PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Drew Rossback (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Garcia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Carlos Garcia was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Rossback
vs
Garcia

167 cm
26
160 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

180 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Drew Rossback!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Carlos Garcia!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Josh West and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rossback throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Rossback throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Garcia tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rossback is in Garcia's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rossback's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rossback loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Garcia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Garcia is trying to control the position but Rossback postures up.
Rossback is in close to Garcia's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rossback stopping the sweep attempt from Garcia.
Garcia is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Garcia has his foot on Rossback's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rossback works his way back into a safe position though.
Rossback with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia keeping moving, preventing Rossback from controlling successfully.
Rossback throwing strikes from guard but Garcia blocks nicely.
Garcia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rossback postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Garcia is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rossback works over Garcia with some ground and pound from guard.
Rossback scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossback is looking to work some ground and pound but Garcia has wrist control.
Rossback working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Garcia's head.
Rossback throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rossback might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rossback is looking to work some ground and pound but Garcia has wrist control.
Garcia is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Garcia is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rossback is aware though and is defending well.
Rossback throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Garcia works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Garcia is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Garcia blocks a leg kick.
Rossback fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossback wants to clinch up but Garcia keeps it at a distance.
Garcia swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Rossback connects with a jab.

Garcia gets caught flat footed, as Rossback shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rossback working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've been hearing good reports from Rossback's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Garcia wants to sweep but no luck.
Rossback is looking to work some ground and pound but Garcia has wrist control.
Rossback preventing the sweep.
Garcia keeps trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Garcia utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Garcia really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rossback. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rossback trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rossback is looking to work some ground and pound but Garcia has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia has momentary wrist control but Rossback slips an elbow through the middle.
Rossback sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Garcia working a defensive guard but Rossback passes into half guard.
Rossback throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Garcia looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rossback gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Rossback scores with a nice right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drew Rossback dominated that 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.

Rossback lands a jab to the nose.
Garcia throws a head kick that misses.
Garcia circles away from the clinch attempt.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rossback.
Garcia throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rossback looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Garcia is fending him off so far but Rossback persists. Nope, Garcia circles away and we're back to standing.
Rossback connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Garcia's hands.
Rossback tries to score a power double leg takedown but Garcia sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rossback somewhat.
A jab from Rossback misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rossback shoots in looking for a takedown but Garcia manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rossback's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Drew Rossback. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Garcia tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rossback swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Garcia shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rossback but Rossback pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Garcia fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rossback avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia tries to clinch but Rossback is having none of it.
Garcia throws a sloppy head kick and Rossback moves out of range easily.
Rossback jabs Garcia right on the nose. Garcia blinks but takes it well.

Rossback closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Garcia to the mat! Garcia manages to get full guard.
Garcia working a defensive guard here.
Rossback trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rossback is looking to work some ground and pound but Garcia has wrist control.
Garcia is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rossback working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rossback gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Garcia shoots for a double leg takedown but Rossback sprawls well. He's pushed Garcia's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Garcia is breathing heavily.
Garcia takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rossback shoots for a takedown but Garcia saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Rossback!
Nice shot lands for Rossback.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Garcia.
Rossback misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Garcia darts in looking for a takedown but Rossback gets double underhooks and turns Garcia into the cage.
Rossback slips a jab and a cross from Garcia.
Rossback is looking to counter punch.
Rossback stalks Garcia and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Garcia's face. Garcia staggers backwards, shaken.
Rossback dives in for a single leg takedown but Garcia sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossback lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Rossback will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rossback fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Rossback manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Garcia on his heels. He'll look to pass Garcia's guard now, I'm sure.
Garcia is looking to stand up but Rossback isn't so interested in that idea.
Rossback throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Garcia wants to control but Rossback passes easily into half guard.
Rossback missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rossback stops Garcia from getting back to his feet.
Rossback missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rossback lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rossback is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Garcia can do to turn this around?
Garcia keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rossback scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rossback sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Garcia defending well though.
Rossback scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Garcia wants to get back to full guard.
Garcia trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drew Rossback dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Garcia looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Some wild striking there from Rossback.
Rossback dives in and grabs Garcia's left leg, looking for a takedown. Garcia pushes down on Rossback's head and hops out.
Garcia tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rossback paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Garcia goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Drew Rossback seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rossback lands a jab to Garcia's midsection.
Garcia shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Drew Rossback is winning the standup battle so far.
Rossback just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rossback with a hook.
The crowd cheers as Rossback lands an impressive looking overhand right. Garcia doesn't seem phased though.
Rossback lands with a good body shot.
Rossback stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rossback ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossback scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rossback throws a right hand that Garcia ducks under and follows up with a left that Garcia also avoids with ease.
Rossback works the jab nicely.
Garcia gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Garcia takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Garcia shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rossback as he jumps to the side.
Garcia fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rossback misses with a series of wild punches.
Garcia tries to counter with a clinch but Rossback shakes him off and moves away.

Rossback gets a double leg takedown into Garcia's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Garcia is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rossback controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossback stops Garcia from standing up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rossback accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Garcia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Rossback stands up from Garcia's guard - Rossback perhaps looking for a knockout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters circle momentarily. Rossback darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Garcia tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rossback swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Rossback closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rossback lands in his opponent's guard.
Rossback has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rossback chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Garcia keeping full guard, as Rossback tries to pass.
Rossback with a flurry of punches that miss.

Garcia is working an open guard so Rossback takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Good shot there by Rossback.
A right-left combo lands from Rossback.
Rossback throws the kick towards the body but Garcia avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia moves in looking to clinch but Rossback pushes him off.
Rossback thinks about countering with a body kick.
A head kick misses from Garcia.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Garcia is defended easily by Rossback.
Drew Rossback has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carlos Garcia.
Rossback throws a looping overhand right but Garcia ducks down to avoid it.
Garcia unleashes a big counter combination but Rossback bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Rossback stuffs the takedown.
Rossback connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Garcia's hands.
Garcia shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rossback defends it nicely.
Rossback scores with a three punch combo!

And that's the end of the fight!
Drew Rossback showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rossback 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Drew Rossback!