PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Romulus Fietsora (ranked 2796 p4p, 303 weight class) and DJ Strawberry (ranked 3291 p4p, 353 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Strawberry's choice of entrance music: Beastie Boys-Brass Monkey. DJ Strawberry will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Fietsora
vs
Strawberry

172 cm
33
164 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

185 cm
24
182 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Romulus Fietsora!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, DJ Strawberry!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, William Peck and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fietsora tries to clinch but Strawberry is having none of it.
Strawberry walks into a straight right hand from Fietsora.
Romulus Fietsora seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strawberry throws a head kick that misses.
Strawberry takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Fietsora gets a clinch.

Strawberry drags the fight down to the ground.
Fietsora has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Strawberry is proving hard to escape from.

Strawberry is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fietsora is aware though and is defending well.
Fietsora controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Fietsora might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Strawberry has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Fietsora has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Strawberry has Fietsora pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fietsora manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fietsora softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fietsora manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Fietsora lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Strawberry backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Fietsora.
Fietsora lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Strawberry backwards.
A short body shot lands from Fietsora as the two fighters clinch.
Fietsora lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Strawberry's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fietsora lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Fietsora working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Strawberry jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fietsora walks away with a smile on his face. Strawberry gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Strawberry on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Fietsora. Fietsora obviously looking to wear him down.
Romulus Fietsora is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Strawberry's jab looks to have found its range, popping Fietsora under the eye.
Fietsora avoids the head kick by Strawberry.
Fietsora lands with a slapping head kick.
Strawberry misses with a jab to the body
and Fietsora counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strawberry swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Strawberry keeps the fight on the outside.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Strawberry, as that shot connected.

Fietsora has closed the distance and engaged Strawberry in a clinch.
Fietsora gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Fietsora lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fietsora working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fietsora lands a left hand that snaps the head of Strawberry backwards.
Strawberry gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fietsora.
Strawberry is working for takedown but Fietsora is calmly controlling the position for now.
Romulus Fietsora has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DJ Strawberry.
Fietsora looking for a takedown.
Fietsora lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Strawberry.
Fietsora throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Strawberrys head.
Fietsora makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Fietsora.
Fietsora lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strawberry has Fietsora pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fietsora manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Strawberry wants a takedown.
Fietsora working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fietsora digs a right hand underneath Strawberry's ribcage. Strawberry let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Fietsora lands a nice uppercut.
Strawberry tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Strawberry tries to pull guard but Fietsora won't allow it.
Strawberry looks winded!
Strawberry is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Fietsora to keep the fight standing.
Strawberry has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fietsora avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Fietsora has hold of one of Strawberry's legs. Strawberry is fighting the takedown attempt but Fietsora gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Strawberry is looking to stand back up but Fietsora counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Strawberry.

Fietsora controlling the action here.
Strawberry is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fietsora tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Strawberry.
Strawberry tries to get to full guard but Fietsora has control of the leg.
Fietsora tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Strawberry.
Fietsora prevents Strawberry from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Romulus Fietsora dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fietsora lands a jab to the head.
Fietsora throws a head kick that Strawberry semi-blocks.
Strawberry misses with a left hand
and Fietsora counters with a leg kick.

Fietsora pushes Strawberry up against the cage in a clinch.
Fietsora lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Strawberry or not.
Romulus Fietsora has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A nice left hand lands by Fietsora.
Fietsora lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Strawberry tries to pull guard but Fietsora forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Fietsora lands with a right to the head.
A short right from Fietsora on the inside.
Strawberry is trying to pull guard but Fietsora turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Fietsora is working Strawberry over against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fietsora working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fietsora lands with a left to the head.
Fietsora scores with a shot to the side of Strawberry's head.
Fietsora scores with a shoulder strike.
Strawberry jumps guard but Fietsora turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Romulus Fietsora has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DJ Strawberry.
Fietsora lands a shoulder strike.
Strawberry takes a shot to the head.

Strawberry is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strawberry prevents a takedown attempt there.
Strawberry wants a takedown but no success here.
Strawberry tries to pull guard but Fietsora forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Fietsora lands a hook to the side of the head.
Strawberry can't get the takedown.
Strawberry is breathing heavily.
Strawberry is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Fietsora lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fietsora landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Fietsora lands with a short shot to the head.
Fietsora softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fietsora lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Strawberry is still on wobbly legs! Can Fietsora finish him?

Fietsora lands a takedown into guard.
Strawberry is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Fietsora dives into side control.
Strawberry seems to have recovered his senses.
Romulus Fietsora overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Fietsora wants to stand but Strawberry is controlling his arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fietsora decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Fietsora closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fietsora lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fietsora lands with a right to the head.
Strawberry tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Fietsora smiles and moves away.

Fietsora clinches up with Strawberry and pushes him back against the cage.
Fietsora stalling.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Fietsora.
Fietsora is leaning against Strawberry and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short right from Fietsora.
Fietsora lands an uppercut.
Fietsora lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fietsora is looking to take this one to the mat.

Strawberry pulls Fietsora into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fietsora would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Strawberry has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Official UFC Performance Institute Training Center. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

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

Fietsora darts in and clinches Strawberry up against the cage.
Strawberry tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Fietsora smiles and moves away.
Fietsora tries to close the distance and clinch but Strawberry swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Fietsora moves into the clinch.
Fietsora misses with a short punch on the inside.
Strawberry is looking to take this one to the mat.
Strawberry drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fietsora lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fietsora scores with a shoulder strike.
Fietsora scores with a shot to the side of Strawberry's head.
Strawberry wants a takedown.
Fietsora lands a left hand that snaps the head of Strawberry backwards.
Fietsora throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Strawberrys head.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Fietsora here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fietsora lands with a left to the head.

Strawberry pulls Fietsora into guard.
Fietsora tries to stand but Strawberry is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fietsora controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fietsora tries to stand but Strawberry is controlling from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Romulus Fietsora dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Good leg kick by Fietsora there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Strawberry takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Romulus Fietsora is winning the standup battle so far.
Fietsora lands a leg kick that knocks Strawberry off balance momentarily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Fietsora, as that shot connected.
Strawberry connects with a jab.
Fietsora is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Strawberry can do to turn this around?

Fietsora has Strawberry up against the cage in a clinch.
Fietsora makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fietsora working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Strawberry fails to pull guard.
Strawberry is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fietsora gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Fietsora is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Romulus Fietsora has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DJ Strawberry.
Strawberry takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fietsora lands with a right to the head.
Fietsora lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
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!
Fietsora gets underhooks to prevent Strawberry's takedown attempt.
Strawberry is trying to pull guard but Fietsora turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fietsora drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Strawberry gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Strawberry is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Fietsora to keep the fight standing.
Strawberry goes for a takedown attempt but Fietsora pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Fietsora swinging wildly here.
Fietsora bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fietsora was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Fietsora throws a head kick that misses.
Strawberry takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Fietsora fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Strawberry, pushing him back against the cage.
Fietsora works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nice body punch from Fietsora - that landed with a thud.
Fietsora lands an uppercut.
Fietsora lands a right hand.
Strawberry tries to pull guard but Fietsora won't allow it.
A right handed body shot lands from Fietsora.
DJ Strawberry has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Fietsora.
Good body shot from Fietsora.
Strawberry can't get the takedown.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Fietsora is trying to trip Strawberry. He has hold of a leg but Strawberry is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Fietsora persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Fietsora would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Strawberry is trying to control the position but Fietsora postures up.

Strawberry has an active guard here but Fietsora has managed to pass into half guard.
Fietsora wants to stand up but Strawberry has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Romulus Fietsora is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strawberry tries to get to full guard but Fietsora has control of the leg.
Fietsora tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Strawberry.

Strawberry has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Fietsora escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Fietsora!
Fietsora gets to mount! Strawberry was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Fietsora stands up from mount. Strange move.
Strawberry blocks a head kick by Fietsora.
Fietsora goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Fietsora takes one to the chin there.

Fietsora forces Strawberry back against the cage and clinches.
Strawberry tries to pull guard but Fietsora forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Fietsora lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Strawberry tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Strawberry is looking to take this one to the mat.
Fietsora lands with a right to the head.
Fietsora lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romulus Fietsora showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Fietsora has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Romulus Fietsora!
An out of breath Romulus Fietsora thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
DJ Strawberry spoke after the fight, saying 'i'm young and I will continue to get better, there is no doubt in my mind I will be a champ one day. Get on the bandwagon before its full.... Going to my after party. I got the blow and Chinese chicks waiting for me...'.