PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joel Romero (ranked 330 p4p, 49 weight class) and Billy The Bastard (ranked 1194 p4p, 184 weight class). The Bastard is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by King of Kings - Motorhead. Billy The Bastard acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Romero
vs
The Bastard

185 cm
27
205 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

190 cm
21
223 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joel Romero!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Billy The Bastard!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Romero shoots in for a double leg but The Bastard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The Bastard falls off balance throwing a combination

so Romero counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

The Bastard manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

The Bastard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The Bastard throws a combination that misses

and Romero counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Romero missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Romero not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Romero prevents The Bastard from improving his position.
The Bastard avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Romero.
The Bastard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Romero is working away from the top position though.
The Bastard felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Romero missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Romero throwing shots but The Bastard is blocking nicely.
Romero prevents The Bastard from standing back up.
Romero landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Romero not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Romero sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. The Bastard defending well though.
Romero throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The Bastard trying to control from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Romero connects with a nice short shot to The Bastard's temple.
The Bastard is trying to control but can't.
Romero throwing shots but The Bastard is blocking nicely.
Romero misses with a head shot. The Bastard uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. The Bastard is keeping the position for now.
The Bastard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The Bastard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Romero is fighting to break The Bastard's control of his arms but The Bastard is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Romero postures up in The Bastard's guard and throws a big left but The Bastard blocks it.
The Bastard wants to sweep but no luck.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero is in close to The Bastard's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Romero throws a strike but The Bastard rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Romero has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but The Bastard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Romero is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Romero has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but The Bastard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The Bastard controlling from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Romero striking off his back but it's not causing The Bastard any problems.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Romero had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. The Bastard defends it easily.
The Bastard won't allow Romero to sweep him here.
The Bastard would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Romero has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but The Bastard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The Bastard wants to get up but he can't break Romero's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel Romero dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

The Bastard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Romero appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Romero checks the leg kick nicely there.
The Bastard misses with a hook to the body

and Romero counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Romero.
The Bastard has Romero pulled in close to control his posture.
Romero postures up.
Romero landing with the ground and pound.
The Bastard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Bastard wants to sweep but no luck.
Romero tries to free his leg and advance position but The Bastard is retaining full guard.
Romero postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Romero stops The Bastard from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Romero accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Romero with a flurry of punches that miss.
Romero postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Romero takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Romero moves out of range of the strikes.
Billy The Bastard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Bastard misses with a looping left.
Romero slips a jab and a cross from The Bastard.
A big right from The Bastard misses.
Romero stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from The Bastard.
Romero shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. The Bastard defends it nicely.
The Bastard scores with a decent looking hook.
Romero shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
It seemed like The Bastard was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Romero shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
The Bastard misses with a head kick.
Romero drops down looking for a counter takedown but The Bastard sprawls and moves away.
Romero tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Bastard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Romero.
Romero ducks under a wild hook from The Bastard.
Romero feinted with a counter takedown.
The Bastard tries a head kick but it misses.
Billy The Bastard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The Bastard throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Romero feinted with a counter takedown.
Horrible takedown attempt by Romero or perhaps it was just good defense by The Bastard, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel Romero. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Romero shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice defenses there by Romero.
The Bastard looks to land a right hand but Romero moved out of range.
The Bastard stuffs the takedown attempt from Romero. Romero gets slowly back to his feet.
The Bastard cracks the inside of Romero's front leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from The Bastard.
The Bastard lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The Bastard looks to land a right hand but Romero moved out of range.
The Bastard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big left from The Bastard misses.
Horrible takedown attempt by Romero or perhaps it was just good defense by The Bastard, which made it look bad.
The Bastard lands with a hook. Romero tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Romero ducks right into an uppercut from The Bastard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The Bastard misses the jab.
Romero drops down looking for a counter takedown but The Bastard sprawls and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy The Bastard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The Bastard stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The Bastard swinging wildly here.
The Bastard throws a leg kick that is checked

and Romero counters with a takedown into side control.

Romero goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, The Bastard has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Romero but great work by The Bastard.
Romero is trying to control The Bastard's posture but The Bastard avoids it.
Romero tries to buck The Bastard off but The Bastard is having none of it.

The Bastard decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Romero goes for a double leg but The Bastard avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as The Bastard continues to drive forward.
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!
Romero uses good head movement to avoid the hook from The Bastard.
The Bastard uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Romero has time to react.
The Bastard throws a hook to the side of Romero's head but Romero sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Romero throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. The Bastard was covering up waiting for the punch and Romero finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The Bastard pulls Romero in close to his closed guard and prevents Romero from doing any damage or advancing position.
Romero stops The Bastard from standing up.
Romero lands a couple of elbows.
Romero 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.
Romero is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Romero's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Romero throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Bastard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Romero.

Romero got a little sloppy there for a moment and The Bastard has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Romero has managed to get both his arms back between The Bastard's legs - danger averted.
The Bastard has control of Romero's left arm, preventing Romero from doing any damage.
Romero wants to pass the guard but The Bastard is keeping the position.
Joel Romero overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Romero landing some decent shots from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Romero working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero prevents The Bastard from getting back to his feet.
The Bastard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Romero loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Romero with a flurry of punches that miss.
Romero makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Romero working some strikes from top position.
Romero throws a big elbow that misses.
The Bastard is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Romero throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Romero accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero won't allow The Bastard to sweep him here.
Romero distracts The Bastard with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The Bastard preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The Bastard wants to sweep here but Romero controlling him for the moment.
The Bastard looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Romero changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. The Bastard tries to avoid it but Romero manages to keep hold of a leg and drag The Bastard to the ground. The Bastard escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The Bastard throws a jab but it's blocked by Romero.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The Bastard scores with the left hand. Romero knows he should have avoided that one.
Romero fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel Romero. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Romero defending well as The Bastard loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Billy The Bastard just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

The Bastard thows a leg kick but Romero checks it

and Romero counters with a shoot takedown. The Bastard fights it but they end up in guard.
Romero throws a big elbow that misses.
Romero works over The Bastard with some ground and pound from guard.
Romero postures up in The Bastard's guard and throws a big left but The Bastard blocks it.
Romero looking to pass the guard.
Romero throws an elbow that misses. The Bastard uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Romero's guard. Nice move by The Bastard!

Romero is looking for a triangle but The Bastard pushes his legs off easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Romero has an active guard here but The Bastard has managed to pass into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Romero looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The Bastard prevents Romero from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The Bastard stalling away here and it's allowed Romero to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Romero trying to keep a closed guard but The Bastard is proving a slippery customer.

Romero working for a triangle but The Bastard defends it easily.
Romero is trying to control the position but The Bastard postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The Bastard gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The Bastard bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Romero's head.
Billy The Bastard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
No luck for Romero with that takedown attempt.
The Bastard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Romero sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The Bastard throws a head kick but Romero moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Romero.
The Bastard keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Romero slips a jab from The Bastard.
Nice defenses there by Romero.
A low kick from The Bastard is predictable there

and Romero counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Bastard trying to keep a closed guard but Romero is proving a slippery customer.
Romero lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Romero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The Bastard is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Romero landing some decent shots from guard.
The Bastard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The Bastard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Romero drops back, looking for a kneebar! The Bastard looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. The Bastard looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from The Bastard!

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

A close fourth round but Billy The Bastard 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!

A jab lands there for The Bastard.
The Bastard misses with a series of wild punches.
The Bastard misses with a looping left.
Romero shoots in looking for a takedown but The Bastard manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Romero's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The Bastard scores with a jab. Romero acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Romero moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Bastard is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Romero.
Romero takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A low kick from The Bastard is predictable there

and Romero counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The Bastard blocking the ground and pound attempt from Romero.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Romero throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The Bastard is trying to stand.
The Bastard trying to control here.
The Bastard has hold of Romero's hands but Romero slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The Bastard has hold of Romero's hands but Romero slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The Bastard is trying to maintain the position but Romero is very close to passing his half guard.
Romero not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Bastard regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Romero.
The Bastard wants to get back to his feet but Romero is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Romero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as The Bastard works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The Bastard wants to sweep but no luck.
The Bastard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The Bastard is controlling Romero's posture.
Romero scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero working some strikes from top position.
The Bastard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Romero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The Bastard trying to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The Bastard throws a nice inside leg kick.
The Bastard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The Bastard tries to work over Romero's front leg with a kick but Romero checks it.
The Bastard throws a jab but it's blocked by Romero.
The Bastard throws an overhand right that lands on Romero's shoulder, as Romero tries to avoid the shot.
Romero slips under a jab.
Romero appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Bastard missing with a left hand there. Romero was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The Bastard throws out a loose jab but Romero uses good head movement to avoid it.
The Bastard throws a right and a left that both miss.
The Bastard swings widly with a right hand

and Romero decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in The Bastard's guard.
The Bastard wants to stand and escape but Romero is having none of it.
Romero postures up in The Bastard's guard and throws a big left but The Bastard blocks it.
Romero with a flurry of punches that miss.
Romero tries to free his leg and advance position but The Bastard is retaining full guard.
Romero stops The Bastard from standing up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Romero is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Billy The Bastard.
I think The Bastard 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Billy The Bastard!
Billy The Bastard is the new light heavyweight champion!
A victorious Billy The Bastard thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.