PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Paul Roberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocky Bagend (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Roberts
vs
Bagend

160 cm
22
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

178 cm
19
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

TAKEDOWN ©

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Paul Roberts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rocky Bagend!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Donatello Bradman and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roberts misses the jab.
Bagend tries to clinch but Roberts is having none of it.
Bagend displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Roberts throws out the jab.
Roberts throws the left hand but Bagend avoids the punch easily.
Bagend attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Roberts tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bagend was well out of range. Poor timing from Roberts.
Roberts misses with a straight left.
Roberts looks to land a right hand but Bagend moved out of range.
Roberts throws a big shot that misses.
Roberts misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bagend gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bagend.
Bagend throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bagend uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Roberts.
Bagend defending well as Roberts loads up on a big left hand.

Bagend drives through and clinches with Roberts against the cage.
Roberts is trying to break free.
Roberts can't break the clinch.
Bagend has Roberts pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Roberts manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Roberts wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Roberts wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bagend has him pressed against the cage.
Roberts tries to break the clinch but Bagend is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bagend manages to break the clinch.
Roberts just misses with a punch to the body.
Bagend shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Roberts pinned against the cage. Roberts gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The fighters circling - Roberts throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Roberts looks to throw the jab but Bagend is out of range.
Roberts throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Roberts misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bagend.
Roberts is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bagend.
Paul Roberts is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Roberts misses with an uppercut. Bagend saw that one coming.
Roberts takes a swing at Bagend's ribcage but misses.
Bagend throws a sloppy head kick and Roberts moves out of range easily.
Bagend slips a straight right by Roberts.
Bagend tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bagend throws a jab when Roberts was well out of range.
Bagend shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Paul Roberts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocky Bagend.

Bagend shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Roberts makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roberts lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Roberts.
Roberts stuffs the takedown attempt from Bagend. Bagend gets slowly back to his feet.

Roberts gets caught flat footed, as Bagend shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Roberts is looking to stand up but Bagend isn't so interested in that idea.
Bagend trying to control the position from guard on top but Roberts is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bagend stands up and waves to Roberts to follow him.
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!

Bagend shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bagend showed some decent athleticism there.

Bagend gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagend uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Roberts.
Bagend throws a lazy right hand but Roberts sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bagend throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Roberts's waist but Roberts gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bagend off to one side.
Bagend ducks under a wild hook from Roberts.
Roberts looks to throw the jab but Bagend is out of range.
Bagend avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Roberts throws a big shot that misses.
Roberts throws a big shot that misses.
Roberts throws out a loose jab but Bagend uses good head movement to avoid it.
Roberts tries to clinch

and Bagend counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Bagend is figuring out what he wants to do next.
I looks like Bagend might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roberts looks like he's trying to stand up.

Bagend stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Roberts to get to his feet.
Roberts throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Roberts is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Roberts's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Roberts lands with a hook. Bagend tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Bagend has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Rocky Bagend has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Roberts swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Bagend counters with a nice double leg into side control. Roberts won't be happy with that.
Roberts is breathing heavily.
Roberts pushes Bagend away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bagend gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bagend in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Bagend taking a breather here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Bagend dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rocky Bagend's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bagend closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Bagend has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Bagend can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Roberts is looking to escape.
Roberts might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Roberts trying desperately to get to his feet.
Bagend trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Roberts trying desperately to get to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagend takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Bagend trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Bagend throws some wild stikes that Roberts manages to avoid easily.
Roberts is trying to stand but he's just given Bagend his back.
Bagend has the hooks in. Roberts is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Roberts looking very determined here, making life difficult for Bagend.
Roberts holding both Bagend 's hands and preventing any damage.
Well, with Bagend on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Roberts is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Roberts prevents Bagend from getting a body triangle.
Roberts avoids the strikes from Bagend.
Roberts holding both Bagend 's hands and preventing any damage.
Bagend thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Bagend is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Bagend trying to control momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts avoids the strikes from Bagend.
Bagend controlling the position well here. Roberts rolled but Bagend kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

Despite being in the dominant position, Rocky Bagend just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice defenses there by Bagend.
Roberts looks to throw the jab but Bagend is out of range.
Roberts is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Roberts misses with a hook. Bagend ducked under it nicely.
Bagend moves away from the strike by Roberts.
Roberts jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bagend uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Roberts.
Roberts takes a swing at Bagend's ribcage but misses.
Roberts throws a big shot that misses.
Bagend fails with the takedown.
Roberts ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rocky Bagend is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bagend uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Roberts.
Bagend has a takedown stuffed.
Bagend steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Roberts.
Roberts waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Bagend.

Bagend moves into the clinch.
Bagend tries for a takedown but Roberts manages to get underhooks.
Paul Roberts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocky Bagend.

Bagend pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Roberts tries to clinch up

and Bagend counters with a single leg into guard. Roberts didn't expect that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bagend pushing down on Roberts's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Bagend sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Roberts is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Bagend showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rocky Bagend's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Roberts takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The fighters circling - Roberts throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Roberts thows a body shot but no joy.
Roberts keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Roberts misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bagend.
Roberts misses the body punch

and Bagend holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Roberts is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Roberts wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bagend has him pressed against the cage.
Roberts can't break the clinch.
Roberts is trying to break free.
Roberts wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bagend with a knee to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Roberts wants to break free but Bagend has control.
Bagend prevents Roberts from breaking the clinch.

Bagend jumps guard and drags Roberts to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Bagend working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Roberts doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Roberts manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts tries to stand but Bagend is controlling from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Roberts tries to free his leg and advance position but Bagend is retaining full guard.
Roberts has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bagend is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Roberts knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bagend on the ground.
Bagend might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Roberts kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Bagend closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Roberts tries to break the clinch but Bagend is controlling the position.
Roberts can't break the clinch.
Bagend can't get the takedown.
Bagend swings wildly with an uppercut but Roberts uses good head movement to avoid it.
Roberts has had enough of the clinch but Bagend keeps him there for the moment.

Roberts breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bagend blocks a jab.
Bagend shoots in looking for a takedown. Roberts tries to sprawl out of it but Bagend keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Roberts manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Paul Roberts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocky Bagend.
Roberts throws a right and a left that both miss.
A swing and a miss from Roberts.
Roberts just misses with a punch to the body.
Roberts throws a jab when Bagend was well out of range.
Roberts tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bagend was well out of range. Poor timing from Roberts.

Bagend moves into the clinch successfully.

Bagend jumps guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagend working a defensive guard here.
Bagend is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Roberts is trying to escape back to his feet but Bagend uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Bagend happy to just control the position for now.
Paul Roberts has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bagend advances to full mount.
Roberts is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bagend looking for a guillotine from mount but Roberts is having none of it.
Roberts is trying to stand up.
Bagend throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Bagend misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Roberts on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Roberts tries to get out of the position.
Bagend tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Bagend throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bagend controlling his opponent.
Rocky Bagend is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bagend tries to control but Roberts wriggling away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocky Bagend comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bagend winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rocky Bagend!