PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Rosenthal (ranked 2885 p4p, 265 weight class) and Arslan Yildirim (ranked 3733 p4p, 324 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rosenthal
vs
Yildirim

168 cm
25
154 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
158 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Johnny Rosenthal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arslan Yildirim!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Albert Achterberg and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Yildirim manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rosenthal on his heels. He'll look to pass Rosenthal's guard now, I'm sure.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Rosenthal utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rosenthal controlling the position.
Yildirim postures up in Rosenthal's guard and throws a big left but Rosenthal blocks it.
Yildirim throws a big elbow that misses.
Yildirim stands up over Rosenthal, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Yildirim with a flurry of punches that miss.
Yildirim trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Yildirim throws a strike but Rosenthal rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rosenthal got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yildirim has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rosenthal has managed to get both his arms back between Yildirim's legs - danger averted.
Rosenthal trying to control but Yildirim is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yildirim wants to sweep but no luck.

Yildirim has his foot on Rosenthal's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rosenthal works his way back into a safe position though.

Yildirim escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rosenthal gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yildirim is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rosenthal defends well.

Yildirim working for a triangle but Rosenthal defends it easily.

Yildirim has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rosenthal can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rosenthal might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rosenthal is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Yildirim is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rosenthal defends well.
Rosenthal is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Rosenthal stands up out of Yildirim's guard for a moment - Yildirim manages to land a nice upkick.

Yildirim has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rosenthal can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yildirim will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Yildirim misses with a takedown

and Rosenthal counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arslan Yildirim dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Yildirim shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rosenthal counters with a nice uppercut.
Yildirim with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rosenthal counters with a big head kick but Yildirim shrugs it off.
Yildirim with a lazy takedown attempt

and Rosenthal counters with a single leg into guard. Yildirim didn't expect that.
Johnny Rosenthal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arslan Yildirim.
Rosenthal is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rosenthal seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Yildirim for as long as he can get away with.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rosenthal trying to control but Yildirim is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yildirim looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Yildirim looking for a sweep. Not yet Yildirim, not yet.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Yildirim looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Rosenthal 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.

Yildirim had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rosenthal defends it easily.
Yildirim wants to sweep here but Rosenthal controlling him for the moment.
Arslan Yildirim has got the better of the ground game so far.

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.

Yildirim has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rosenthal can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rosenthal trying to control the position from guard on top but Yildirim is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yildirim doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rosenthal counters with a right hand to the body.
Yildirim is breathing heavily.
Yildirim misses with a takedown

and Rosenthal counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Rosenthal's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Yildirim is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rosenthal content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Rosenthal dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Yildirim shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rosenthal counters with a three punch combo that has Yildirim backing up. Yildirim nods at Rosenthal to acknowledge the strikes.
Yildirim fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rosenthal avoids it really well and circles away.
Rosenthal is looking to counter with head kicks.
Yildirim shoots in and drives through. Rosenthal sprawls well.
Rosenthal appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Johnny Rosenthal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arslan Yildirim.
Yildirim shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rosenthal as he avoids it easily.
Yildirim shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rosenthal pinned against the cage. Rosenthal gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rosenthal appears to be looking for a big counter.
Arslan Yildirim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yildirim takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rosenthal closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Rosenthal stands up.
Arslan Yildirim is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rosenthal gets a clinch.
Rosenthal stops a takedown attempt from Yildirim.

Rosenthal has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Yildirim uses from the top position.
Rosenthal pulls Yildirim in close to prevent any damage.
Yildirim throws a big right hand that misses.
Rosenthal on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rosenthal tries to get out of the position.

Rosenthal looking for a triangle here. Yildirim is fighting it but it looks tight! Rosenthal pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Yildirim is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Johnny Rosenthal!