PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Christof Rollo (ranked 5214 p4p, 3028 weight class) and Gazali Koekemoer (ranked 491 p4p, 395 weight class). Rollo comes to the cage accompanied by dis. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rollo
vs
Koekemoer

184 cm
20
184
3 - 3 - 0

181 cm
24
184
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Christof Rollo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gazali Koekemoer!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Daniel Bishop and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koekemoer throws a sloppy head kick

and Rollo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rollo throws an elbow but misses.
Koekemoer using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Rollo throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Koekemoer dodges an elbow strike from Rollo.
Koekemoer is trying to break free.
Koekemoer blocks an elbow strike from Rollo.
Koekemoer lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rollo backwards.
Koekemoer avoids the elbow strike from Rollo, against the cage.
Koekemoer blocks an elbow strike.
Koekemoer blocks an elbow strike from Rollo.
Rollo creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Koekemoer's defenses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rollo just misses with a elbow thrown towards Koekemoer's brow.
Rollo misses with an elbow over the top.
Koekemoer avoids the elbow strike from Rollo, against the cage.

Koekemoer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Koekemoer moves out of range of the strikes.
Rollo throws a sloppy head kick and Koekemoer moves out of range easily.
Rollo is looking to score with low kicks.
We've been told by Rollo's head coaches at Advanced Fighting Systems that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rollo moves into range and clinches up with Koekemoer.
Rollo throws an elbow that misses.
Rollo lands a nice elbow.
Rollo throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rollo pushes off an throws an elbow but Koekemoer leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Koekemoer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Koekemoer loads up on a big right hand but Rollo slips the punch.
Rollo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Koekemoer.
Rollo misses with a head kick.
Koekemoer keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Rollo misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Koekemoer checks a leg kick.
Koekemoer counters with a body kick.
Christof Rollo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Koekemoer throws a body punch but Rollo moves out of range.
Koekemoer throws a head kick but Rollo moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koekemoer throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Koekemoer's coach down at Besta-Fera Training Center was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Koekemoer's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Rollo tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Koekemoer is able to avoid easily.
Koekemoer only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Koekemoer.
Koekemoer takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rollo throws a push kick but Koekemoer slaps the foot to one side.
Koekemoer follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rollo ducks right into an uppercut from Koekemoer.
Rollo pushes Koekemoer away with a front kick.
Rollo tries a low kick but Koekemoer avoids it.
Koekemoer thinks about the counter body kick.
Koekemoer tries to land a front kick but Rollo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rollo is looking to counter with a body kick.
Koekemoer scores with a leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Rollo - that will leave a mark!
Rollo throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koekemoer works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rollo throws a chopping leg kick but Koekemoer manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Koekemoer throws a big counter head kick but Rollo avoids it with no problem.
Koekemoer cracks Rollo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rollo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Koekemoer misses with a hook.
Koekemoer tries to work over Rollo's front leg with a kick but Rollo checks it.
Koekemoer is looking to score with low kicks.
As Koekemoer tries to get set, Rollo tries to push him back and clinch up but Koekemoer manages to avoid the attempt.
Koekemoer throws a shot from downtown. Rollo moves away and avoids it.
Rollo throws a leg kick
letting Koekemoer counter with a right hand.

Rollo has Koekemoer up against the cage in a clinch.
Koekemoer avoids a wild elbow strike from Rollo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koekemoer blocks the elbow strike.
Koekemoer has had enough of the clinch but Rollo keeps him there for the moment.

Koekemoer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rollo lands a nice looking kick to the body. Koekemoer takes a step back to recover.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rollo. That's going to slow Koekemoer down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rollo moves to clinch but Koekemoer breaks away
and Koekemoer counters with a solid body kick.
Koekemoer scores with a head kick.
Rollo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Koekemoer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rollo throws a sloppy head kick
and Koekemoer counters with a nice kick to the body.
Rollo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Koekemoer looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Christof Rollo will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A low kick from Rollo misses
and Koekemoer counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rollo throws a solid leg kick but Koekemoer takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rollo.
A low kick from Rollo is predictable there
and Koekemoer counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rollo is looking to score with low kicks.
Koekemoer throws a leg kick which misses Rollo's front leg but catches the back leg as Rollo tries to avoid it.
Rollo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rollo plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Rollo throws a leg kick that is checked
and Koekemoer counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rollo throws a leg kick that misses.

Rollo has taken the fight to the clinch.

Rollo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rollo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gazali Koekemoer seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koekemoer keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A nice leg kick from Koekemoer, right into the meat of the thigh.
Koekemoer throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rollo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rollo tries a low kick but Koekemoer avoids it.
Crunch! Rollo slams his shin into Koekemoer's torso.
Koekemoer fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rollo checks it well.
Rollo tries to clinch but Koekemoer moves out of range.
Rollo backing away here, and Koekemoer unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

Rollo has Koekemoer up against the cage in a clinch.
Koekemoer is trying to push Rollo away but Rollo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Koekemoer tries to circle away but Rollo has him pinned against the cage.

Rollo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koekemoer cracks a nice hook into Rollo's ribs.
Rollo throws a head kick but Koekemoer moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Koekemoer! But no joy.
Koekemoer throws a shot to the body.
Koekemoer scores with a nice head shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Rollo blocks the leg kick.
Rollo jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
A bone on bone clash there as Koekemoer blocks the leg kick.
Rollo looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A low kick from Rollo misses
and Koekemoer counters with a stiff right hand.
Koekemoer goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Rollo is looking to chop away at Koekemoer's legs.
Rollo misses with a low kick.
Rollo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Koekemoer counters with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rollo closes the distance and clinches.
Koekemoer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rollo has him pressed against the cage.
Koekemoer tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rollo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Koekemoer's efforts to push away.
A shot in the inside from Rollo.
Koekemoer blocks an elbow strike from Rollo.
Rollo misses with a punch to the body.
Koekemoer is trying to break free.
Koekemoer misses with a punch to the body.
Koekemoer tries to circle away but Rollo has him pinned against the cage.
Koekemoer wants to break free but Rollo has control.
Koekemoer is trying to break the clinch but Rollo is controlling him.
Rollo lands an elbow inside that Koekemoer shrugs off.

Rollo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rollo misses with a leg kick
and Koekemoer counters with an inside leg kick.
Rollo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rollo throws a leg kick that misses.
Rollo throws a wild body kick that Koekemoer sees coming a mile off.
A chopping leg kick lands by Koekemoer.
Rollo looks for the body kick but Koekemoer saw that one coming.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rollo. That's going to slow Koekemoer down.
Rollo is looking to land body kicks.
Rollo looks for the body kick but Koekemoer saw that one coming.
Rollo misses with a low kick.
A clash of legs there as Koekemoer blocks the low kick.
Koekemoer throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Rollo rushes Koekemoer and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Christof Rollo will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rollo tries to land a body kick
and Koekemoer counters with a straight right hand.
Rollo misses with a leg kick.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Koekemoer closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rollo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Koekemoer only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Rollo throws a leg kick but Koekemoer sees it coming and moves out of range.
Rollo throws a half hearted mid kick.
A low kick from Rollo is predictable there
and Rollo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rollo scores with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koekemoer thumps Rollo with a low kick.
Rollo throws a leg kick but Koekemoer sees it coming and moves out of range.
Koekemoer is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Koekemoer throws a leg kick that misses.
Koekemoer throws out a leg kick but Rollo moves out of range and Koekemoer only half commits.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rollo throws a head kick that misses.
Rollo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rollo defending well as Koekemoer loads up on a big left hand.
Koekemoer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rollo wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Koekemoer. Rollo shrugs it off though.
Rollo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rollo tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Koekemoer manages to circle out of the way.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Koekemoer.
Rollo throws a leg kick that misses.
Koekemoer throws out a counter right but Rollo avoids it with no problem.
A leg kick checked by Koekemoer.
Rollo throws a lazy body kick
and Koekemoer counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Koekemoer has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rollo.
Koekemoer goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Rollo.
Rollo looks to land a body kick but Koekemoer moved away.
Rollo doesn't manage to clinch there - Koekemoer circles away.
Koekemoer sizes up Rollo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Rollo blocks the body kick.
Rollo misses with a head kick.
It seemed like Koekemoer was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Rollo misses with a body kick.
Koekemoer only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Rollo throws a solid leg kick but Koekemoer takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rollo.
Christof Rollo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rollo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rollo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Koekemoer throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rollo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A good leg kick by Rollo.
Koekemoer scores with a head kick. Rollo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Koekemoer finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Koekemoer tries to land a front kick but Rollo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rollo lands a head kick!
Koekemoer's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rollo connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Koekemoer scrambles back to his feet.
Koekemoer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rollo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Koekemoer.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Koekemoer lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Rollo has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Rollo and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Gazali Koekemoer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koekemoer avoids the head kick by Rollo.
Koekemoer blocks the body kick.
A nice side step and Koekemoer releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rollo lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Koekemoer has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Koekemoer and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Koekemoer will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A head kick by Koekemoer misses
and Rollo counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
An inside leg kick from Koekemoer misses.
Rollo swings away with a leg kick that misses.
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!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rollo lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Koekemoer has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Koekemoer and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Koekemoer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rollo is looking to slow Koekemoer down with leg kicks.
Koekemoer throws a big shot that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gazali Koekemoer.
I think Rollo 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!