PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Don Stewart (ranked 1826 p4p, 227 weight class) and Ronnie Rolla (ranked 915 p4p, 122 weight class). Rolla has chosen Hit 'Em Up as his entrance music. 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 Ronnie Rolla was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Stewart
vs
Rolla

183 cm
28
187 lbs
17 - 8 - 1

185 cm
27
200 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Red Light Coffeeshop

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

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 17 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Don Stewart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ronnie Rolla!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Gregory Folan and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stewart moves out of range of the strikes.
Stewart attempts a counter takedown but Rolla avoids it well and moves away.
Rolla throws a shot to the body.
Stewart tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rolla manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A nice side step and Rolla releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Rolla lands a slapping body shot.
Rolla circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stewart is looking to clinch but Rolla is avoiding it.
Stewart lands a glancing blow to the side of Rolla's head.
Rolla looks to land a combination but Stewart avoids it well.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rolla swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A countering left hand to the body from Rolla misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stewart drives through and clinches with Rolla against the cage.
Stewart working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Stewart misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rolla prevents a body shot from Stewart.
Stewart throws a head punch that misses.
Stewart can't find room to land a body shot as Rolla controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rolla blocking some punches.
Stewart pushes Rolla back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rolla blocks an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stewart.
Stewart misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stewart lands an uppercut.
Rolla pushes Stewart back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stewart scores with a shoulder strike.
Still in the clinch, Stewart scores with a nice short uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rolla takes a shot to the head.
Stewart misses with a body punch.
Rolla blocks an uppercut.
Stewart working aggressively here.
A short right from Rolla.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stewart misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Stewart displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rolla up against the cage.
Stewart blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Rolla's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Stewart fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rolla, pushing him back against the cage.
Stewart working aggressively here.
Rolla lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Stewart blocks a body shot from Rolla.
Rolla is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Stewart throws a punch but it's blocked by Rolla.

Rolla's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stewart takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Stewart tries to clinch but Rolla is having none of it.
Rolla looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rolla lands an overhand right.

Stewart forces Rolla back against the cage and clinches.
Stewart avoiding damage as Rolla throws knees to the body.
Stewart lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rolla backwards.
Stewart tries to throw a body punch but Rolla avoids it by throwing Stewart back against the cage.
Stewart misses with a punch on the inside.
Stewart throws a punch but it's blocked by Rolla.
Stewart misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stewart tries to throw a body punch but Rolla avoids it by throwing Stewart back against the cage.
Rolla has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Stewart seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Rolla can turn it around.
Stewart has a couple of punches blocked by Rolla.
Stewart is looking to control Rolla's arms but Rolla gets an underhook and turns him. Now Stewart has his back to the cage.
Stewart is looking to take this one to the mat.
Rolla lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Stewart or not.
Come on Stewart - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Stewart can't find room to land a body shot as Rolla controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stewart goes for a takedown attempt but Rolla pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rolla fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Stewart looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Stewart throws a jab but it's blocked by Rolla.
Stewart doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rolla counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Stewart. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stewart ducks under a wild hook from Rolla.
Stewart appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Stewart takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ronnie Rolla seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rolla circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rolla looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stewart fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rolla thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stewart drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rolla sprawls and moves away.
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 Don Stewart will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rolla ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stewart moves away.
Rolla misses with a two punch combination.
Stewart drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rolla sprawls and moves away.
Rolla displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rolla paws at him with a jab and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stewart doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stewart.
Don Stewart has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Stewart tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rolla's elbow.
Stewart misses with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stewart throws a punch but it's blocked by Rolla.
Stewart lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rolla misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stewart working aggressively here.
Stewart fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stewart misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stewart is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Rolla lands a right hand.
Stewart throws a head punch that misses.
Stewart can't find room to land a body shot as Rolla controls the action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stewart.
A head punch on the inside from Stewart fails to land.
Stewart keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rolla's efforts to push away.
Rolla lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stewart backwards.

Rolla breaks the clinch.
Rolla looks to land a combination but Stewart avoids it well.
Rolla throws out a powerful jab.
Stewart closes the distance and clinches up with Rolla, looking for a takedown. Stewart pushes Rolla against the cage but Rolla circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rolla feints and then cracks Stewart's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stewart down.
Rolla connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rolla fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Stewart with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rolla counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
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!
A head kick by Rolla misses

and Stewart counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Stewart is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Stewart trying to pass the guard but Rolla defending well.
Rolla is trying to stand up here but Stewart is controlling him well.
Rolla on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rolla wants to get back to his feet.
Stewart slows the pace down in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rolla is not content to let Stewart control the position.
Stewart lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Stewart 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.
Stewart is looking to take a break and control but Rolla is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Stewart thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stewart is thwarting Rolla's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stewart takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stewart trying to control the action but Rolla is working from the bottom.
Rolla wants to get back to his feet.
Stewart wants to pass the guard but Rolla is defending well.
Stewart looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rolla with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Stewart seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rolla does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rolla is trying to stand.
Stewart throwing shots but Rolla is blocking nicely.
Rolla tries to get to full guard but Stewart has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ronnie Rolla will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Stewart has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rolla finds it's way round the side to connect with Stewart's head.
Rolla moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rolla scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Rolla tries to keep at a distance but Stewart has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rolla slowing the pace effectively.
Rolla blocks a body shot from Stewart.
Stewart lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stewart lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stewart lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Stewart has Rolla pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rolla manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Stewart has a couple of punches blocked by Rolla.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rolla.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rolla breaks the clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Rolla. Those never looked like landing.
Stewart half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Rolla throws a shot from downtown. Stewart moves away and avoids it.
Stewart appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Rolla throws a low kick but it's checked well by Stewart.
Stewart motions for Rolla to come forward. Stewart throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rolla unleashes a big counter combination but Stewart bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Stewart tries to clinch but Rolla moves out of range.
Rolla changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rolla lands a lovely overhand right.
Rolla swats away the attempt to clinch by Stewart.
Rolla cracks a nice hook into Stewart's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rolla looks to score with a jab to the body but Stewart is just out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rolla.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch but Rolla swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stewart takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch but Rolla swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rolla looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stewart fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stewart tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rolla manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rolla has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Stewart.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stewart tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stewart tries to clinch there but Rolla circles away.
Rolla connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rolla looks to land a combination. Stewart sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rolla throws a leg kick

and Stewart counters with a single leg into guard. Rolla didn't expect that.
Stewart looking to pass the guard.
Stewart stays in close to Rolla's body and controls the position.
Rolla looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Stewart won't allow Rolla to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stewart postures up in Rolla's guard and throws a big left but Rolla blocks it.
Stewart trying to control the position from guard on top but Rolla is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Stewart stops Rolla from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rolla swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Stewart counters with a takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rolla seems a little lost for a moment, as Stewart dominates the positioning.
Stewart wants to control but Rolla is keeping him busy.
Stewart working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ronnie Rolla comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rolla 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ronnie Rolla!
Our winner, Ronnie Rolla, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.