PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Curtis Rome (ranked 922 p4p, 1224 weight class) and Zee Land (ranked 123 p4p, 163 weight class). Land is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by For Heavy Metal we will die!. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Rome
vs
Land

170 cm
30
160
16 - 17 - 3

187 cm
33
162
25 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Uncle Rufus Clothing .Co

Conviction

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 16 - 17 - 3, fighting out of Amsterdam, Curtis Rome!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zee Land!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Thiago Cunha and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Land throws a quick inside leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Land.
A nice inside leg kick there by Land. That's going to slow Rome down.
Land ducks under a wild hook from Rome.
Decent striking displayed by Land there.
Land throws a head kick that misses.
Land tries a head kick but it misses.
Rome checks a leg kick.
Land throws a leg kick
and Rome connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Donk. Land catches Rome right on the button with a cross.
Good leg kick by Land.
Rome takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Land tries a low kick but Rome avoids it.
Rome takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Land throws a leg kick which misses Rome's front leg but catches the back leg as Rome tries to avoid it.
Land plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
We've been hearing reports that Rome has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Land throws a quick inside leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Land.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Land walks into a stiff left hand from Rome.
Zee Land seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Land connects with a solid leg kick.
Land lands with a shot to the body.
Rome checks the leg kick nicely there.
Zee Land is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice cross by Rome.
Land scores with the left hand. Rome knows he should have avoided that one.
An inside leg kick lands from Land.
Land connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rome has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Land finds it's way round the side to connect with Rome's head.
Land lands a head shot.
Sloppy strikes from Land. Those never looked like landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rome shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Land as he jumps to the side.
A swing and a miss from Land.
Land stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Land wants it to stay on the feet.
Land throws a leg kick which misses Rome's front leg but catches the back leg as Rome tries to avoid it.
Land tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rome slips under a jab from Land.
Land is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Land throws a leg kick which misses Rome's front leg but catches the back leg as Rome tries to avoid it.

Rome scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Rome is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Rome is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Rome is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Land has managed to free his arm - good work.
Land wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Land won't allow Rome to pass to mount.
Rome uses his free foot to push down on Land's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Land.
Rome prevents Land from getting the reversal.

Rome goes for an armbar but Land turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Land.

Rome looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Land trying to control the position from guard on top but Rome is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Land trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rome is looking for a triangle but Land pushes his legs off easily.
Land wants to control from the top but Rome keeps moving.
Land is working Rome over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Rome has an active guard here but Land has managed to pass into half guard.
Rome trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Land manages to pass to mount!
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Land working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Rome regains half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zee Land dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rome takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rome works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Land keeps the fight on the outside.
Land stuffs the takedown.
Land feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Romes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A shot to the liver by Land. Beautiful body shot.
Land uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rome swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Land misses with a low kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rome or perhaps it was just good defense by Land, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rome tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Land connects with an inside leg kick.
Rome gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
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!
Land scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rome checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Land has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rome's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Land connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Rome scrambles back to his feet.
Rome gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Land connects with a body shot that sends Rome's belly button to the back.
Rome avoids the head kick by Land.
Land dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Land throws a one two combo.
Land connects with a solid leg kick.
Rome tries a head kick but it misses.
Rome shoots in looking for a takedown. Land tries to sprawl out of it but Rome keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Land manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curtis Rome. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A good leg kick by Land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rome misses with a takedown attempt - Land sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Land scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Land fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Land throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Land throws a quick inside leg kick.
Land scores with a jab.

Rome closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rome wants to take a breather but Land is having none of it.
Rome wants to free his trapped foot but Land is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Curtis Rome overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Rome is working for a submission of some sort.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rome passes to full mount!

Rome goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Land turns into him and now he's in Rome's guard.

Rome throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rome keeping moving, preventing Land from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rome is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Land keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rome's head.

Rome working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Land doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Land manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Land must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Rome has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Land can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Land passes Rome's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zee Land showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Rome's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Decent striking displayed by Land there.
Land has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A big right from Rome misses.
Rome chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Land can pounce on him.
Land tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rome is able to avoid easily.
Rome shoots in looking for a takedown. Land tries to sprawl out of it but Rome keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Land manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rome shoots in for a takedown but Land shows good takedown defense.

Rome shoots in and gets a takedown into Land's guard.
Rome trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rome wants to control from the top but Land keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rome tries to free his leg and advance position but Land is retaining full guard.
Rome pushes down on Land's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Rome tries to pass to full mount but Land defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Land manages to get to full guard.
Land tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Land looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rome slips nicely into half guard.
Land wants to get back to full guard.

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.

Rome seems to be looking for submissions.

Rome seems to be working for a kimura but Land defends the submission attempt.

Rome is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Land is just riding it out for now. Rome eventually gives up the hold.
Rome throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Land wants to improve his position but Rome is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rome seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Land does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rome moves nicely into side control.

Rome goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Land has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Rome but great work by Land.
Land lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Rome tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Land wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Land taking a breather here.
Curtis Rome has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rome sneaks back into half guard.
Rome is refusing to be controlled, as Land sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rome moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Land stopping the sweep attempt from Rome.
Land scoring with punches to the head and body.
Land is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Land pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rome is keeping the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rome looking for a sweep. Not yet Rome, not yet.

Rome looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Land passes into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Zee Land.
I've got Land 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zee Land!
During a confident post fight interview, Zee Land thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.