PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matthews Rose (ranked 4172 p4p, 4214 weight class) and Bruno Statovica (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rose
vs
Statovica

219 cm
25
170
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
180
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Matthews Rose!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bruno Statovica!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Phil Schofield and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Statovica tries to keep at a distance but Rose has taken the fight into the clinch.

Rose breaks the clinch.
Statovica pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rose uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Statovica.

Statovica darts in and clinches Rose up against the cage.

Rose manages to break the clinch.
Statovica darts in looking for a takedown but Rose gets double underhooks and turns Statovica into the cage.

Rose closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rose tries to pull guard but Statovica forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Rose pulls guard successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rose wants to improve his position but instead Statovica has moved into half guard.
Rose has his hands clasped together around Statovica's back. He's all about the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Statovica looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rose is looking to improve his position.
Rose is trying to maintain the position but Statovica is very close to passing his half guard.

Statovica is looking for a kimura but Rose is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Statovica to get the leverage.
Statovica keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Rose wants to improve his position but Statovica is controlling well.

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.
Well, if Statovica 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.

Statovica postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Rose to stand up.
Rose throws a sloppy head kick and Statovica moves out of range easily.
Rose throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Statovica tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rose sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Statovica somewhat.
Nice takedown defense from Rose. No joy for Statovica on that attempt.
Matthews Rose has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruno Statovica.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rose shoots in looking for a takedown but Statovica manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rose's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Statovica tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rose swivels and escapes.
Rose tries to clinch up
and Statovica counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Statovica gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rose has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Statovica after a bit of a struggle.
Rose effectively controlling the action here.
Rose tries to break the clinch but Statovica is controlling the position.

Statovica escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Danga de danga de dang - Rose scores with a four punch combination!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Statovica fails to land the takedown.
Statovica shoots in but no luck this time.
Rose misses with the combination.

Rose pushes Statovica up against the cage in a clinch.

Statovica breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rose tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Statovica swivels and escapes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rose lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Statovica closes the distance and pushes Rose back into the cage.

Statovica decides to pull guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Statovica has a takedown stuffed.
Statovica shoots in for a double leg but Rose sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Statovica defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rose.
Statovica dives in for a single leg takedown but Rose sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Matthews Rose has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruno Statovica.
Statovica moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A nice combination there by Rose.

Rose moves into the clinch.
Rose is trying to drag Statovica to the mat but Statovica just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Statovica avoiding damage.
Statovica tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rose avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Statovica has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rose uses from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Statovica is pulling down on Rose's head to control his posture.
Let's hope that Statovica 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.
Rose really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Statovica not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rose is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Statovica can do to turn this around?
Rose trying to control the position from guard on top but Statovica is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rose has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rose wants to stand but Statovica has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Statovica is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rose sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Statovica bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rose's guard.

Statovica throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rose works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rose controls Statovica momentarily but Statovica frees himself.
Statovica trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Statovica keeps trying to improve his position.

Statovica thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Statovica preventing the sweep.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Matthews Rose is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Statovica tries to clinch up.
Matthews Rose is winning the standup battle so far.
Statovica shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rose counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Statovica will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rose up against the cage.
Statovica fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rose has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Statovica after a bit of a struggle.
Rose throws a punch but it's blocked by Statovica.
Rose wants to break free but Statovica has control.
Rose is looking for a takedown.
Rose doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Statovica goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rose prevents it.
Statovica blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matthews Rose dominated that second 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. And we move into the final round!

Rose misses with the combination.
Rose shoots and misses
and Statovica counters with a series of strikes. Rose will be more careful next time no doubt.
Statovica tries for a takedown but Rose sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rose fails with an attempt to clinch.
Statovica keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Rose has Statovica up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Statovica lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Statovica breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Statovica leaves Rose with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthews Rose. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rose looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Rose shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Statovica is trying to defend but Rose finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Statovica has one foot on Rose's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rose goes for a double leg but Statovica avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Statovica continues to drive forward.
Statovica is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Statovica is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rose is defending well.
Rose wants to break the clinch but can't.

Statovica manages to break the clinch.
Statovica changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rose tries to avoid it but Statovica manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rose to the ground. Rose escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Statovica shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rose but Rose pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rose shoots in and drives through. Statovica sprawls well.
Statovica appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Statovica slaps away a takedown attempt from Rose, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rose is looking to clinch.
Rose just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Statovica shoots in but no luck this time.
Statovica keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rose tries for a takedown but Statovica sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rose defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Statovica.
Rose looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Statovica is fending him off so far but Rose persists. Nope, Statovica circles away and we're back to standing.
Statovica tries to counter by closing the distance.
Statovica throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Statovica clinches with his opponent.

Statovica pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rose slaps away a takedown attempt from Statovica, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Statovica tries to clinch there but Rose circles away.
Statovica tries to bum rush Rose with a series of wild strikes but Rose uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Rose closes the distance and clinches.
Statovica tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rose avoids it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rose.

Statovica pulls Rose into guard.
Rose knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Statovica on the ground.
Statovica trying to strike off his back.
Rose trying to control but Statovica is working from the bottom.
Statovica is trying to control the position but Rose postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruno Statovica comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rose 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthews Rose!