PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ansis Kaupens (ranked 349 p4p, 337 weight class) and Ramone Rocksaw (ranked 53 p4p, 50 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kaupens
vs
Rocksaw

200 cm
28
190
18 - 6 - 1

185 cm
28
188
17 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 18 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ansis Kaupens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ramone Rocksaw!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Richard Clark and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Rocksaw misses.
Kaupens pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rocksaw ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kaupens throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rocksaw drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kaupens defends it well.

Rocksaw looking to score a takedown here. Kaupens is defending well but Rocksaw drives through and ends up in Kaupens's guard.
Kaupens is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rocksaw keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kaupens's head.
Kaupens is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rocksaw accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kaupens really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kaupens wants to get back to his feet but Rocksaw is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Kaupens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rocksaw was well out of range. Poor timing from Kaupens.
Kaupens tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rocksaw was well out of range. Poor timing from Kaupens.
Kaupens misses with a right hand
and Rocksaw counters with a thumping low kick.
Kaupens lands a body shot.

Rocksaw closes the distance and pushes Kaupens back into the cage.
Kaupens wants to get back to striking at distance but Rocksaw won't allow it.

Kaupens breaks from the clinch.
Rocksaw throws a nice outside leg kick.

Rocksaw moves into range and clinches up with Kaupens.
Rocksaw lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kaupens backwards.
Kaupens tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Rocksaw turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rocksaw manages to end up in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rocksaw working the head with strikes.
Kaupens takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Kaupens is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kaupens on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Kaupens is not content to let Rocksaw control the position.

Kaupens throws Rocksaw to one side and escapes!
Kaupens moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kaupens pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Rocksaw back to the cage. Kaupens follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kaupens loads up on a big right hand but Rocksaw slips the punch.
Kaupens throws a poor cross that misses
and Kaupens takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kaupens misses with an uppercut.
Ansis Kaupens is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kaupens misses with an uppercut. Rocksaw saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocksaw throws a leg kick which misses Kaupens's front leg but catches the back leg as Kaupens tries to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Kaupens misses the target.
Kaupens lands with a good body shot.
Kaupens comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kaupens misses with a double jab.
Rocksaw raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Rocksaw throws a head kick that misses.
Kaupens slips a jab from Rocksaw.
Kaupens misses with a body shot.
It seemed like Rocksaw was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Rocksaw moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kaupens dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rocksaw tries a head kick but it misses.
Rocksaw throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice uppercut lands for Kaupens. That snapped Rocksaw's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rocksaw under the eye.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kaupens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kaupens misses with a lunging right hand
and Rocksaw counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Kaupens tries to sprawl but Rocksaw drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kaupens wants to get back to his feet.
Rocksaw takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Rocksaw wants to pass to mount but Kaupens is defending the position.
Rocksaw throwing shots but Kaupens is blocking nicely.
Rocksaw thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kaupens's head.
Rocksaw seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kaupens looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rocksaw scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rocksaw throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ramone Rocksaw will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kaupens on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kaupens throws a body punch but Rocksaw moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Kaupens misses the target.
Ansis Kaupens is winning the standup battle so far.
Kaupens throws an off balance right hand
and Rocksaw counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A shot to the body from Rocksaw misses
and Kaupens counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kaupens takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kaupens looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Rocksaw lands a leg kick that knocks Kaupens off balance momentarily.
Rocksaw gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ansis Kaupens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kaupens lands an overhand right.
Kaupens paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kaupens scores with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocksaw tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kaupens paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kaupens's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kaupens duly obliges.
Kaupens on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Rocksaw defending well as Kaupens loads up on a big left hand.
Rocksaw throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kaupens throws a right and a left that Rocksaw avoids nicely.
Kaupens throws an overhand right that lands on Rocksaw's shoulder, as Rocksaw tries to avoid the shot.
Kaupens looks to score with a jab to the body but Rocksaw is just out of range.

Rocksaw shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rocksaw in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rocksaw throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rocksaw scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kaupens keeping moving, preventing Rocksaw from controlling successfully.
Rocksaw won't allow Kaupens to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocksaw trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rocksaw wants to control from the top but Kaupens keeps moving.

Kaupens pushes Rocksaw off and gets back to his feet.
Kaupens throws a shot from downtown. Rocksaw moves away and avoids it.
Kaupens on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Rocksaw takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kaupens with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kaupens fails to land with a series of punches.
Rocksaw only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Kaupens misses with a hook.
Rocksaw ducks under a wild hook from Kaupens.
Rocksaw with the inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocksaw ducks under a wild hook from Kaupens.
Kaupens throws a body shot but no joy.
Kaupens is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Kaupens misses with a hook
and Rocksaw counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kaupens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rocksaw changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Rocksaw throws a leg kick which misses Kaupens's front leg but catches the back leg as Kaupens tries to avoid it.
Kaupens throws an off balance right hand
and Rocksaw counters with a straight right hand.
Kaupens jabs Rocksaw to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rocksaw tries to clinch
and Kaupens cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kaupens misses with an uppercut. Rocksaw saw that one coming.
Rocksaw lands a jab-cross combination.

A jab-cross combination lands for Rocksaw and sends Kaupens crashing to the mat! Rocksaw follows him down to the mat - Kaupens regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

Kaupens is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rocksaw wants to pass to mount but Kaupens is defending the position.
Oh Kaupens is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kaupens manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Rocksaw keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Kaupens seems to have got his legs back now.
Kaupens tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rocksaw throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kaupens is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rocksaw using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kaupens has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kaupens lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kaupens wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nice body punch from Rocksaw - that landed with a thud.
Kaupens tries to break the clinch but Rocksaw is controlling the position.
Kaupens misses with a short punch on the inside.

Kaupens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rocksaw lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kaupens's sensitive parts.
Kaupens looks to land a combination but Rocksaw avoids it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Good standup being displayed there by Kaupens as he connects with a hook.
A jab from Rocksaw does it's job there.
Rocksaw connects with an inside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ramone Rocksaw will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Rocksaw moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kaupens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rocksaw swings widly with a right hand
and Rocksaw takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rocksaw throws a looping overhand right but Kaupens ducks down to avoid it.
A counter left hand to the body from Kaupens misses its target.
Kaupens throws a hook but Rocksaw avoids it easily.
Kaupens uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rocksaw has time to react.

Rocksaw has Kaupens up against the cage in a clinch.
Kaupens lands with a short punch from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kaupens manages to break the clinch.
Kaupens scores with a hook.
Kaupens works over Rocksaw's head and body with a nice combination.

Rocksaw is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rocksaw misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Kaupens. Those never looked like landing.
Nice defenses there by Rocksaw.
Rocksaw misses with a lunging right hand
and Kaupens makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kaupens throws an off balance right hand
and Rocksaw counters with a stiff right hand.
Kaupens throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rocksaw defending well as Kaupens loads up on a big left hand.
Kaupens displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kaupens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kaupens misses the shot to the body.
Kaupens throws a sloppy body shot
and Rocksaw counters with a low kick, right behind Kaupens 's knee.
Kaupens works Rocksaw's body with a nice hook.
Rocksaw listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ramone Rocksaw is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rocksaw gets a clinch.
Rocksaw blocks a body shot from Kaupens.
Rocksaw tries a knee to the head but Kaupens blocks it.
Kaupens tries a body shot but Rocksaw blocks it.

Rocksaw has clasped his hands together around Kaupens's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Kaupens wants to get back to his feet but Rocksaw drags him back down.
Rocksaw cracks Kaupens with a big elbow.
Rocksaw in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kaupens is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Rocksaw has just dragged him back down to the mat.
A lull in the action here.
Check out the look on Rocksaw's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rocksaw controlling the position from side mount.
Rocksaw landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocksaw trying to control the action but Kaupens is working from the bottom.
Rocksaw looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kaupens is avoiding damage well.
Rocksaw cracks Kaupens with a big right hand but Kaupens just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Kaupens tries to escape but Rocksaw is in control.
Rocksaw landing strikes.
Rocksaw in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Kaupens tries to escape but Rocksaw is in control.
Rocksaw in side control lands a decent elbow.
Rocksaw works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Rocksaw has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Kaupens throws Rocksaw to one side and escapes!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Kaupens misses the target.
Rocksaw swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ansis Kaupens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kaupens lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rocksaw lands a front kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rocksaw connects with a nice looking jab.
Kaupens steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rocksaw.
A little feinted left hand from Kaupens on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Rocksaw - that will leave a mark!
Kaupens throws a combination that misses
and Rocksaw counters with a stiff right hand.
Rocksaw lands a nice shot that snaps Kaupens's head back.
Kaupens throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rocksaw counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kaupens digs a good body shot into Rocksaw's ribs.
Rocksaw lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ramone Rocksaw.
I've got Rocksaw 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ramone Rocksaw!
An intense looking Ramone Rocksaw took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'Always gonna KO this guy'.