PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pierre Rocha (ranked 25686 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Leija (ranked 6591 p4p, 0 weight class). Richard Leija will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Rocha
vs
Leija

164 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

200 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pierre Rocha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Richard Leija!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Leija closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rocha did well to prevent Leija getting side control.
Rocha tries to get to full guard but Leija has control of the leg.
Leija tries to pass to full mount but Rocha defends it.
Rocha really is a fat lump.
Rocha wants to improve his position but Leija is controlling well.
Rocha makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rocha.
Leija trying to control but Rocha is working from the bottom.
Rocha wants to hit a switch here but Leija passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Rocha there!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rocha is looking to get to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocha is working hard here to advance position.
Rocha wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Leija.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leija raining down shots from the mount!
Leija throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Rocha because Leija loaded up on that one.
Rocha manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Leija thows a huge punch but Rocha dodges it nicely.
Rocha might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Leija controlling the pace.

Leija is looking for a kimura here.
Rocha is trying to control but can't.
Rocha regains full guard. Nicely done.
Leija trying to control the position from guard on top but Rocha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leija controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leija wants to control from the top but Rocha keeps moving.
Rocha looking to hit a scissor sweep but Leija is one step ahead there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Leija trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Rocha has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Leija can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Leija is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Leija looking to pass the guard.
Leija trying to control but Rocha is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocha manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Leija manages to get himself to full guard.

Rocha throws a big elbow that misses.
Leija is trying to keep Rocha in close.
Rocha throws a big right hand that misses.
Rocha controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Leija is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Leija pulls Rocha in close to prevent any damage.
Rocha preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rocha trying to control the position from guard on top but Leija is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leija controls Rocha momentarily but Rocha frees himself.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Leija works Rocha's body with a nice hook.

Leija gets a takedown into half guard.

Rocha has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Leija is on him like a limpet, forcing Rocha back against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rocha ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Rocha no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
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 Pierre Rocha will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rocha dives in for a single leg takedown but Leija sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Leija closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Leija lands in his opponent's guard.
Rocha bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Leija's guard.

Rocha with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rocha is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rocha makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leija thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Leija seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Rocha got a little sloppy there for a moment and Leija has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rocha has managed to get both his arms back between Leija's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rocha cracks Leija with a solid left hand.
Leija looking for a sweep. Not yet Leija, not yet.
Rocha trying to control the position from guard on top but Leija is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leija utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Leija striking off his back but it's not causing Rocha any problems.

Leija is looking for a triangle but Rocha pushes his legs off easily.
Rocha is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rocha working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rocha trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Leija trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Leija has managed to clinch.

Rocha manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Leija must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rocha is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Leija decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rocha, up you get!
Rocha with a lazy takedown attempt

and Leija holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The referee calls for Leija to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leija is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rocha is defending well for now.
Rocha fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pierre Rocha. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rocha jumps guard and drags Leija to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Pierre Rocha overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rocha is trying to keep Leija in close.
Rocha wants to sweep but no luck.
Rocha working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Leija.
Leija is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Rocha is working an open guard so Leija takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Leija darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Rocha tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Leija manages to move to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocha is looking to get to half guard.
Leija unloads with some shots from mount but Rocha bucks and avoids them well.

Leija looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Leija is breathing heavily.
Rocha tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Leija looking to secure an arm triangle but Rocha defends it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rocha is desperately trying to improve his position but Leija has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Leija showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rocha gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Leija to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Leija gets to his feet. Rocha looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Leija avoids a punch combination nicely.

Leija clinches up with Rocha and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocha misses with the head strike.

Leija has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Rocha clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Leija is not going to allow Rocha to sit and survive in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leija is trying to stick to Rocha's back but Rocha is turning into Leija. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Leija's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Rocha.
Rocha throwing strikes but missing.
Rocha preventing the sweep.
Rocha lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Leija has momentary wrist control but Rocha slips an elbow through the middle.
Leija seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Rocha wants to control from the top but Leija keeps moving.
Rocha looking to sit in guard and control but Leija gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leija is looking to work some ground and pound but Rocha has wrist control.
Leija is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Leija trying to control the position from guard on top but Rocha is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rocha 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.

Leija drops back looking for a leg! Rocha is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rocha manages to kick Leija off! Leija jumps back into Rocha's guard.
Leija takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Leija won't allow Rocha to sweep him here.

Rocha is working an open guard so Leija takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Richard Leija seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Leija shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Rocha manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leija throws a head kick that misses

and Rocha counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Rocha is in close to Leija's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Leija is trying to control the position but Rocha postures up.
Rocha controlling from the top position.
Rocha with a nice head shot there.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rocha's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Leija trying to keep a closed guard but Rocha is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocha preventing the sweep.
Rocha scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rocha not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rocha lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rocha not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Leija instigates a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pierre Rocha showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!