PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Judson Rocha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miroslav Stefanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Rocha
vs
Stefanov

199 cm
22
193 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

173 cm
25
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid 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 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Judson Rocha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Miroslav Stefanov!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stefanov misses with a combination
and Rocha counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stefanov misses with a shot to the body
and Stefanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stefanov throws a right hand that misses
and Rocha cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Rocha drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Stefanov wants to improve his position but instead Rocha has moved into half guard.
Rocha is thwarting Stefanov's attempts to control the position.
Rocha not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Stefanov is trying is best to control the position here.
Stefanov is looking to get back to full guard here but Rocha has managed to pass to side control instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stefanov is trying to control Rocha's posture but Rocha avoids it.
Stefanov holds on to Rocha's head and controls the position momentarily.
Stefanov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Stefanov is looking to regain half guard here but Rocha keeps moving and retains side control.
Stefanov is looking to get back to his feet here but Rocha is keeping cool and he's managed to take Stefanov's back.
Rocha biding his time, controlling Stefanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rocha is looking to control Stefanov but Stefanov is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Stefanov tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Stefanov is trying to escape the mount.
Rocha is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Rocha will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stefanov is wriggling around trying to escape.

Rocha moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Stefanov has worked his arm free - good work by Stefanov!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rocha wants to stand but Stefanov is controlling his arm.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stefanov misses with a body shot.
Rocha blocks a jab.
Rocha is looking to counter the offense by Stefanov and move into the clinch.
Rocha keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stefanov.

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.
Rocha dodges the punch combination from Stefanov.
Rocha wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Stefanov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rocha is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Stefanov.

Rocha tries to keep at a distance but Stefanov has taken the fight into the clinch.

Stefanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Stefanov clinches.
Stefanov wants to take the fight to the mat but Rocha manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Stefanov pulls guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stefanov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stefanov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rocha is one step ahead there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Stefanov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rocha throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stefanov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Judson Rocha dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rocha drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Rocha fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stefanov is looking to reverse the position.
Rocha wants to stand but Stefanov is controlling his arm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stefanov tries to improve position but can't.
Stefanov can't do much from the bottom here.
Stefanov tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Rocha easily slips into full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha looking to control and managing it successfully.
Stefanov is trying to escape the mount.
Stefanov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Stefanov just holding on.
Stefanov tries to lock up and control but Rocha gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A nice elbow there by Rocha.
Rocha unloads with some shots from mount but Stefanov bucks and avoids them well.
Stefanov working to try and regain half guard.

Rocha working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Stefanov wants to hold on but Rocha pushes him away.
Rocha thowing shots but they're missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stefanov tries to control Rocha's body but Rocha pushes him off. Stefanov squirms to his side and now Rocha has his back!
Rocha is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stefanov can do to turn this around?
Rocha is riding his opponent, not letting Stefanov buck him off.
Stefanov is really stuck here.

Stefanov defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Rocha's arms.
Rocha really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Stefanov.

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.

Rocha has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Rocha is not going to allow Stefanov to sit and survive in this position.
Stefanov rolls, trying to escape but Rocha keeps control of the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Rocha is looking for the choke from the back position but Stefanov is controlling his hands well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Judson Rocha dominated that second round.
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!

Stefanov clinches with his opponent.
Rocha stalling in the clinch but Stefanov improves position.
Stefanov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rocha to keep the fight standing.
Rocha is trying to break the clinch but Stefanov is controlling him.
Rocha is trying to break free.
Stefanov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rocha prevents it.
Rocha is trying to drag Stefanov to the mat but Stefanov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocha tries for a takedown but Stefanov manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stefanov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rocha to keep the fight standing.
Judson Rocha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miroslav Stefanov.
Rocha misses with a knee to the head.
Rocha tries to pull guard but Stefanov holds him up against the cage and eventually Rocha drops back down to his feet.
Rocha throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short left from Stefanov.
Rocha struggles to land a body shot inside as Stefanov controls his hands.
Rocha really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Stefanov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rocha is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stefanov avoids a wild elbow strike from Rocha.
Rocha has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Stefanov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rocha changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stefanov fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Stefanov closes the distance and clinches.

Stefanov lands a takedown into guard.

Rocha working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stefanov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stefanov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rocha escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Stefanov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Stefanov lands a couple of elbows.

Rocha is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Stefanov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stefanov is looking to pass into half guard but Rocha pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Rocha is in guard.

Stefanov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Miroslav Stefanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stefanov is trying to keep Rocha in close.

Stefanov looking for a guillotine here but Rocha defends easily.
Judson Rocha is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rocha postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Miroslav Stefanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rocha has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Judson Rocha!