PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Fang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and AJ Rumble (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fang
vs
Rumble

185 cm
26
210 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

189 cm
19
209 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Matthew Fang!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, AJ Rumble!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Andrew Berry and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fang shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fang trying to control but Rumble is working from the bottom.
Fang pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rumble is keeping the position for now.
Fang trying to control the position from guard on top but Rumble is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fang postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rumble keeping moving, preventing Fang from controlling successfully.
Rumble working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fang.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fang is looking to work some ground and pound but Rumble has wrist control.
Rumble keeping moving, preventing Fang from controlling successfully.
Fang throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rumble keeping full guard, as Fang tries to pass.
Fang throws a big elbow that misses.
Rumble working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fang.
Rumble working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fang.
Fang throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Fang throws an elbow that misses. Rumble uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fang's guard. Nice move by Rumble!

Rumble sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Fang doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rumble preventing the sweep.
Rumble tries to free his leg and advance position but Fang is retaining full guard.

Fang is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Fang throws his legs up looking for a submission but Rumble uses it to pass to side control.
Fang struggling a bit here.
Fang tries to improve position but can't.
A lull in the action here as Rumble stalls from top position.
Fang is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rumble is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Fang's shoulder. That is not cool.
Fang is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Fang's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Fang is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fang is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Rumble is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Fang flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Fang tries to hold on but Rumble postures up.
Fang is desperately trying to improve his position but Rumble has a good base and remains in mount.
My spies in Odins Body Workshop inform me that Rumble has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Fang regains half guard.
Fang is looking to control Rumble's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fang avoid being mounted?
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fang tries to roll over but Rumble keeps him under control.
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 Matthew Fang will probably get the nod.
That's time! Fang's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fang shoots and misses
and Rumble connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fang moves forwards but Rumble connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Fang shoots in for a takedown but Rumble shows good takedown defense.
Rumble looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rumble uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rumble stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rumble wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Fang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rumble ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fang moves away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rumble.
Rumble has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fang shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rumble counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rumble defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fang.
Rumble scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fang fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice shot lands for Rumble.
Rumble scores with a decent looking hook.
Rumble throws a good cross that connects.
Rumble thuds a left hand into Fang's body.
Rumble connects with a body shot.
Fang gets caught by a big overhand right and goes down! Rumble gets on top of him and starts throwing some serious punches until the ref intervenes and stops the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). AJ Rumble!
AJ Rumble is the new light heavyweight champion!
A relieved looking AJ Rumble thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.