PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lucas Vasquez (ranked 3692 p4p, 427 weight class) and Roberto Rocha (ranked 8856 p4p, 679 weight class). Roberto Rocha has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Lucas Vasquez's chin.

Vasquez
vs
Rocha

190 cm
25
190 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Fanatic Inc.
Aspire Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lucas Vasquez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Roberto Rocha!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rocha throws a right hand that Vasquez ducks under and follows up with a left that Vasquez also avoids with ease.

Rocha closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Vasquez to the mat! Vasquez manages to get full guard.
Rocha trying to stand up but can't free himself from Vasquez's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vasquez is working an open guard so Rocha takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Vasquez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rocha circles away.
Rocha takes a swing at Vasquez's ribcage but misses.
Rocha throws a body shot but no joy.
Rocha throws a sloppy head kick and Vasquez moves out of range easily.
Rocha swinging wildly here.

Vasquez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rocha tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Vasquez is trying to get an arm triangle but Rocha is defending well.
Rocha is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rocha looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Vasquez is working for a submission of some sort.

Rocha looking for submissions off his back.

Vasquez is looking for a kimura but Rocha is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Vasquez to get the leverage.
Vasquez is breathing heavily.

Vasquez is looking for a kimura here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rocha tries to roll over but Vasquez keeps him under control.

Rocha actively working from the bottom here.
Vasquez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocha is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rocha is trying to control but can't.

Rocha looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Vasquez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Vasquez is looking for a kimura but Rocha is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Vasquez to get the leverage.

Vasquez seems to be working for a kimura but Rocha defends the submission attempt.

Rocha looking for submissions off his back.

Vasquez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rocha sees it coming and defends easily.
Rocha is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocha makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rocha.

Vasquez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rocha trying to keep a closed guard but Vasquez is proving a slippery customer.

Vasquez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Vasquez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vasquez wants to pass the guard but Rocha is keeping the position.

Rocha is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Vasquez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rocha wants to sweep here but Vasquez controlling him for the moment.

Rocha looking for a guillotine here but Vasquez defends easily.
Vasquez stands and throws Rocha's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Vasquez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rocha is trying to get back to half guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Vasquez is trying to get an arm triangle but Rocha is defending well.

Vasquez tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Vasquez has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Vasquez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rocha struggling a bit here.

Vasquez looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Rocha manages to work his way to half guard, despite Vasquez's best efforts.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rocha trying to control from the bottom.

Vasquez is looking for a kimura here.

Rocha looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Vasquez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rocha has managed to free his arm - good work.

Vasquez is working for a kimura but Rocha is defending it quite comfortably.
Rocha trying to control here.

Vasquez is trying to work for a kimura but Rocha is defending well.
Rocha is looking for a sweep. Vasquez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rocha moves into full guard.

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

Vasquez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Vasquez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Vasquez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vasquez stopping the sweep attempt from Rocha.

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

Vasquez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rocha trying to hold on to Vasquez's head to control him but Vasquez postures up.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Vasquez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Vasquez is working for a kimura but Rocha is defending it quite comfortably.
Rocha trying to hold on to Vasquez's head to control him but Vasquez postures up.
Rocha is looking to improve his position.

Rocha actively working from the bottom here.
Rocha trying to control here.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Vasquez is looking for a kimura but Rocha is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Vasquez to get the leverage.

Vasquez seems to be working for a kimura but Rocha defends the submission attempt.
Rocha is trying to control but can't.

Rocha looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Vasquez is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Rocha is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Lucas Vasquez!
Lucas Vasquez is the new middleweight champion!