PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Laurenz Thibodeaux (ranked 24232 p4p, 2728 weight class) and Christof Rollo (ranked 646 p4p, 378 weight class). Rollo has chosen dis as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Christof Rollo acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Thibodeaux
vs
Rollo

180 cm
18
195
3 - 5 - 0

184 cm
19
184
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Laurenz Thibodeaux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Christof Rollo!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Steven Brown and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thibodeaux cracks Rollo with a good jab.
Thibodeaux is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Thibodeaux connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Thibodeaux checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Thibodeaux with a jab.
Rollo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Thibodeaux tests Rollo's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Thibodeaux forces Rollo back against the cage and clinches.
Rollo is looking to break free of the clinch but Thibodeaux has double underhooks.

Thibodeaux has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Rollo is trying to keep an underhook but Thibodeaux manages to get the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Well, if Thibodeaux is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rollo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thibodeaux.
Rollo is trying to maintain the position but Thibodeaux is very close to passing his half guard.
Rollo tries to kick Thibodeaux off but Thibodeaux keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Rollo is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Thibodeaux tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rollo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Thibodeaux not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Thibodeaux controlling the action here.
Thibodeaux stops Rollo from getting back to his feet.
Rollo trying to control but Thibodeaux postures up.

Thibodeaux is looking for a kimura but Rollo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Thibodeaux to get the leverage.
Thibodeaux 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.

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.
Thibodeaux throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thibodeaux thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rollo's head.
Thibodeaux thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rollo's head.

Thibodeaux is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rollo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Thibodeaux. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rollo is trying to stand back up but Thibodeaux is controlling him
Thibodeaux is pressing down on Rollo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rollo is holding on for now.
Rollo is trying to stand up here but Thibodeaux is controlling him well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A jab from Thibodeaux misses.
Thibodeaux tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rollo moves away from the strike by Thibodeaux.
Rollo tries a quick counter leg kick but Thibodeaux is wise to it.
Laurenz Thibodeaux seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rollo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Thibodeaux trying to control but Rollo is working from the bottom.
Thibodeaux slips nicely into half guard.
Rollo trying to control here.
Rollo is refusing to be controlled, as Thibodeaux sits in half guard.
Thibodeaux content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Thibodeaux wants to take a breather but Rollo is having none of it.
Rollo is trying to stand up here but Thibodeaux is controlling him well.
Thibodeaux thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rollo's head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rollo can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rollo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Thibodeaux performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Thibodeaux not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rollo is trying to stand up here but Thibodeaux is controlling him well.
Rollo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux is trying to control. Rollo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Thibodeaux not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We've been hearing good reports from Thibodeaux's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Rollo wants to get back to his feet.
Thibodeaux thows a huge punch but Rollo dodges it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thibodeaux trying to control the pace.
Rollo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Laurenz Thibodeaux dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rollo throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Thibodeaux cracks Rollo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rollo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Thibodeaux throws a jab when Rollo was well out of range.
Rollo flicks out a counter leg kick but Thibodeaux steps away.
Thibodeaux doesn't manage to clinch there - Rollo circles away.
Rollo connects with a leg kick.
Thibodeaux looks to land a right hand but Rollo moved out of range.
Rollo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Thibodeaux.
Rollo throws a counter combo.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thibodeaux looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rollo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rollo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Thibodeaux throws a hook to the side of Rollo's head but Rollo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A low kick lands for Rollo.
Thibodeaux is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux throws a lazy right hand but Rollo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rollo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thibodeaux throws out the jab.
Rollo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux checks the leg kick.
Thibodeaux swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Thibodeaux blocks a head kick by Rollo.
A little feinted left hand from Thibodeaux on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Christof Rollo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rollo.
Rollo lands a head kick!
Thibodeaux shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rollo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice body kick there by Rollo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thibodeaux thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rollo feints a counter leg kick.
Thibodeaux misses with a few strikes there.
Rollo moves away from the strike by Thibodeaux.
Rollo is trying to counter with his kicks.
Thibodeaux rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rollo counters with a thumping low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rollo goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Thibodeaux misses the jab.
Rollo blocks a jab.
Rollo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thibodeaux throws out the jab.
Thibodeaux is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rollo can do to turn this around?
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Thibodeaux checks a leg kick.
Thibodeaux misses with a hook
and Rollo counters with a solid body kick.
Thibodeaux on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rollo. Rollo obviously looking to wear him down.
Rollo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Thibodeaux has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Christof Rollo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thibodeaux misses with a looping right.
Rollo counters with a body kick.
Rollo explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Thibodeaux throws a looping overhand right but Rollo ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux misses with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Thibodeaux scores with a hook.
Rollo keeps the fight on the outside.
Thibodeaux throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thibodeaux waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rollo.
Thibodeaux looks to land a left hand but Rollo moved out of range nicely.
Rollo swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Thibodeaux throws a jab but it's blocked by Rollo.
And Rollo responds with a good body kick, but Thibodeaux manages to step out the way in time.

Thibodeaux pushes Rollo up against the cage in a clinch.
Rollo tries to circle away but Thibodeaux has him pinned against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thibodeaux.
Rollo wants to break the clinch but can't.

Thibodeaux wants the takedown. Rollo is fighting it off but Thibodeaux persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Rollo's guard against the cage.
Rollo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Christof Rollo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Rollo ducks under a wild hook from Thibodeaux.
A good leg kick by Rollo.
Rollo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thibodeaux.

Thibodeaux moves into the clinch.

Rollo breaks from the clinch.
Rollo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Thibodeaux has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Thibodeaux tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rollo swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Thibodeaux shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rollo manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thibodeaux accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thibodeaux throws a strike but Rollo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Thibodeaux looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rollo wants to stand but Thibodeaux has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thibodeaux has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rollo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Thibodeaux keeping moving, preventing Rollo from controlling successfully.

Thibodeaux is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Thibodeaux working a defensive guard here.
We've been informed that Rollo has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Thibodeaux keeping moving, preventing Rollo from controlling successfully.
Thibodeaux not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rollo wants to stand but Thibodeaux is controlling his posture from full guard.

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.
Rollo controlling from the top position.
Thibodeaux has a closed guard, preventing Rollo from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thibodeaux scores with a punch to the head.
Thibodeaux is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rollo throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Laurenz Thibodeaux has been cut.
Rollo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thibodeaux scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rollo sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Thibodeaux closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rollo lands an elbow just above Thibodeaux 's eye.

Rollo breaks the clinch.
Thibodeaux misses with a looping right.
Rollo throws a fast counter high kick but Thibodeaux manages to duck under it in time.
Rollo lands with a kick to the temple. Thibodeaux shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

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

Rollo manages to break the clinch.
Thibodeaux cracks Rollo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rollo moves away from the strike by Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux misses with a hook. Rollo ducked under it nicely.
Thibodeaux backing away here, and Rollo unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Rollo gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rollo scores with a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rollo slips a jab from Thibodeaux.
Rollo lands with a kick to the temple. Thibodeaux shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Thibodeaux cracks Rollo with a good jab.
Rollo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rollo swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Thibodeaux gets a clinch.

Rollo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Thibodeaux closes the distance and pushes Rollo back into the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rollo.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Thibodeaux.
Rollo tries to break free but Thibodeaux pushes him back against the cage.
Thibodeaux lands with a left to the head.
Thibodeaux swings wildly with an uppercut but Rollo uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Laurenz Thibodeaux showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Thibodeaux has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Laurenz Thibodeaux!