PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Darrell Velazquez (ranked 6102 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marston Roberts (ranked 6307 p4p, 0 weight class). Marston Roberts will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Velazquez
vs
Roberts

222 cm
25
215 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

168 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Darrell Velazquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marston Roberts!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Taro Takaoka and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Velazquez tries to sprawl but Roberts drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Roberts wants to lay and pray for a moment but Velazquez keeps working.
Velazquez pushes Roberts off looking to stand but Roberts dives back in and keeps control.
Roberts seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Velazquez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Velazquez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Roberts decides to stand and escape the position.

Roberts closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Velazquez quickly recovers to half guard.
Roberts slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velazquez missing with punches from the bottom.
Roberts seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Roberts is keen to just control but Velazquez is a slippery customer.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ground and pound from Roberts.
Velazquez is trying to control but can't.
Roberts wants to lay and pray for a moment but Velazquez keeps working.
Roberts is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Roberts cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Roberts goes for an armbar but Velazquez turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Velazquez.
Roberts controlling the position.
Velazquez working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts wants to sweep here but Velazquez controlling him for the moment.
Roberts working a defensive guard here.
Roberts can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Velazquez controls the pace.

Velazquez stands and steps away. Roberts gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Roberts looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Roberts escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Roberts closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Velazquez's guard.
Velazquez is trying to control the position but Roberts postures up.
Velazquez wants to control but Roberts passes easily into half guard.
Roberts wants to lay and pray for a moment but Velazquez keeps working.
Velazquez throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Roberts wants to stand up but Velazquez has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Velazquez tries to roll over but Roberts keeps him under control.
Velazquez is pressing down on Roberts's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marston Roberts dominated that round.
That's time! Velazquez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Roberts doesn't manage to clinch there - Velazquez circles away.
Velazquez has a takedown stuffed.

Roberts feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Velazquez trying to keep a closed guard but Roberts is proving a slippery customer.
Roberts is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Velazquez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roberts wants to control from the top but Velazquez keeps moving.
Roberts working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Velazquez's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts trying to control but Velazquez is working from the bottom.

Roberts gets to his feet - Velazquez follows without any prompting.
Velazquez blocks a jab.
Velazquez appears to be looking for a big counter.
Marston Roberts seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Roberts shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Velazquez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Roberts trying to control but Velazquez is working from the bottom.
Roberts stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Velazquez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velazquez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Roberts with a flurry of punches that miss.
Marston Roberts has got the better of the ground game so far.
Velazquez is trying to keep Roberts in close.
Velazquez trying to strike off his back.
Roberts landing some decent shots from guard.
Roberts has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Roberts's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Velazquez wants to control but Roberts passes easily into half guard.

Roberts is trying to work for a kimura but Velazquez is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts not doing much here.
Velazquez trying to control here.
Roberts looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Roberts is working for a kimura but Velazquez is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Still in half guard, Roberts seems content to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Roberts looking to score a takedown here. Velazquez is defending well but Roberts drives through and ends up in Velazquez's guard.
Velazquez controls Roberts momentarily but Roberts frees himself.
Roberts stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Velazquez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Roberts is breathing heavily.
Roberts trying to control but Velazquez is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Velazquez lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marston Roberts showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Roberts pushes Velazquez up against the cage in a clinch.

Roberts pulls guard successfully.
Velazquez is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Roberts wants to stand up but Velazquez is controlling him.
Roberts wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Velazquez is now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roberts is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts missing with punches from the bottom.
Roberts wants to get back to full guard but Velazquez has mounted him!
Roberts tries to control the position but Velazquez now has his back.
Velazquez gets his hands free as Roberts looks to control.
Roberts is trying to remain composed but Velazquez is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Roberts is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Roberts tries to roll but Velazquez sticks to his back.
Velazquez just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Velazquez gets his hands free as Roberts looks to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Velazquez haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Roberts takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Roberts defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Roberts is trying to break free.
Roberts trying to control the hands but Velazquez won't let him.
Velazquez controlling well, preventing Roberts from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Velazquez lands a shot to the body.
Velazquez controls the action.
Velazquez is not going to allow Roberts to sit and survive in this position.
Roberts is trying to break free.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Roberts trying to control the position but Velazquez manages to sink in the hooks.
Darrell Velazquez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marston Roberts is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darrell Velazquez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Roberts has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marston Roberts!