PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Test Fight (ranked 24471 p4p, 5857 weight class) and Curtis Rome (ranked 597 p4p, 521 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Fight
vs
Rome

165 cm
18
155
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
18
150
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Redemption ink

Conquer
Redemption ink

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Test Fight!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Curtis Rome!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Chris Saunders and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fight takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Fight tries to close the distance and clinch but Rome swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fight takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rome slaps away a takedown attempt from Fight, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rome feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Fights jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fight moves in looking to clinch but Rome pushes him off.

Fight moves into the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Rome - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Rome avoiding damage as Fight throws knees to the body.
Fight being controlled against the cage.
Rome gets through Fight's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Rome on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rome lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fight backwards.
Fight missing with knees to the body.
Rome lands a right hand.
Rome is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fight pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rome lands an uppercut.
Rome blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fight breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rome lands with a hook. Fight tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Fight tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Fight takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rome lands with an uppercut that bounces Fight off the cage and back into range.
Rome with a nice cross.
Rome changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fight tries to avoid it but Rome manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fight to the ground. Fight escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Fight on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Fight darts in trying to clinch
and Rome counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fight tries to clinch up
and Rome counters with a straight right hand.
Fight closes the distance but Rome moves to the side
and Rome counters with a stiff right hand.
Rome has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A lazy left from Rome finds it's target.
Rome keeps the fight on the outside.
Rome lands a head shot.
Nice takedown defense from Rome. No joy for Fight on that attempt.
Rome lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rome tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fight sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rome somewhat.
Test Fight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Curtis Rome.
Rome fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fight walks into a jab.
Rome uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Fight has time to react.
Fight tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rome paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fight looks to clinch
and Rome counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rome is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Fight had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Rome stuffs the takedown.
Rome tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Fight has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fight throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rome working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rome lands with a right to the head.
Fight throws a head punch that misses.
Fight creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Fight taking a breather.
Fight misses with a punch on the inside.
Rome lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rome is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Fight breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fight tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rome paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice straight punches there by Rome. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rome.

Fight moves into range and clinches up with Rome.
A short left from Rome.
Fight misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rome.
A short uppercut from Rome.
A frustrated look appears on Fight's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Rome pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jab by Rome.
Fight takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fight tries to clinch there but Rome circles away.
Rome lands with an overhand left.
The fighters circling - Fight throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fight wants to clinch up but Rome keeps it at a distance.
Fight has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Fight there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rome lands a nice shot that snaps Fight's head back.
Fight tries to clinch up
and Rome connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rome tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Fight defends well and Rome ends up having to push Fight into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Rome feints and as Fight raises his hands in defense, Rome changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rome showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Fight working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rome doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rome manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rome pushing down on Fight's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rome is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rome feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Rome slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Rome's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Rome stands and throws Fight's legs to the side, diving into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rome in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Rome has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rome tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Fight tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fight wants to control but Rome is having none of it.
Rome looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Let's hope that Rome has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Fight tries to hold on but Rome postures up.
Rome looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fight is trying to escape the mount.
Fight tries to hold on but Rome pushes him away.
Fight can't escape the position.
Rome controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rome is continuing to stall.
Fight is trying desperately to improve position.
Rome controlling his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Rome showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

The fighters circle momentarily. Rome darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Fight tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rome paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fight wants to clinch up but Rome keeps it at a distance.
Rome connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Rome has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rome is struggling to control the position.
Rome lands a shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Rome.
Fight throws a punch but it's blocked by Rome.
Fight creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rome's defenses.
Rome gets through Fight's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fight is trying to force a seperation but Rome has the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fight is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rome is defending well for now.
Rome lands with a right to the head.
Fight misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rome.
Rome managing to block the knees to the body from Fight.
Rome has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A right handed body shot lands from Rome.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fight throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short body shot lands from Rome as the two fighters clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rome working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rome is trying to stall.
Rome scores with a shot to the side of Fight's head.
Fight tries to break free but Rome pushes him back against the cage.
Rome presses Fight against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rome avoids the elbow strike from Fight, against the cage.
Fight pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rome lands a nice shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rome is struggling to control the position.
Rome lands a body punch in the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Good body shot from Rome.
A short right from Rome.
Rome scores with a hook to the body.
Rome stalls.
Rome lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rome lands with a right to the head.
Nice body punch from Rome.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rome creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Curtis Rome seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rome has Fight pressed against the cage.
Fight tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Fight throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rome works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rome is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Fight is defending well.
Rome scores with a shot to the side of Fight's head.
Rome blocks an elbow strike.

Fight breaks from the clinch.
Curtis Rome seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Rome clinches up against the cage.
Fight is trying to pull guard but Rome has him pressed against the cage.
Fight pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rome lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fight backwards.
Rome scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Fight looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Fight is looking to control Rome's arms but Rome gets an underhook and turns him. Now Fight has his back to the cage.
Rome lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rome lands a body punch.
Rome stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Curtis Rome is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rome is pushing Fight up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Rome avoids a wild elbow strike from Fight.
Fight can't get the takedown.
Rome lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fight or not.
Fight stalling.
Fight tries to score a body lock takedown but Rome shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Test Fight. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fight is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rome is defending well.
Fight misses with an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rome gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Rome not doing much here.
Fight tries to get to full guard but Rome has control of the leg.
Curtis Rome has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rome takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Test Fight has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fight is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Curtis Rome comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rome has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Curtis Rome!