PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alberto Rossi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Battock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Alberto Rossi has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Alberto Rossi seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Rossi
vs
Battock

180 cm
25
165 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

166 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Hope MMA: Island Nutritions

After School Syndicate

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alberto Rossi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, John Battock!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Bart Greer and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rossi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Battock looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Battock takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rossi connects with a crisp jab.
Rossi throws a body shot but no joy.
Rossi definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Battock lands a jab to Rossi's midsection.
Battock just misses with a punch to the body.
Rossi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Rossi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Battock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rossi.
Battock looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Battock lands a nice looking body kick.
Rossi avoids the body shot from Battock.

Rossi forces Battock back against the cage and clinches.
Battock misses with some punches.
Rossi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Battock misses with a short punch on the inside.
Battock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rossi misses with a punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Battock misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rossi wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi is trying to stall.
Rossi scores with a shot to the side of Battock's head.
Battock misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rossi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Battock misses with some punches.
Rossi blocks a body shot from Battock.
A body shot lands from Battock.
Battock working aggressively here.
Rossi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rossi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Battock backwards.
Battock fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rossi scores with a shot to the side of Battock's head.
Rossi tries to circle away but Battock has him pinned against the cage.
Battock gets through Rossi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Battock swings wildly with an uppercut but Rossi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Battock swings wildly with an uppercut but Rossi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Battock tries a body shot but Rossi blocks it.
Rossi misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossi blocks an uppercut.
Battock tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Battock scores with a shoulder strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A right hand to the body from Rossi.
Battock has a couple of punches blocked by Rossi.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Battock.
Rossi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Rossi lands a left hand.
Battock misses with the head strike.
Battock lands a left hand.
Rossi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rossi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Battock working aggressively here.
Rossi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Battock blocks a body shot from Rossi.
Rossi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rossi prevents a body shot from Battock.
Battock lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rossi backwards.
Battock misses with a punch on the inside.
Rossi tries to circle away but Battock has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossi misses with a body punch.
Battock swings wildly with an uppercut but Rossi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Battock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rossi tries to break free but Battock pushes him back against the cage.
Battock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Battock blocks a body shot from Rossi.
Battock throws a punch but it's blocked by Rossi.
Battock lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rossi backwards.
Battock misses with a body punch.
A left hand lands to the body for Battock.
Battock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A left hand lands to the body for Battock.
Battock scores with a shoulder strike.
Rossi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Battock softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A hook to the body from Battock.
Battock throws a head punch that misses.
Battock misses with a hook from the clinch.
Battock misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Battock misses with a punch on the inside.
Battock scores with a shot to the side of Rossi's head.
Rossi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've been informed that Battock has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Battock misses with a punch on the inside.
Battock misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Battock.
Battock scores with a hook to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Battock fails to land.
Rossi slows down the pace here.
Rossi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Battock throws a head punch that misses.
Battock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Battock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rossi is looking to control Battock's arms but Battock gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rossi has his back to the cage.
Battock misses with a punch on the inside.
Rossi misses with a punch to the body.
Battock goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Battock dominated that round.
That's time! Rossi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rossi moves in looking to clinch but Battock pushes him off.
Battock takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Battock scores with a spinning back kick!
Battock takes a swing at Rossi's ribcage but misses.
Battock slips a jab from Rossi.
Rossi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Battock lands a body shot.

Rossi moves into range and clinches up with Battock.
Battock stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Battock softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rossi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Battock has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rossi throws a punch but it's blocked by Battock.
Battock works on Rossi's body with a couple of short punches.
Rossi blocks a body shot from Battock.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rossi blocking some punches.
Battock lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rossi backwards.
Battock lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rossi misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Battock working aggressively here.
Battock misses with some punches.
Rossi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Battock softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Battock lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rossi backwards.
Rossi blocks an uppercut.
Battock working aggressively here.
Battock gets through Rossi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Battock lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

It looks like Alberto Rossi has been cut.
Battock misses with a body punch.
Battock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rossi's elbow.
Rossi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Battock tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
John Battock seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Battock misses with a hook from the clinch.
Battock working aggressively here.
Battock fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Battock blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Battock swings wildly with an uppercut but Rossi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Still in the clinch, Rossi scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Battock misses with a punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rossi is trying to maintain a safe position but Battock gets an underhook and turns Rossi into the cage.
Rossi lands an uppercut.
Battock throws a head punch that misses.
Rossi takes a shot to the head.
Battock throws a head punch that misses.
Battock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Battock can't find room to land a body shot as Rossi controls the action.
Battock tries to work over Rossi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Battock tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rossi struggles to land a body shot inside as Battock controls his hands.
Rossi throws a punch but it's blocked by Battock.
A head punch on the inside from Battock fails to land.
Rossi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Rossi digs a right hand underneath Battock's ribcage. Battock let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Battock struggles to land a body shot inside as Rossi controls his hands.
Rossi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Battock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Battock can't find room to land a body shot as Rossi controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Battock fails to land.
Rossi struggles to land a body shot inside as Battock controls his hands.
Battock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rossi.
Rossi prevents a body shot from Battock.
Battock lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rossi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rossi blocks a body shot from Battock.
Battock has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Battock swings wildly with an uppercut but Rossi uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Battock.
Rossi blocks an uppercut.
Battock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Battock doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Battock lands a shot to the body.
A short uppercut from Battock.
Battock can't find room to land a body shot as Rossi controls the action.
Battock throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Battock lands with a left to the head.
Battock throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rossis head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Battock lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rossi backwards.
Battock misses with a hook from the clinch.
Battock lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rossi.
Battock tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Battock goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Battock softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Battock lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Battock has a couple of punches blocked by Rossi.
Battock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rossi's elbow.
Battock can't find room to land a body shot as Rossi controls the action.
Rossi digs a right hand underneath Battock's ribcage. Battock let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Battock lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Good body shot from Battock.
Battock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rossi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Battock lands a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Battock showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alberto Rossi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rossi jabs Battock right on the nose. Battock blinks but takes it well.
Rossi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Battock.
Rossi takes a swing at Battock's ribcage but misses.
Rossi tries to close the distance and clinch but Battock swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Battock connects with a solid leg kick.
Battock fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rossi.
Battock is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rossi rather than just go for the knockout.

Rossi clinches up against the cage.
Rossi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rossi is trying to break the clinch but Battock has him pressed against the cage.
Rossi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Battock's elbow.
Battock misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rossi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Battock backwards.
Battock swings wildly with an uppercut but Rossi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Battock lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Battock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rossi's elbow.
Battock tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rossi struggles to land a body shot inside as Battock controls his hands.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Battock misses with a body punch.
Rossi is trying to break the clinch but Battock has him pressed against the cage.
Battock throws a head punch that misses.
Rossi lands a nice shot to the body.
Battock tries to throw a body punch but Rossi avoids it by throwing Battock back against the cage.
Battock throws a head punch that misses.
Rossi is looking to break free of the clinch but Battock has double underhooks.
Rossi is trying to force a seperation but Battock has the dominant position.
Rossi prevents a body shot from Battock.
Rossi tries to throw a body punch but Battock avoids it by throwing Rossi back against the cage.
Good body shot from Battock.
Battock misses with some punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Battock.
Battock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rossi.
Rossi tries to break the clinch but Battock is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rossi.
Rossi stalling.
Battock tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rossi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Still in the clinch, Rossi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Battock throws a punch but it's blocked by Rossi.
Battock misses with a body punch.
Battock swings wildly with an uppercut but Rossi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rossi scores with a shot to the side of Battock's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Battock tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Battock throws a head punch that misses.
A short right from Battock.
Battock misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Battock.
Rossi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rossi.
Rossi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rossi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Battock.
Battock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rossi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rossi is trying to push Battock away but Battock has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Battock fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Battock misses with some punches.
Rossi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Battock backwards.
Rossi prevents a body shot from Battock.
Battock lands with a short shot to the head.
Rossi lands a left hand.
Rossi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Battock misses with the head strike.
Battock misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rossi tries a body shot but Battock blocks it.
Rossi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rossi scores with a shot to the side of Battock's head.
Battock has Rossi pressed against the cage, preventing Rossi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Battock pushes Rossi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Battock lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rossi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Battock backwards.
Battock has a couple of punches blocked by Rossi.
Battock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Battock has a couple of punches blocked by Rossi.
Battock presses Rossi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rossi has had enough of the clinch but Battock keeps him there for the moment.
Battock working aggressively here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rossi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Battock has a couple of punches blocked by Rossi.
Battock misses with a punch on the inside.
Battock has Rossi pressed against the cage, preventing Rossi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rossi is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Battock is keeping busy.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rossi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rossi.
Rossi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rossi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but John Battock just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Alberto Rossi's cut.
That's time! Rossi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rossi cracks a nice hook into Battock's ribs.
Battock fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rossi avoids the body shot from Battock.
Rossi throwing a counter right hand but Battock manages to avoid it.
Rossi misses with a hook.
Battock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rossi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rossi is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Rossi thuds a left hand into Battock's body.
Rossi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Battock ducks under a wild hook from Rossi.
Donk. Rossi catches Battock right on the button with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Battock throws a hook but Rossi blocks it.
As Battock tries to get set, Rossi tries to push him back and clinch up but Battock manages to avoid the attempt.
Rossi throws a jab but it's blocked by Battock.
Battock cracks the inside of Rossi's front leg.
Rossi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Battock stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi throws a lazy right hand but Battock sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Battock throws a body shot but no joy.
Rossi tries to close the distance and clinch but Battock swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rossi backing away here, and Battock unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Rossi throws a shot from downtown. Battock moves away and avoids it.
A jab from Battock misses.
Rossi wants to clinch up but Battock keeps it at a distance.
Battock on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Battock ducks under a wild hook from Rossi.
Battock looks to score with a jab to the body but Rossi is just out of range.
Battock throws a body kick that misses.
Rossi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Battock at a distance.
Battock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rossi moves away.
Battock throws a leg kick but Rossi moved away.
Rossi throwing a counter right hand but Battock manages to avoid it.
Rossi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Battock manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Rossi misses with a looping left.
Rossi tries to clinch up.
Battock keeps Rossi at a distance using the push kick.
Rossi throws a shot to the body.
Rossi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Battock doesn't seem bothered though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Battock looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rossi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A shot to the body from Rossi misses
and Battock counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Battock swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rossi.
Rossi lands a nice looking body shot.
Rossi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Battock thows a body kick. Rossi tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Battock walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Rossi cracks Battock with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Rossi misses with a looping right.
Rossi misses the shot to the body.
Battock misses with an uppercut. Rossi saw that one coming.
Rossi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Battock under the eye.
Battock throws a push kick but Rossi slaps the foot to one side.
Rossi ducks under a wild hook from Battock.

Rossi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Battock fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Battock fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Rossi fails to land.
Rossi takes a shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Rossi fails to land.
Battock throws a punch but it's blocked by Rossi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Battock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rossi.
Battock lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Battock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Battock working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rossi working hard to break the clinch.
Battock lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Battock can't find room to land a body shot as Rossi controls the action.
Rossi stalls.
Battock swings wildly with an uppercut but Rossi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rossi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Battock tries a body shot but Rossi blocks it.
Battock cracks Rossi with a nice body shot.
Nice body punch from Battock.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Nice body punch from Battock - that landed with a thud.
Battock has a couple of punches blocked by Rossi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but John Battock will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alberto Rossi'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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Battock lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Battock avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Battock loads up on a big right hand but Rossi slips the punch.
Battock throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Battock swings for the body but Rossi moves out of range.
Battock paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rossi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rossi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rossi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rossi misses with a series of wild punches.
Battock now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Rossi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Battock was well out of range. Poor timing from Rossi.
And Battock responds with a good body kick, but Rossi manages to step out the way in time.
Battock avoids the body shot from Rossi.
Battock connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi connects with a looping right hand.
Battock misses with a kick to the body.
Battock throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rossi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Battock misses with an attempted mid kick.
It looked like Rossi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Battock.
Rossi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Battock keeps the fight on the outside.
Battock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rossi will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Rossi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Battock was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Nice defenses there by Battock.
Battock lands a right hook to the body.
Rossi lands with a nice body punch.
Battock scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossi scores with a body shot.
Battock throws a lazy right hand but Rossi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Battock on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rossi lands a nice looking body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rossi thuds his right hand into Battock's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Battock moves out of range as Rossi strikes.
Battock now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Battock thows a leg kick but Rossi checks it
and Rossi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Battock is looking to land body kicks.
Rossi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Battock looks to land a body kick but Rossi moved away.
Battock pushes Rossi away with a front kick.
Rossi looks to score with a jab to the body but Battock is just out of range.
Battock has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rossi finds it's way round the side to connect with Battock's head.
Alberto Rossi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossi just misses with a punch to the body.
Battock is looking to score with low kicks.
Rossi is looking to counter the offense by Battock and move into the clinch.
Battock throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rossi punishes Battock's body with a nice straight punch.
Rossi wants to clinch but Battock slips to the side
enabling Battock to counter with a crisp jab.
Rossi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Battock misses with a jab to the body
and Rossi counters with a straight right hand.
Battock buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rossi lands a body shot.
Battock throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Rossi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Battock is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Rossi lands with a shot to the body.
Rossi throws a predictable looking body shot
and Battock counters with a straight right hand.
Rossi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from Rossi misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Battock walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rossi misses with a straight left.
Battock tries a quick counter leg kick but Rossi is wise to it.
Rossi misses with a double jab.
Battock is trying to counter with his kicks.
Battock swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rossi counters with a nice body shot.
Rossi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Battock. Battock obviously looking to wear him down.
Rossi loads up on a big right hand but Battock slips the punch.
Battock connects with a solid leg kick.
Rossi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Battock moves forwards but Rossi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
John Battock is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Battock throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rossi lands a slapping body shot.
Rossi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alberto Rossi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Battock 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 46:49
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 46:49
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Battock!
John Battock is the new lightweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, John Battock thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.