manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gonzalez's best efforts.
Luke Rockhold overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gonzalez wants to pass to mount but Rockhold is defending the position.

Gonzalez is looking for a kimura here.
Rockhold wants to control but Gonzalez is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockhold is pressing down on Gonzalez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Rockhold looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rockhold seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Rockhold has a closed guard, preventing Gonzalez from standing up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rockhold wants to clinch up but Gonzalez keeps it at a distance.
Gonzalez fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four 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.
Gonzalez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rockhold as he jumps to the side.
No luck for Gonzalez with that takedown attempt.
Rockhold dives in for a single leg takedown but Gonzalez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rockhold goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rockhold is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gonzalez can do to turn this around?
Gonzalez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Luke Rockhold is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gonzalez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gonzalez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rockhold sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gonzalez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rockhold but Rockhold pushes him off and we're back to square one.
As Gonzalez tries to get set, Rockhold tries to push him back and clinch up but Gonzalez manages to avoid the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Rockhold dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on George Gonzalez's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Rockhold takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Luke Rockhold has been cut.
Rockhold fails with the takedown.
Gonzalez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rockhold defends it nicely.
Gonzalez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gonzalez punishes Rockhold's body with a nice straight punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rockhold shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gonzalez but Gonzalez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gonzalez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Gonzalez breaks the clinch.
Rockhold dodges the punch combination from Gonzalez.
Gonzalez wants to clinch up but Rockhold keeps it at a distance.
Gonzalez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rockhold circles away.
Rockhold tries to counter with a takedown but Gonzalez is quick to defend against it.
Luke Rockhold has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George Gonzalez.
Gonzalez shoots in but no luck this time.
Gonzalez throws a wild body kick that Rockhold sees coming a mile off.
Gonzalez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rockhold feinted with a counter takedown.
Gonzalez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rockhold works Gonzalez's body with a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockhold misses with a takedown attempt - Gonzalez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gonzalez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rockhold fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gonzalez avoids it really well and circles away.
Rockhold will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rockhold throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick by Gonzalez misses
and Rockhold counters with a two punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Gonzalez closes the distance and clinches.
Gonzalez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gonzalez blocks an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzalez is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rockhold is defending well.

Rockhold drags the fight down to the ground.
Gonzalez wants to pass the guard but Rockhold is keeping the position.
Gonzalez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rockhold. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rockhold has Gonzalez pulled in close to control his posture.
Gonzalez wants to get up but he can't break Rockhold's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rockhold doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gonzalez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rockhold is keeping the position for now.
Gonzalez trying to control the position from guard on top but Rockhold is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gonzalez tries to clinch up but Rockhold circles away and keeps his distance.
Rockhold shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gonzalez defends it nicely.
Gonzalez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rockhold at a distance.
George Gonzalez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luke Rockhold is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rockhold shoots in for a double leg but Gonzalez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to George Gonzalez.
Well Rockhold has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Rockhold!