PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lew Rockwell (ranked 2787 p4p, 331 weight class) and Diego Lupertazzi (ranked 2167 p4p, 272 weight class). Rockwell's entrance music is Like a Rock. A fine choice. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Rockwell
vs
Lupertazzi

178 cm
30
192 lbs
12 - 8 - 1

183 cm
34
185 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lew Rockwell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Diego Lupertazzi!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, David Schapiro and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Rockwell. Lupertazzi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rockwell takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rockwell fails to land the takedown.
Lupertazzi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rockwell tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lupertazzi defends well and Rockwell ends up having to push Lupertazzi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rockwell shoots in for a takedown but Lupertazzi shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lew Rockwell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lupertazzi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Rockwell counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rockwell.
Rockwell looking to pass the guard.

Lupertazzi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rockwell can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rockwell stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lupertazzi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockwell is working hard here to advance position.
Lupertazzi trying to keep a closed guard but Rockwell is proving a slippery customer.

Rockwell drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Lupertazzi dives on top into guard.

Rockwell working for a triangle but Lupertazzi defends it easily.

Rockwell is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rockwell is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lupertazzi postures up in Rockwell's guard and throws a big left but Rockwell blocks it.
Rockwell keeping moving, preventing Lupertazzi from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Rockwell advances position into side control!

Rockwell is trying to get an arm triangle but Lupertazzi is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lupertazzi gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Rockwell with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Rockwell has control of Lupertazzi's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Lupertazzi regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Lupertazzi defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Rockwell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupertazzi slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

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

Lupertazzi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Rockwell is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Lupertazzi works his way to full guard. Good work.

Rockwell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lupertazzi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rockwell has managed to get both his arms back between Lupertazzi's legs - danger averted.
Rockwell sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Lupertazzi's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lupertazzi wants to control but Rockwell is keeping busy.

Rockwell is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lupertazzi doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rockwell.
Rockwell trying to mount his opponent but Lupertazzi defends it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lew Rockwell dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Lupertazzi looks to score with a jab to the body but Rockwell is just out of range.
Rockwell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rockwell shoots in but Lupertazzi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rockwell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lupertazzi.
Lupertazzi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rockwell slips under a jab.
Lupertazzi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Lupertazzi takes a swing at Rockwell's ribcage but misses.
Lupertazzi throws a hook to the side of Rockwell's head but Rockwell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rockwell on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A jab from Lupertazzi finds it's way through Rockwell's defenses.

Lupertazzi forces Rockwell back against the cage and clinches.
Rockwell takes a shot to the head.
Rockwell is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lupertazzi to keep the fight standing.
Rockwell tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lupertazzi just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lew Rockwell. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupertazzi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rockwell jumps guard but Lupertazzi turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Lupertazzi breaks from the clinch.

Rockwell shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Lupertazzi's guard.
Lupertazzi working a defensive guard here.

Lupertazzi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rockwell advances to half guard.
Lupertazzi is pressing down on Rockwell's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rockwell pushes down on Lupertazzi's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lupertazzi wants to control but Rockwell is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rockwell is pressing down on Lupertazzi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lupertazzi is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell is thwarting Lupertazzi's attempts to control the position.

Rockwell seems to be working for a kimura but Lupertazzi defends the submission attempt.

Lupertazzi actively working from the bottom here.
Rockwell works his way into side control.
Rockwell has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Lupertazzi!
Rockwell takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
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!

Rockwell looking for the choke but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rockwell is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Lupertazzi defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Rockwell looking for the choke but no joy.
Lupertazzi wants to escape the position.

Rockwell looking for the RNC.

Rockwell looking for the RNC.
Lupertazzi turns into Rockwell and is now in his guard.
Rockwell preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell looking for a sweep. Not yet Rockwell, not yet.
Rockwell is trying to keep Lupertazzi in close.
Lupertazzi wants to control from the top but Rockwell keeps moving.
Rockwell trying to keep a closed guard but Lupertazzi is proving a slippery customer.
Lupertazzi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Rockwell working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Lupertazzi has passed into half guard!

Lupertazzi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rockwell is just riding it out for now. Lupertazzi eventually gives up the hold.
Rockwell wants to improve his position but Lupertazzi is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Lupertazzi 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!

Lupertazzi lands with a good body shot.
Lupertazzi stuns Rockwell with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rockwell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lupertazzi's waist but Lupertazzi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rockwell off to one side.
Rockwell is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lupertazzi.
Diego Lupertazzi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rockwell takes a swing at Lupertazzi's ribcage but misses.

Lupertazzi instigates a clinch.
Rockwell is trying to pull guard but Lupertazzi has him pressed against the cage.

Lupertazzi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Lupertazzi as Rockwell shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lew Rockwell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed right hand from Lupertazzi misses the target.
Rockwell changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rockwell avoids the body shot from Lupertazzi.
Rockwell throws a right hand that misses
and Lupertazzi counters with a straight right hand.
Rockwell misses with a takedown attempt
letting Lupertazzi counter with a right hand.
Rockwell defending well as Lupertazzi loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupertazzi slaps away a takedown attempt from Rockwell, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rockwell. Lupertazzi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Despite the aggression on Lupertazzi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Rockwell changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lupertazzi tries to avoid it but Rockwell manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lupertazzi to the ground. Lupertazzi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Diego Lupertazzi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rockwell tries for a takedown but Lupertazzi circles away easily
and Lupertazzi counters with a straight right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lupertazzi cracks Rockwell with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Lupertazzi moves into the clinch successfully.
Rockwell is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lupertazzi to keep the fight standing.

Lupertazzi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lupertazzi dodges the punch combination from Rockwell.
Lupertazzi takes a swing at Rockwell's ribcage but misses.
Rockwell shoots in looking for a takedown but Lupertazzi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rockwell's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lupertazzi misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lupertazzi scores with a hook.
Rockwell staying out of range there.
Lupertazzi cracks Rockwell with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rockwell shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Lupertazzi keeping full guard, as Rockwell tries to pass.

Lupertazzi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rockwell is aware though and is defending well.
Rockwell passes Lupertazzi's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rockwell wants to free his trapped foot but Lupertazzi is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Rockwell looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupertazzi manages to get to full guard.
Rockwell won't allow Lupertazzi to sweep him here.
Lupertazzi is trying to control the position but Rockwell postures up.

Rockwell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rockwell passes Lupertazzi's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rockwell tries to pass to full mount but Lupertazzi defends it.
Lupertazzi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Lupertazzi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Rockwell is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Rockwell is looking for a kimura here.

Lupertazzi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rockwell pulls his head out easily.
Lupertazzi trying to control here.

Lupertazzi with the active half guard here but Rockwell passes nicely into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diego Lupertazzi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lupertazzi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Lupertazzi!